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Scam Victim Turns Movie Star

Jerry Hsu, a retired engineer living in Florida, receives a phone call from someone claiming to be his cellphone provider. They are threatening to cut off his service because the Shanghai Police Depar

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Taylor Swift Fans Targeted in Concert Ticket Scams

Lisa is an avid concertgoer with extensive experience buying and selling tickets online. So when pop megastar Taylor Swift announces she’s coming to town, Lisa is determined to find the highly sought-

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Garbage Into Gold’ Ponzi Scheme

Wayde McKelvy and Troy Wragg stir up enthusiasm for their company, Mantria, and a green energy revolution they promise in the form of a product called “biochar.” Their “garbage to gold” scheme attract

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Archive Episode: The Hidden World of Psychic Scams, Part 2

In Part 2 of this 2019 episode, after losing her job and breaking up with her boyfriend in the same day, a distraught Debra pays a visit to a psychic. Little does Debra know that the shop is part of a

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Archive Episode: The Hidden World of Psychic Scams, Part 1

In this 2019 episode, Debra is a divorced mother and ballroom dancer who travels between her home in Florida and New York to train with her dance partner. When Debra loses her part-time job in New Yor

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A Reality TV Star’s Telemarketing Scheme

Hoping to build her hobby into a business, Penny takes an online training coursein social media marketing. After this initial small investment, she is flooded with calls from companies selling differe

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98. The Lottery Lawyer (Jason Kurland)

A attorney specializing in lottery winnings rips off those who entrusted him. Prelude: Winning the lottery ruins Billie Bob Harrell Jr.'s

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1310: Love and Taxes (plus Stalker update)

The IRS knocked on John Coutu's door, demanding Mitchell, his girlfriend, offered to handle John's taxes. At first glance, it seemed like a simple act of love. Little did he know that

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1312: Love and Taxes (plus Stalker update)

The IRS knocked on John Coutu's door, demanding Mitchell, his girlfriend, offered to handle John's taxes. At first glance, it seemed like a simple act of love. Little did he know that

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Up In Arms, from Alphabet Boys

This week, we’re sharing an episode of Alphabet Boys. Alphabet Boys takes you inside secret investigations that the FBI, DEA, CIA, and other alphabet agencies never wanted the public to know about. Th

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An Old Scam Is Making a Comeback: Check Washing

Consumers write far fewer checks than they did in the past, so it may seem surprising that the once-common crime of check washing is making a dramatic comeback. Criminals steal a check out of the mail

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97. The Jeweler (Nicolas Shaughnessy)

A popular Austin, Texas, jeweler is murdered in his home on the same day a serial bomber begins terrorizing the city. Prelude: Erik Charles Maund reacts to an extortion

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DEA Impostor Steals Montana Woman’s Life Savings

Retiree Susan moves from California to a beautiful Victorian home in Montana to be closer to her son and his growing family. One day, Susan notices some unusual charges from her Amazon account. She ta

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Team of Women Takes Down Serial Romance Scammer, Part 2

Derek Alldred has spent decades using fake identities to date and steal money from hundreds of women around the country. He’s been arrested numerous times on fraud charges, but Derek skips town as soo

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1309: The Pale-Faced Lie part 2

Previously on PRETEND, we heard the story of David Crow and his criminal father, Thurston. In today's episode, we delve deeper into The Pale-Faced Lie, a memoir about growing up as his father's acco

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Team of Women Takes Down Serial Romance Scammer, Part 1

After her divorce, Linda decides to take a chance on online dating. She’s pleasantly surprised to make an instant connection with a man named Rich. He’s handsome, charismatic and has an impressive rés

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Wondery & Bloomberg Present - Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried

When nerdy gamer Sam Bankman-Fried rocketed to fame as the world’s richest 29-year-old, he pledged to donate his billions to good causes. But when Sam's crypto exchange FTX collapsed, billions of doll

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96. The Islanders (John Spano)

A fledgling Long Island professional hockey team is revived when sold to a Texas-based con artist. Prelude: William Boots Del Biaggio III purchases a minority stake in the Nashville

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1308: The Pale-Faced Lie part 1

David Crow says he was his father's criminal accomplice.In today's episode, we delve into the extraordinary story of David Crow, author of the book titled The Pale-Faced Lie. It's the story of a fat

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1307: The Stalker - Fly on the Wall (bonus)

Imagine being a fly on the wall at the Fernandez house. What are they like? What do they talk about? Who in that house is capable of sending such disgusting messages?If only we could talk to someone w

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Bonus: Catphishing the Catphisher’ with David Etue

In this bonus episode, Bob sits down with David Etue, CEO of Nisos, The Managed Intelligence Company®, to discuss a fascinating study his team recently conducted to learn more about criminal online ac

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George Santos & The Harbor City Capital Ponzi Scheme (THE PONZI PLAYBOOK)

The Ponzi Playbook: Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through t

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95. The Captive (SeaWorld)

Tragedy at a marine animal amusement park illuminates the issues surrounding keeping killer whales in captivity. Prelude: A campaign to save Keiko, the orca whale star of 'Free

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Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 2

In part 2, a call from Reuters journalist Brian Grow confirms Diana’s worst fears about what really happened to her stepfather’s remains. As Brian digs deeper into the story, the truth he uncovers abo

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Introducing 'Foretold'

Foretold is the newest podcast from the L.A. Times, and we're sharing a preview of the first episode with you here today.In the fall of 2019, reporter Faith E. Pinho received a tip from a woman name

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1305: The Stalker - In Time You'll Get the Truth (Bonus)

This podcast series on the stalker case has captured the attention of many listeners, making it one of the most talked-about series on PRETEND. Some listeners have even listened to it multiple times,

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Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 1

Planning a loved one’s burial or cremation is a difficult experience under the best of circumstances. When Diana’s stepfather, Cactus, gets sick during the early stages of Alzheimer’s and sees a billb

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1304: The Cuban Spy part 2

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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Real Estate Company Accused of Preying on Philadelphia Homeowners, Part 2

In part 2, Philadelphia homeowners fight to be released from their 40-year contracts with MV Realty. Complaints from all over the city and the state reach the Pennsylvania attorney general, who files

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1303: The Cuban Spy part 1

You've probably never heard the name Ana Montes because the FBI arrested her just ten days after 9/11. Ana Montes, I believe, was one of the most dangerous American spies, period. And I would argue,

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94. The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau)

A series of infomercials lands a TV pitchman in federal The founder of Hooked on Phonics is criticized over dubious advertising claims before he settles a sexual assault lawsuit with h

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Real Estate Company Accused of Preying on Philadelphia Homeowners, Part 1

Wayde McKelvy and Troy Wragg stir up enthusiasm for their company, Mantria, and a green energy revolution they promise in the form of a product called “biochar.” Their “garbage to gold” scheme attract3