Scams, Hacks and Frauds: Protecting your family from Internet Scams, Con Artists and Cybercrime
A true crime podcast about Scams, Hacking and Fraud. Real stories of Con Artists, Romance Scams and Identity theft, and the red flags that keep your family safe.By listening to our stories and sharing them with your friends and family, you can be better protected against Scammers, Fraudsters and Hackers. Each week, you and your loved ones can learn the red flags of a scam or fraud attempt by listening to a true-crime story in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee, helping keep you and your loved ones safe from an Internet Scam or Con ar...
Sam Bankman-Fried: The FTX Crypto Fraud That Wasn't Quite a Ponzi Scheme
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, where we retell tales of true crime fraudsters and scams. This week we're looking at Sam Bankman-Fried, the crypto wunderkind whose FTX exchange collapsed in November 2022, leaving more than a million customers unable to get their money out.
The son of two Stanford law professors, SBF went from Bitcoin arbitrage to running one of the world's biggest crypto exchanges, with Super Bowl ads, celebrity endorsements and a penthouse in the Bahamas. Behind the scenes, his hedge fund Alameda Research had a secret overdraft on...
Charles Ponzi, the man behind the Ponzi Scheme (Archive Show)
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, where we retell tales of true crime fraudsters and scams. This week we're looking at one of the big grandaddies of the Scam world: The Ponzi Scheme.
In this archive show, we delve into the world of Ponzi schemes, using the infamous Charles Ponzi as our guide. Discover how these fraudulent schemes operate and the subtle ways you might inadvertently become entangled in one. We explore the fascinating story of Charles Ponzi, who in 1919, turned a seemingly innocent idea into a financial nightmare, promising...
Jen Shah: The Real Scammer of Salt Lake City
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They called her a Real Housewife of Salt Lake City. She called herself the Wizard of Oz. But from 2023 to 2025, they called her an inmate.
This week on Scams, Hacks and Frauds, we tell the true story of Jen Shah, the RHOSLC star who spent nearly a decade at the centre of a nationwide telemarketing fraud. The scheme targeted thousands of victims, many of them over 55, with worthless "business coaching" and online business services. Jennifer Shah pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 78 months in...
Hacked Account Lawsuits - Jeff's Real Life Story - Scams, Hacks & Frauds
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When hackers hijack your social media accounts, the company you trust to protect you might just lock you out instead. This week, we sit down with Jeff, a retired attorney whose business and personal Facebook accounts were hacked — putting 14 years of memories, a small-town Indiana writing project, and his family's book business at risk.
Jeff walks us through:
How the hack was discovered via a suspicious Facebook password-reset emailFacebook's refusal to help — even while the hacker kept using his business page to advertise robotics productsWhy Jeff, after 11 months of ston...Phishing Delivery Texts stealing Thousands - How a Hack turns into scam, then fraud
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In this episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds we cover a story that starts with a hack, moves on to a Scam, and ends up in Fraud.
You've probably received a Text message telling you that you need to update details for a delivery or pay some extra charges, but a lot of the time these messages are fake phishing attempts trying to steal your details.
You've probably wondered just how these scammers get your phone number. Well the truth is stranger than fiction, your number might be ta...
Streaming Box Scam: How Cheap TV Boxes Let Hackers In
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Have you seen an advertisement for one of those cheap streaming boxes that promises access to literally everything, even premium sports content for free once you've bought the box? Well, if you bought one, once you've listened to this episode, I promise you're going to want to rip it out... These are real life Trojan Horses.
These "Superboxes", or "Bad Boxes", allow hackers to take over your internet connection and steal your data, your employer's data, and may even eavesdrop on your conversations.... and engage in "click fraud" to enrich o...
The Greatest Identity Theft Story | William Woods' Real Life Fraud
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This week on Scams Hacks and Frauds, we have the greatest, most astounding identity fraud case you've ever heard. How a man had his entire identity stolen for 30 years, and when he tried to get it back, found himself not just behind bars, but in a mental institution, has the fraudster insisted that William Woods - our victim - was in fact trying to engage in Identity Fraud.
