Another explanation would be "assumed due diligence". It's the assumption that someone else has already confirmed the veracity of the situation. Once the "off

Another explanation would be "assumed due diligence". It's the assumption that someone else has already confirmed the veracity of the situation. Once the "officer" had the first group of dupes in tow, he appeared legitimate to the second and third groups of people he encountered. Using this approach, you parley the deception of each subsequent group of people into one spectacular overall ruse.