I’ve been investigating the Melissa Witt case for a while now, and just

when I thought I had a handle on it, a new lead dropped into my lap. In

this episode, I sit down with Patti Rush, a victim advocate who might

have uncovered the most crucial evidence yet. We’re talking

about a case so warped by misinformation that even those

closest to it can’t tell what’s real anymore. But now, we’re pulling on a

thread that could unravel the whole story—and maybe, just maybe, lead

us to the truth about who really killed Melissa Witt.

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"Javier, aren't you worried that LaDonna might target you next?" That's the question I get asked most frequently. The answer is too late.

Even before this series dropped, LaDonna began sending me spoof emails. I've received various messages, including some from fake accounts, and even attempts to hack into my podcast platform. Additionally, LaDonna tried other creative ways to obstruct my investigation and stop the legitimate reporting of her abusive behavior toward others.

Fun, fun.

________

If you need an Intellectual Property attorney, I know a good one.

https://www.casimirjones.com/

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Every charity organization LaDonna Humphrey has led seems to collapse under the weight of controversy and financial mismanagement. Today, we're closely examining Oasis of Northwest Arkansas, a sober living facility under LaDonna's direction. Our investigation reveals alarming stories of harassment, financial mismanagement, and overcrowded, unsafe living conditions.

A former resident of Oasis shares her harrowing experience living at the facility. She recounts how donations intended for her baby shower were allegedly kept by LaDonna, leaving her without the promised support. Residents describe living in cramped conditions, with up to 15 women and children in a house meant for nine. Basic amenities like smoke detectors, working washers, and air conditioning are often missing or broken.

We'll also examine the nonprofit's questionable accounting practices. Oasis's financial records show suspicious entries, such as LaDonna working 65 hours per week for only $15,600 annually and unexplained professional fees amounting to $58,000.

LaDonna is accused of using intimidation tactics, such as threatening to kick out residents over minor infractions and enforcing arbitrary fines for damages— creating a culture of fear and control.

Call to Action:

If you're as concerned as we are about the allegations against Oasis of Northwest Arkansas, we urge you to take action. Contact the Arkansas Attorney General's Office at [email protected] or call 501-682-1306. You can also raise awareness by posting on social media with the hashtag #justiceforoasis.

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Every charity organization LaDonna Humphrey has led seems to collapse under the weight of controversy and financial mismanagement.

Today, we scrutinize LaDonna Humphrey's non-profit world, focusing on her troubled history with charities. Our investigation reveals a pattern of failed ventures, harassment accusations, and questionable financial practices.

______

I'd like to thank Jayson Blair with the Silver Linings Podcast for allowing me to use clips from his interview with LaDonna Humphrey.

Listen the Silver Linings Podcast: https://linktr.ee/silverliningshandbookpodcast

Also, referenced in this episode is the LaDonna Humphrey Talks Sub Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/LadonnaHumphreyTalk/

NEW EPISODES are available now:

Part 11

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/whos-afraid-of-108675318

PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend/id1245307962?i=1000663349553

Part 12

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/whos-afraid-of-108813124

PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend/id1245307962?i=1000664222141

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Content Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault.

Today, we're going to talk about the enigma that is LaDonna Humphrey. Like the fact that she was logged in under the same death fetish account, harassing her co-host, yet she denies creating the account. We'll also try to untangle how LaDonna went from attacking the death fetishers to befriending them. Or perhaps her plan to pin Missy Witt's murder on Daniel Watson despite having zero evidence.

Credits:

    Written and produced by Javier Leiva.

    Produced by Alison Byrne.

    Edited by Puneeth Shenoy.

    Theme music by Joel Basile with thechicken.net.

Referenced in this episode:

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/LadonnaHumphreyTalk

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To truly understand LaDonna Humphrey, we need to delve into her

childhood. In an exclusive interview, a family member describes the

years of harassing messages and relentless vendettas that have torn

their family apart. This episode sheds light on the deep-rooted

conflicts that have shaped LaDonna's tumultuous life.