We promise you no matter how bad you think it is, this story is worse.
We'll cover how William discovered t...
Romance Scam Victim In Prison (Updated Archive Show)
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Cee is having some production issues this week, so we're updating a Romance Scam story we told you this time last year. Romance scams are some of the nastiest scams out there, as they play on your heartstrings, allowing people to lose their savings to a Scammer, or in this case, something much, much worse.
Donna, a Grandmother from Western Australia, was on her first international trip, off to meet the person she believed was the love of her life in Japan. Donna knew her scammer, or thought she did, as...
Timeshare Recovery Scams
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Think you've escaped your timeshare nightmare? Think again. This episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds exposes a devastating timeshare recovery scam operation that targeted timeshare owners not once, but multiple times over — proving that falling for one scam can make you a target for many more.
What You'll Learn:
The bait: How "Williams and Burns," posing as a real estate broker, lured timeshare owners with false promises of $2,100/week rental income — for a $1,899+ "membership fee"The false urgency trick: Fake conventions and...Scammy Sales Tactics & Timeshares
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Sales Tactics You Need to Know... and are Timeshares a Scam?
Have you ever felt pressured into buying something you didn't want? In this episode of Scams, Hacks and Frauds, we expose the manipulative sales tactics used by scammers — and high-pressure salespeople — so you can protect yourself.
In this episode we cover:
Objection handling — the scammer's secret weapon. Learn how salespeople and fraudsters are trained to dismantle every reason you give for saying no, and why "no" is all you need to say...Scamming Travel Agents and Travel insurance Fraud
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Are you planning a trip this summer? Travel scams and travel fraud are more common than you think — and in this episode of Scams, Hacks and Frauds, we expose two real cases that could save your holiday.
Travel Fraud Case 1 — The Travel Agent in a Ponzi Scam:
Lynn Barlow ran one of the most audacious travel fraud schemes in recent UK history. Posing as a legitimate travel agent, Lynn scammed customers out of holidays they'd already paid for, running a Ponzi-style fraud that ultimately stole up to £2.6 milli...
Pig Butchering Scams: Inside the scam Call Centres Forcing victims into Fraud
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This week, Scams, Hacks and Frauds asks what really goes on inside an Internet scam call centre? This week we go deep into the pig butchering scam industry — and the shocking truth that many of the people running these internet scams are themselves victims.
We tell the story of a chef who travelled to Southeast Asia looking for work and found himself trafficked into a scam call centre in Myanmar, forced to run pig butchering scams against his will; and a Chinese actor lured to Myanmar by a fa...
Tech Support Scams - Scammer Jailed for Debit Card Fraud
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Fake Tech Support scams cost their victims billions every year. This week on Scams, Hacks and Frauds we look into these scams, we'll tell you just how they trick you into thinking there really are problems with your computer.. But we wont stop there. We'll tell you the story of Fraudster Michael Cotter, who ran these tech support scams, and how he used fraudulent debit card transctions to keep his scam in business. We'll then tell you how you can keep yourself safe from these scams.
Tech support scams typically tar...
Work-From-Home Job Scams | Employment Fraud Red Flags
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On Scams, Hacks and Frauds this week, we take you deep into a real employment scam. What promised to be a dream work-from-home job turned out not just a nightmare but a full-on scam, with money laundering on top. If you're looking for work or thinking about changing jobs, make sure you listen for red flags.
And to help us find those fraud red flags, we're going to speak to Steven Rothberg from College Recruiter. Steven helps people find their first jobs and is an expert on navigating the employment mar...
What is Money Laundering? Why is it used in Scams and Fraud?
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds. Do you have a strange shop or restaurant in your town that no-one goes to but never seems to close down? That might be a front for Money Laundering.
This episode we're taking a step out of our story episodes, as it occured to Cee that although we talk about Money Laundering a lot on the show, we've never really given a good explanation on what Money Laundering is, how it works, and why Scams and Fraud usually result in criminals having to go th...
Fake Music, Fraudulent Listeners, Real Prison Time: Spotify Scammed For Millions
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds! In this episode, we dive deep into a fascinating true crime story about a sophisticated scam operation where Michael Smith was convicted of fraud related to fake listeners streaming AI-generated music on Spotify. This scam netted millions, exposing serious vulnerabilities in the music streaming industry.
