He’s playing a “long game.” According to Wikipedia: A “long con” or “big con” (also, chiefly British English: long game) is a scam that unfolds over several days or weeks; it may involve a team of swindlers, and even props, sets, extras, costumes, and scripted lines. It aims to rob the victim of a huge amount of money or other valuables, often by getting them to empty out banking accounts and borrow from family members. A good example of this was “The Sting” (1973) with Redford and Newman.
For my feelings, see Harry’s War (1981) starring Edward Herrmann, Geraldine Page, David Ogden Stiers, and Elisha Cook Jr. Here’s a quote from the movie:
Harry Johnson: If I was accused of murder I would have more legal rights than I know what to do with. But when the IRS audits you, they make you think you don’t have any rights at all. They make their own laws. And they administer them, and they enforce them, and they prosecute them, and they judge them. All that power in one place, boy. Hitler would have loved the IRS. So would Napoleon and Caesar, they’d understand it. I don’t.
It’s possible that IS Charlie Brown’s vest… they look to be about the same size!