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STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING! The LaDonna Humphrey interview episodes are in.

In this first part of my exclusive interview with LaDonna Humphrey, we dive deep into the accusations and controversies surrounding her. I confront LaDonna with the tough questions to unravel the intricate details of her story. We also hear from her supporters. Don't miss out on Part 2 of this interview, available now on Patreon and Pretend+ on Apple Podcasts.

Episode Highlights:

    -LaDonna's surprising reaction to my interview request

   - Confronting LaDonna about accusations related to Melissa Witt's case files and the River Valley Killer.

   - Hearing from LaDonna's supporters and their perspectives on the situation.

   - Discussing LaDonna's admissions about sending spoof messages and other allegations.

   - A deep dive into LaDonna's legal battles and contempt charges.

   - Addressing the evidence and LaDonna's strategy against the accusations.

Written and produced by: Javier Leiva

Producer: Alison Byrne

Editor: Puneeth Shenoy with the Podcast Pundits

Theme Music by: Joe Basile with The Chicken (thechicken.net)

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True Crime Author LaDonna Humphrey Targets Ex-Boyfriend in Melissa Witt Killing, According to Recordings

LaDonna Humphrey is accused of relentlessly pursuing Daniel Watson as a suspect in the unsolved murder of Melissa Witt. Watson, who has consistently maintained his innocence, claims he is being unfairly targeted by Humphrey, who is alleged to be driven by personal and financial motives.

Later in the episode, Julie Murray, whose sister Maura Murray disappeared in 2004, also had a contentious experience with Humphrey. Despite initial cooperation, Murray's family became wary of Humphrey's motives, leading to accusations of fabricated evidence and misrepresentation.

Follow Us:

    Twitter: @pretendpod

    Instagram: @pretendpodcast

    Facebook: Pretend Podcast

For more information and updates on Maura Murray's case, visit mauramurraymissing.org.

Today's episode was written and produced by Javier Leiva.

Producer: Alison Byrne

Editor: Puneeth Shenoy with the Podcast Pundits https://podcastpundits.com/

Theme Music: The Chicken https://www.thechicken.net/

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Old Flames Reignited: The Mysterious Return of LaDonna Humphrey in Allen Arson Case

LaDonna Humphrey, with a history marked by harassment allegations, emerges from the shadows 13 years later to entangle herself in the arson investigation of her former boss and preacher, Jon Allen. As the flames of the past reignite, investigators uncover a convoluted story of manipulation, embezzlement, and vindictiveness. Why has LaDonna returned after all these years to discredit the Allens, and what does this mean for the longstanding accusations against her? This episode revisits one of her earliest cases of alleged deceit and retribution.

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In part 3 of Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey, we explore the intense battle between Anthony Christopher and LaDonna. Anthony, LaDonna's former boss, shares his story of harassment, alleging LaDonna's relentless efforts to destroy his life and career. From sending spoof emails to unauthorized background checks, LaDonna's actions led to a legal showdown that landed her in jail for destroying evidence and contempt of court and awarded Anthony a multimillion-dollar judgment.

Highlights:

    [00:00:00] Anthony Christopher introduces his experience of feeling isolated as LaDonna's victim and discovering other victims.

    [00:02:00] Patti Rush speaks about finding empowerment after realizing she wasn't alone in being deceived by LaDonna.

    [00:03:00] Anthony details the start of his professional relationship with LaDonna and her swift dismissal from Absolute Pediatrics.

    [00:07:00] Nae Heintz discusses LaDonna's unauthorized background checks on colleagues.

    [00:15:00] Anthony recounts the beginning of the harassment and the steps he took to address it, including filing a lawsuit.

    [00:25:00] LaDonna admits to forwarding intimidating text messages under police questioning.

    [00:30:00] The judge finds LaDonna in contempt of court for evidence spoliation and orders her to serve jail time.