You'll learn how this scam worked, why it matters to you, and why protecting your accounts with strong passwords is essential—even for seemingly harmless platforms. This case is just one example of how scams and fraud continue to evo...
Scamming As A Service - The Tale of a Phishing Fraud Kit Mastermind.
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds. Have you ever wondered how Scammers get your information? Have you seen those ads that tell you how easy it is to get your business online? What if I told you that setting up a trap to steal information like names, passwords, and banking details is just that easy?
Ollie Holman is big in that business, except he won't sell you a website for your personal blog, or to take your small business online.... No, he sells websites that mimic other websites to steal you...
Voter Fraud: True Threat or Just a Scam
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Is voter fraud a widespread problem or a manufactured crisis? In this eye-opening episode, we expose the truth about voter fraud statistics, explore real-world cases of election fraud, and reveal how strict voter ID laws may be the real scam targeting voters.
We'll tell you about some real-life cases of voter fraud to show just how hard it is, look at the numbers to see just how many votes might be thrown out by making the rules too strict, and provide you with some great tips on how to make...
Gift Card Fraud Exposed: How a 3 Man Scam Ring Was Stopped While Retailers Fail to Act
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds! In today's episode, we dive deep into a fascinating true crime story about a notorious gift card fraud ring of three Chinese nationals in the US. This group spent tens of thousands of dollars daily on tech gadgets at major retailers using fraudulently obtained gift cards.
Join us as we follow one of their shopping trips, uncover how their operation was eventually stopped, and reveal the shocking details uncovered during the arrest.
We also explore why many retailers fail to de...
Is PayPal Honey a Scam?
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds, where we explore real life fraud and hacking stories. This week we ask Is PayPal Honey a scam?
Discover the shocking fraud allegations against PayPal Honey in this deep dive into affiliate marketing scams. Learn how the Honey scam allegedly uses cookie stuffing fraud to steal commissions from content creators.
We expose the hidden fraud mechanics behind this controversial browser extension, examine the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act violations claimed in court, and reveal how PayPal Honey sca...
Buying a Lordship or Ladyship: Scam or Legit Life Hack?
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds, where we explore real life fraud and hacking stories. This week, we ask if buying a Lordship is a legitimate life hack or just another scam.
Have you come across ads or videos promising to make you a Scottish Lord or Lady? Many wonder if these offers are just fun gifts or outright scams. In this episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we dive into the true crime behind these claims and explore whether buying a lordship or ladyship is a scam or a cl...
Ponzi Scam Fraudster David Gentile Freed After Trump Commutes Sentence
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds, where we recount True Crime Scam, Fraud and Hacking stories.
We round out 2025 with a shocking true crime news update: US President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of David Gentile, the fraudster behind a massive $1.6 billion Ponzi scam. This elaborate fraud siphoned investors' savings over four years, fueling Gentile's extravagant lifestyle, which included Ferraris and lavish parties. We'll go over the key events in this scheme and try to explore the controversial decision to let Gentile walk free, and try to make sense of...
Charles Ponzi's Scam: The Classic Fraud That Is Still Around Today
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, where we retell tales of true crime fraudsters and scams. This week we're looking at one of the big grandaddies of the Scam world: The Ponzi Scheme.
We delve into the world of Ponzi schemes, using the infamous Charles Ponzi as our guide. Discover how these fraudulent schemes operate and the subtle ways you might inadvertently become entangled in one. We explore the fascinating story of Charles Ponzi, who in 1919, turned a seemingly innocent idea into a financial nightmare, promising investors extraordinary returns while...
Why Do Scams And Hacks Ask For Bitcoin?
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Weclome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds where we follow true crime scam and hack stories. This week we ponder "Why do Scams and Hacks ask for bitcoin?".
We explore the dark underbelly of cryptocurrency and how unsuspecting individuals can become entwined in complex fraud schemes. Meet Jian Wren, a resilient woman who, after enduring years of hardship, finds herself caught in a web of deceit involving a criminal mastermind and Bitcoin.
