Factual entertainment series about scams and cons. The team show an identity theft scam where hustlers use items found in the rubbish to obtain credit cards in a victim's name. They also use some convincing sob stories to relieve punters of their spare change and demonstrate how a hustler can confuse a shopkeepers into giving them far too much change. The participants featured in The Real Hustle have either been set up by their family and friends or believe that they are participating in another television programme. After they have been hustled for real any monies or property taken during the hustle are returned to them and their consent for the item to be broadcast is obtained so that viewers can avoid being ripped off by the same scam.