    [00:32:00] Anthony's attorney uncovers key phone records that contradict LaDonna's claims about her phone being stolen.

    [00:36:00] LaDonna's damaging actions lead to a $3.5 million judgment in Anthony's favor.

    [00:38:00] The broader impact of LaDonna's actions on other victims and the ongoing legal repercussions.

Part 4 is in the works. Please be patient as my team and I work through these next few episodes.

Follow Us:

    Twitter: @pretendpod

    Instagram: @pretendpodcast

    Facebook: Pretend Podcast

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In this episode, we explore the troubling allegations against LaDonna Humphrey surrounding the Melissa Witt case. Crime victim advocate Patti Rush shares her story, claiming that Humphrey, once seen as an ally, was actually behind years of harassment and deceit. From stolen evidence to questionable motives, we peel back the layers on a complicated figure.

Patti Rush, a dedicated crime victim advocate, shares her experiences and evidence, suggesting that Humphrey, who was once seen as a supportive ally, may have been orchestrating years of harassment and deceit. We'll discuss stolen evidence, questionable motives, and the broader implications for the true crime community.

Highlights:

• [00:01:00] Alicia Lockhart's story of being tormented by "Fetish Master" and the shocking discovery that it might have been LaDonna Humphrey.
• [00:04:00] Introduction of Patti Rush, her work with REVAMP, and her connection to the Melissa Witt case.
• [00:08:00] Patti’s account of LaDonna's unusual access to the Melissa Witt case files and evidence.
• [00:13:00] The story of the mishandling evidence and crime scene video posted online.
• [00:16:00] Details of the harassment Patti faced after reporting the video to the police.
• [00:20:00] Allegations of LaDonna’s desire for fame and how it influenced her actions.
• [00:26:00] Discussion of Charles Ray Vines, a possible suspect in the Melissa Witt case, and why LaDonna ruled him out.
• [00:31:00] Insights into LaDonna’s new suspect and ongoing investigations.

Call to Action: The story is far from over. Don’t miss out on the next part of this series. Listen to part three now on Patreon or PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast.

Links:

• Patreon
• PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast

Follow Us:

• Twitter: @pretendpod
• Instagram: @pretendpodcast
• Facebook: Pretend Podcast

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LaDonna Humphrey. Remember that name because she is central to this story. I've tried to sum up this tale quickly, but every time I attempt an elevator pitch, I fail. When friends ask me what this new series is about, I'm at a loss for words. It's impossible to explain in just a few minutes.

I'm about to retell the story the way I learned it: completely out of order. By the end, you'll need a suspect board like the ones in the movies. I've conducted over 20 interviews and counting, and you're going to hear some far-fetched allegations from many different people—strangers who share one common thread: they've all crossed paths with LaDonna Humphrey.

There's a lot of he said, she said in this story, and I'll do my best to prove or disprove each claim. This series is going to be a long one, unfolding in real-time as you listen. By the end, I hope I've done enough for you to make up your own mind and understand why so many people are afraid of LaDonna Humphrey.

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LaDonna Humphrey, a respected true crime author and podcaster, has built a strong reputation through her detailed investigations. However, beneath her acclaimed public image lies a troubling undercurrent of allegations and dark secrets. As former associates, friends, and family come forward with disturbing claims. These people have never spoken out... until now.

The question arises: Who's really afraid of LaDonna Humphrey?

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The strange and intricate hoax crafted by Saint Jovite "Kota" Youngblood, a hockey dad who posed as a Delta Force agent, unravels in court. An FBI agent peels back each layer of Youngblood's elaborate scheme that duped dozens of families.

Get early and ad-free episodes:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio

PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985

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Saint Jovite Youngblood posed as a Delta Force agent to swindle the families of his son’s hockey team.

Today's episode revolves around two victims: Eric Perardi, an Austin-based real estate developer, and Rebecca Kumar, a hockey mom, whose lives were turned upside down by Youngblood’s elaborate scams. Their experiences may sound like something out of a crime thriller, but they show the danger of falling prey to a master manipulator.