Jian's journey takes us from her struggles as a single mother in the UK to her unexpected r...
Virtual Kidnapping Scams: A True Crime Nightmare
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds, where we retell true crime scam stories. This week we delve into Virtual Kidnappings, something that is every parent's nightmare.
Virtual kidnapping scams are a terrifying new form of fraud that can affect any family. In this episode, we dive into Jennifer DeStafano's true crime nightmare — a shocking scam where fraudsters use AI to replicate a child's voice, making it sound like they've been kidnapped to extort money.
Using AI-generated voices ourselves, we recreate the chilling threats Jennifer received while her...
Hack Alert: 6 Million victims at risk as outsourcer hacked - What you can do to minimise your chances of being a hacking victim
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds, where we look at true crime hacking stories. Your data may have already been taken by hackers who have infiltrated a company responsible for the pensions of millions.
Join us as we uncover a staggering data breach affecting over 6 million individuals, stemming from a major hack of outsourcing giant Capita. You may not have heard of Capita, but chances are you've interacted with their services without even realising it. From managing pensions to handling customer service for numerous companies, Capita holds sensitive data on c...
NFC Card Payment Fraud: How Scammers Exploit Contactless Technology
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Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds, where True Crime stories about Scams and Hacks are our speciality. This week, we see both combined as a man sees his bank account robbed when his card details are stolen.
Join us as we delve into the harrowing experience of Ian Williams, a pensioner who found himself at the mercy of a sophisticated scam that drained his bank account. Imagine waking up to discover that $1,338 has been stolen from your account, only to be told by your bank that you are responsible for t...
Marianne Smith: Scam Queen Caught by a TV Producer
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This week on Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we unravel the web of deceit spun by Marianne Smith, a seemingly ordinary woman who became a master con artist. s we delve deeper into Marianne's life, we discover her connection with Jonathan, a television producer who unknowingly became embroiled in her schemes. Their friendship led to a series of shocking revelations, including Marianne's true identity and her history of manipulation. Jonathan's quest for the truth takes him down a dark path, revealing the extent of Marianne's fraudulent activities and the numerous victims she left...
Scan or Scam? - Is that QR code setting you up to get scammed? (Scams, Hacks and Frauds)
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This week on Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we dive into the alarming rise of QR code scams that are turning a once-innovative technology into a tool for fraud. Remember when QR codes were heralded as the future of convenience? Unfortunately, they have now become a gateway for scammers to exploit unsuspecting victims. Join us as we recount the cautionary tale of Sue from Thornaby, who thought she was simply paying for parking but ended up a victim of a sophisticated scam that cost her nearly £4,700.
Sue’s experience highlights how eas...
Love and Fraud: The Heartbreak of Romance Scams
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This week on Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we uncover the heart-wrenching reality of romance scams, where love can lead to devastating financial loss. Join us as we share the true story of Alison Peters, a British grandmother who fell victim to a fraudulent relationship, losing a staggering £120,000 to a man she believed was her soulmate.
Alison's journey begins amidst personal turmoil, seeking companionship online after a rocky marriage. What started as a hopeful connection with a man named Steve quickly spiralled into a nightmare, as he manipulated her emotions and fi...
Do Encryption backdoors benefit Hackers and Scammers? Governments Vs Privacy.
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In this week's episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we explore the nuanced relationship between encryption backdoors and the activities of hackers and scammers. With the rise of end-to-end encryption, user privacy is at the forefront of technology discussions. However, governments are increasingly pushing for access to encrypted data, raising concerns about whether this response is justified in the fight against fraud. We will look into controversial cases such as Apple’s defiance against UK government demands, examining the broader implications for personal data and how it could potentially create more opportunities fo...
How Safe Are Online ID Checks? Scam and Hack Insights
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Dive into the risks of online ID verification and how scammers exploit this process. We share real examples and expert hacks to keep your personal information safe from fraud and hacks.
In this episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we explore the new internet age verification laws and their implications for online safety and potential scams. With the UK's Online Safety Act 2023 now in effect and similar legal rules in Australia (Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024) the USA (including the alarming decision by the Supreme c...
