There are some r'soles around, nothing like a good preflight.
I recall around 20 yes ago, the owner of a C210 got airborne only t o discover he had control problems. He landed safely and when trying to determine the source of the control problems found damage to the elevator.
The aircraft had been x hired to a charter company and the last pilot, a CPL in his 20's, landed short and hit a cone marker doing the damage. So as not to get in trouble he didn't say a word.
A year or so prior he took off with the undercarriage selected up, in a C210 again with the inevitable result. The federal cops paid myself and another person a visit advising that the pilot suspected one of us had selected the gear up.
He got caught out twice, and I think isnow employed by Jetstar.
Do a good preflight and be aware that not every one you meet is honorable, some are purely evil.