Listen to part 2 now:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio

PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985

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BREAKING NEWS - Kaitlyn Braun is Arrested Again for Duping Doulas in Phony Pregnancy Scam

25-year-old Kaitlyn Braun, who is currently under house arrest for prior offenses involving fraud and harassment against doulas, faces new charges as of Tuesday. This week's charges come after new allegations of once again exploiting the trust of unsuspecting doulas by falsely soliciting support related to pregnancy and childbirth.

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In the second installment of "The Doula" series, we uncover new dimensions of Kaitlyn Braun’s elaborate pregnancy scams. This episode features a new doula speaking out about her experiences, the story of how Kaitlyn was finally caught, and a revealing interview with a former friend whom Kaitlyn also deceived.

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Warning: This episode contains graphic discussions of pregnancy loss, sexual violence, and emotional abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of "Pretend," listen to the chilling tale of Kaitlyn Braun, a woman who orchestrated an elaborate pregnancy hoax, affecting nearly 60 doulas across Ontario. Seanna Hayes, a doula from London, Ontario, provides a firsthand account of her experience with Kaitlyn Braun. The story begins on a stormy night when Seanna is called to assist Kaitlyn, allegedly in labor, only to discover a web of lies, manipulation, and betrayal that spans across multiple doulas and involves a series of fake medical emergencies and hospital visits.

This episode explores the psychological and emotional impact of Kaitlyn's actions on the doulas, the potential motives behind her behavior, and the aftermath of this bizarre case.

Stay tuned for Part Two, exclusively on Patreon and Pretend+ on Apple Podcasts, where we continue the conversation with another doula who shares a very different experience with Kaitlyn Braun.

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This episode offers an unprecedented look into the life of the 'Timepiece Gentleman' Ponzi schemer, Anthony Farrar, whose love for luxury watches spiraled into a deceitful web of lies, culminating in a rare and candid confession.

If you want to hear more wild Ponzi stories, subscribe to The Ponzi Playbook hosted by me, Javier Leiva, and my buddy Neal McTighe.

SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/M02YhRa5Iq

_______

Also, listen to Javier's interview on The Film Nuts podcast.

Subscribe to Film Nuts Podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

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In today's episode, we revisit the captivating story of Seafarer Exploration and its quest to unearth a 300-year-old treasure buried beneath the ocean waves off Florida's coast. Join us as we delve into the tale of Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Seafarer Exploration, and his fateful encounter with Dr. Michael Torres, a man whose promises and credentials were as deep as the ocean itself. What begins as a hopeful journey into the past, seeking lost treasures of a Spanish galleon quickly spirals into a lawsuit and allegations of fraud. This rebroadcast from our previous series shines a light on the treasure hunters, the technology they dream of, and the deception that lurks beneath the surface.

Guest Speakers:

• Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Seafarer Exploration
• Experts in maritime archaeology and treasure hunting
• Legal analysts breaking down the lawsuit against Michael Torres
• 
  

Listen to the Entire Series:

Don't miss out on the full adventure of treachery, technology, and sunken treasures. Click on the links below to listen to the entire series and explore the mystery surrounding Florida's Treasure Coast.

Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6S0XjD4QyyXvuFBh1dOyVY?si=c55b75b8eff4478e

Part 3: https://open.spotify.com/episode/19xvUTQQDILhRLrrtiB7Dk?si=df330a9fd2a54c3a

Part 4: https://open.spotify.com/episode/69e2SjjyDLJ3CmbU8mfpvn?si=06e9742270b749d4

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I recently spoke at the Triangle Content Creators Meetup in Raleigh, NC, about using OSINT techniques to locate and research your next guest. OSINT stands for Open Source Intelligence. As a journalist, I've teamed up with brilliant hackers like Mishaal Khan and Michael Bazzell to uncover new information about my subjects. 