Cyber Espionage and Identity Theft: Is your remote employee North Korean?
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This week on Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we delve into the chilling world of cyber espionage, where unsuspecting companies become pawns in a dangerous game orchestrated by North Korean operatives. Join us as we unravel the harrowing tale of Christina Chapman, a woman who found herself entangled in an illegal operation that exploited her desperation to care for her ailing mother.
Tune in for a riveting episode that not only highlights the personal cost of scams but also provides essential safety tips for safeguarding your own information in an increasingly d...
VPNs: Protection from hacks or just a scam?
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This week on Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we take a pause from our true crime stories and instead take a deep dive into the true crime world of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to separate fact from fiction in the realm of online security. Are VPNs truly essential in protecting yourself from hacks and fraud, or are they just another marketing gimmick? Join us as we explore the two main types of VPNs, examining how they function from enhancing your internet security to enabling remote work connections.
We dissect the claims mad...
Romance Scam Victim in foriegn prison - Police won't look for the scammer.
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A grandmother's life takes a harrowing turn as she finds herself imprisoned in a foreign country due to an elaborate international scam. In this gripping episode, we explore the tragic story of Donna Nelson, a victim caught in a web of deceit that led to her arrest for drug trafficking in Japan. Despite her efforts to protect herself, a single misstep in her online romance with a man named Kelly results in devastating consequences.
Join us as we unravel the details of Donna's relationship, her journey to meet Ke...
Is Booking.com a Booking.scam? Staying safe from Travel Fraud this summer.
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In the age of online bookings, planning a trip can be as easy as a few clicks. However, with convenience comes risk, especially when it comes to travel booking scams. In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into the alarming rise of fraud associated with popular booking platforms like booking.com.
Join us as we share the harrowing story of Dr. Lee Jones, who, while planning her dream wedding in Vietnam, fell victim to a sophisticated scam. After booking a hotel, she received a message that seemed legitimate, asking h...
SIM Swap Scam: Michael Terpin Loses $24 Million in a Day
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In this gripping episode, Cee unravels the shocking tale of a $24 million heist stemming from a SIM swap fraud that left victim Michael Terpin reeling. As we delve into the events of 2018, we discover how a 15-year-old hacker managed to reset Turpin's Gmail password and access his cryptocurrency logins, leading to an astonishing windfall.
Tune in as we discuss the ongoing implications of this fraud, including the broader risks associated with SIM swap scams and hacks. With practical tips on enhancing your online security, this episode is essential listening for a...
Scattered Spider Hack Qantas - Can Passwords really keep your account safe?
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Cee delves into the recent cyberattack on Australian airline Qantas, attributed to the notorious hacking group Scattered Spider.
Cee also provides practical advice on protecting personal information, emphasising the dangers of password reuse and the benefits of using private relay email services and changing your passwords for passkeys.
We (usually) publish new content every other Monday. The short time our episodes save your wallet, and help protect your family.
If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for...
Ghost Broker Fraud - The Car insurance Scam targeting young drivers
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Cee investigates the alarming rise of ghost brokers in the UK, a scam that leaves unsuspecting young drivers like 18-year-old Wayne Simpson in dire straits. After a car accident, Wayne discovers that his seemingly legitimate insurance policy is nothing but a facade, putting him at risk of severe legal consequences. Through Wayne's story, we unravel the deceptive tactics used by ghost brokers who lure vulnerable individuals with unrealistically low premiums, often leading to devastating outcomes.
Learn how to navigate the insurance landscape, verify brokers, and protect yourself from becoming the...
Quick Change Scam: How Con Artists Short-Change Cashiers
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In this enlightening episode, Cee takes us through the intricacies of a change rasing scam, breaking it down into manageable steps to help listeners recognise and avoid falling victim to this clever con. By role-playing as a scammer working against a shopkeeper, Cee demonstrates how a seemingly innocent transaction can quickly spiral into a deceptive scheme, leaving the unsuspecting victim out of pocket. With practical advice on how to protect yourself, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who uses or handles cash.
We (usually) publish new content every...
