Season 1: 2009–10

Con artist, master forger, and criminal extraordinaire Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) escapes from prison to find Kate, the woman he loves (Alexandra Daddario), only to end up behind bars again. He strikes up a deal with Peter Burke (Tim DeKay), the FBI agent who put him there, and together they take an unconventional route in tracking down a criminal known as "The Dutchman" (Mark Sheppard). Also introduced is Neal's trusted friend, MOZzie (Willie Garson), a fellow con-man with extensive knowledge about everything. Neal uses his new position in the FBI to find clues that will eventually lead him to Kate, the man with the ring, and the truth.

Season 2: 2010–11

A routine bond theft escalates into an attempted murder when Neal is unknowingly hired to kill the assigned insurance investigator, Sara Ellis (Hilarie Burton), the same woman who had testified against him regarding his alleged theft of a Raphael painting a few years earlier. Meanwhile, Neal and MOZzie investigate the jet's wreckage, concluding that the jet was rigged to explode midair, but was detonated early by someone. They manage to have the cockpit's voice recorder sent to the insurance company Sterling Bosch, under the care of Sara Ellis. After taking the impostor who ordered the hit on Sara, Neal tries to recover the package from her apartment, but is interrupted by an assassination attempt by the real assassin, who is subsequently captured by Peter and his team.

Season 3: 2011–12

Elizabeth escapes from Keller through a combination of FBI diligence and her own cleverness. Meanwhile, as a delaying tactic, Peter, Neal and MOZzie arrange to have the treasure surrounded by an unsuspecting NYPD, and must work with Keller to get it away from them.

Season 4: 2012–13

Neal is contacted again by his old acquaintance and fellow thief Alex, who is being investigated by the FBI in relation to a heist for which Neal is arrested. Peter furthers his covert investigation of "Sam" behind Neal when Neal receives a suspicious package from Ellen delivered by the Marshalls. Alex is in town on more business, which causes some rifts between Peter, Neal, and MOZzie.