In this talk, I explain how Alan Logan and I exposed Frank Abagnale and how Mishaal Khan and I investigated the Stalker case. I thought you might find this interesting. 

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Previously on Pretend, we dived deep into the murky waters of academic fraud. Celebrity behavioral scientist Dan Ariely of Duke University, alongside Francesca Gino from Harvard and other distinguished behavioral scientists, embarked on a series of experiments with a noble aim: to enhance honesty among individuals. 

Their investigation centered on whether positioning an honesty pledge at the top of a form, as opposed to the bottom, would discourage deceit. However, it emerged that two out of the three experiments underpinning the study were marred by fabricated data.

I interviewed Dan Ariely about these troubling allegations, but our conversation was cut short. I assumed that was the last time I would hear from him. Surprisingly, Ariely reached out, proposing a second interview to directly address what he termed as "false accusations" on my podcast. He stipulated, "If you intend to add these false accusations to the podcast, maybe it's best to have another session and get my answers on the record, but I  will ask you to promise me not to edit these. And to give my answers exactly as I present them. If you're up for this,  let's schedule a sum If you're up for this, let's schedule something." And so, I agreed.

You're going to listen to my follow-up interview with Dan Ariely. I will, however, interject here and there to add context. But rest assured, every moment of our 43-minute exchange will be presented. I'll upload the raw, unedited versions of both interviews on Patreon and Pretend Plus, accessible for free. You don't need a subscription to tune in.

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Everything we believe about what drives us to be honest might be a lie.

A scandal rocks the behavioral science world, casting shadows over renowned researcher Dan Ariely and the integrity of academic research on honesty.

We all tell lies—it's a human thing. But can we modify behaviors to coax people into doing the right thing? Let's delve into what the research indicates. After all, facts and numbers don't lie, and academic researchers shouldn't lie either, right? But what happens when these so-called truth experts, the Ivy League researchers who literally wrote the book on dishonesty, are accused of lying and manipulating data?

Who fact-checks the truth-tellers? 

Science stands as our final bastion of objectivity. However, the individuals behind the studies we're discussing are people. And people make mistakes. But what happens when errors are set aside and data is deliberately fabricated to create an illusion of truth? The consequences could be dire, undermining our trust in everything we hear or read. 

Today's story recaps a major scandal in behavioral science, one that's been spotlighted by The New Yorker, The Atlantic, NPR, and podcasts like Freakonomics and Planet Money. Each outlet brought attention to different aspects of the story, but they all missed one critical voice—Dan Ariely, a professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University. In a rare interview, I confronted Ariely about the studies in question, and to my surprise, he answered all of my questions.

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I discovered a little-known realm of con artists within the legal system. I found story after story of people impersonating attorneys, prosecutors, and even judges. One woman hacked into the court system and dropped the charges against her.

Get early and ad-free episodes:

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio

PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985

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Think all forensic evidence is foolproof? You'd be surprised. In our latest bonus episode of PRETEND, we're taking a deep dive into the murky world of forensic science with M. Chris Fabricant from the Innocence Project. We're talking about how some methods, like bite mark analysis and cadaver dogs, might not be as reliable as you’d think. It's a thought-provoking look at the challenges of separating solid science from shaky beliefs in our legal system. 

Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System by M. Chris Fabricant: https://www.amazon.com/Science-American-Criminal-Justice-System/dp/1636140300

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Breaking News on the Stalker case.

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Dr. Arpad Vass touts his Quantum Oscillator, a contraption made of plywood and PVC pipe, as a revolutionary tool capable of locating missing persons' remains with 92% accuracy from up to 60 miles away, using just DNA from fingernail clippings. 

In a desperate attempt to solve the cold case of Brandy Hall, a Florida firefighter gone missing, Hall's family turned to Dr. Vass and his device. Guided by the oscillator's dubious promise, they believed Brandy could be buried in a specific wooded area. In a fit of hope and despair, Brandy's mother resorted to using a makeshift shovel to dig for her daughter, embodying the heart-wrenching grip of grief and the seductive, yet misleading, appeal of pseudoscience. Ultimately, the search yielded nothing but a painful journey back to square one.

In today's episode, we discuss the science behind the Quantum Oscillator. 

Watch the video of Dr. Vass and the Quantum Oscillator:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3DTrzYM-8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7332889990084578590?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7267660576023873067 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/ub2kdJZ0JNQ?feature=share 

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In today’s episode of Pretend, we're zeroing in on Dr. Arpad Vass's invention called the Quantum Oscillator—a device straight out of a sci-fi plot with the audacious promise of finding the lost with just a sliver of DNA. Imagine a gadget claiming to pinpoint your long-gone ancestors' graves or track down missing persons with a flicker of electromagnetic waves.

Dr. Vass claims that with a bit of your DNA, his Quantum Oscillator could lead him to grave sites with 92% accuracy from a distance as far as 60 miles. Sounds miraculous, right? But hold your horses—does this invention hold up under the scrutiny of science, or is it veering into the realm of pseudoscience?

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In "The Grave Detector," we delve into the enigmatic practice of using dowsing rods with a focus on the work of Dr. Arpard Vass, a forensic anthropologist renowned for his innovative methods in locating unmarked graves and human remains. The episode explores the traditional and modern uses of dowsing rods, often associated with finding water, treasures, and possibly ghosts. But most alarming of all, dowsing rods play a controversial role in police investigations and legal proceedings. 

M. Chris Fabricant, Junk Science - https://a.co/d/cu4tn9m

Michael Hadsell, Peace River K9 Search and Rescue (PRSAR) - https://www.prsar.org/

Dr. Arpad Vass- http://forensicrecoveryservices.org/

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In "The High School Hoax," the latest episode of "PRETEND," we explore the true story of Shelby Hewitt, a 32-year-old woman who enrolled as a high school student in Boston.

What compels an adult to return to high school? How did this go unnoticed? Janelle, a 16-year-old classmate and friend of Shelby's, offers a unique window into this bizarre ruse.

See video of Shelby Hewitt:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C02ngXjsUh1/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7312640020207242538

YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/xG-y0td3MkI?feature=share

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Dartanyon A. Williams (DAW) stole his parents’ identities at the age of 15.

Unfortunately, they weren’t his last victims. Dartanyon, who also goes

by DAW, claims he has stolen thousands of identities. So many that he’s

lost count. It’s rare to hear firsthand from an identity thief. In this

episode, Dartanyon

How to steal someone’s identity

How did he do it? He had many tactics. But the most proven technique

was paying off restaurant employees, car dealerships, and tax

preparation companies. These employees served as double agents. When no

one was looking, they would collect customers' social security numbers and

smuggle them to DAW. Today, DAW’s life of crime is behind him. He even ran for Congress for the U.S. House of Representatives.

How to protect your identity

These days, it’s just as easy to steal your identity from a breached

database. Everything an identity thief needs to steal your identity is

already online. What can you do to protect yourself? 

Click here to see if your email has been involved in a breached database:

https://haveibeenpwned.com/

Freezing your credit and setting up a fraud alert

I’ve taken the extreme step of freezing my credit. It’s actually not

really that extreme. In fact, it’s quite easy. In this episode, you’ll

hear how simple it is to lock down your credit so that no one can assume

your identity. 

Michael Bazzell, a privacy consultant, walks me through the credit freeze process. For more details, download his step-by-step guide. 

Essentially, get a free credit report from one of the credit bureaus,

then ask them to freeze your credit. This way, no one can open a line

of credit under your name. If you ever need to unfreeze your credit,

it’s easy. Just unfreeze your credit by going online or with a quick

phone call. 

Equifax

Online: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/

Experian

Online: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html

TransUnion

Online: https://service.transunion.com/dss/orderStep1_form.page

If you just stumbled on this page, start with part 1.

Michael Bazzell

To learn more about Michael Bazzell, check out his website IntelTechniques.com

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Peter Pan syndrome is when someone refuses to grow up.

It’s neither a disease nor a recognized mental disorder—it’s just a state of mind. Today, you’ll meet a man who became a fugitive to live in his very own Neverland.

Larry Douglas Jones is not your typical fugitive. He had a wife and three kids. He’s not a dangerous man. Larry just became overwhelmed with life and decided to run away.

This is a rebroadcast of a previous series about fugitives running from the law. In season 4 of PRETEND, we explore how abandoning your old identity leads to complications. How do these criminals assume a new identity? What strategies do they use to avoid getting caught?

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In today's Christmas episode, we delve into the story of David Ellisor, a man whose grand Christmas scheme left the city of Miami in disbelief. Ellisor, a real-life Grinch, planned to host "Christmas From Around the World," a supposed once-in-a-lifetime event promising the presence of ambassadors, live reindeer, and a spectacle of global traditions. But the event never happened. He collected the cash and made a run for it. This is a Christmas caper for the ages.

Plus, listeners tell their own Christmas con stories.

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! And I wish all of you a Happy New Year!

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The Stalker Saga Continues: Trial Back On for Tanya and Rick Fernandez

Hey there, avid followers of the "Stalker" series! You might recall my last update, where I mentioned Tanya and Rick Fernandez may have taken a plea deal. Well.... There was a bit of a mix-up: while the State of Arizona court website had the trial marked as "vacated," a peek into the Maricopa Superior Court website told a different story. It turns out they have a new trial date set for February 27, 2024.

So, what does this mean? Initially, I speculated that the couple might have struck a plea deal. It seemed like a plausible explanation at the time, considering the how their settlement conference ended. But, as it often turns out, the reality was a bit different. I'm here to set the record straight: the trial is very much back on!

But wait, there's more. I had one more conversation with Tanya Fernandez and her oldest son. To say it was enlightening would be an understatement. The conversation added one more clue into revealing the identity of the stalker.

Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the trial date. This case has been a roller coaster of developments, and I'm committed to keeping you all in the loop with every twist and turn.

Until then, keep your eyes peeled for more updates. The "Stalker" saga is far from over.

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So, I've got to tell you about this crazy rabbit hole I slipped into. It's about that bizarre olive lady from the Maury show. Remember her? Sally was freaked out by olives because they reminded her of, get this, dead people's eyes. Wild, right?

I always wondered, was Sally for real or just putting on a show for the cameras? This question sent me down a path that ended with me chatting with Anthony Freire, a guy who used to produce for Maury.

Man, the stuff I learned while putting together this episode! It’s like peeling back the curtain on daytime TV and finding a whole other world. Turns out, there's a ton of mind games and behind-the-scenes tricks that go into making these shows. Anthony spilled the beans on how they get people to react a certain way or amp up their emotions for the audience.

It's not just about Sally and her olive phobia. This episode digs into the bigger picture of how these TV shows mess with people's heads, both the guests and us viewers.

If you're into the psychology of TV shows or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, you've gotta check this out. It's not your average episode of PRETEND.

Can't wait to hear what you all think. Tune in, and let's get our minds blown together!

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Today on "PRETEND," we explore the unsettling world of red-collar criminals, as defined by Frank Perri. These are white-collar offenders who commit murder to hide their frauds. This episode takes a closer look at the motivations and warning signs of these dangerous individuals. They could be closer than you think: a friend, family member, or coworker.

We also investigate how male and female red-collar criminals differ in their methods and motivations. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in recognizing and possibly preventing future red-collar crimes.

Red Collar White Collar Crime: Corporate, Predatory and Violent Fraud Offenders by Frank Perri:

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Collar-White-Crime-Corporate/dp/B09BGLZ7XL

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Red Collar Killers: The Hidden Violence of White Collar Crimes

Can white-collar criminals be driven to murder? 

In this episode of PRETEND, we explore 'Red Collar Criminals,' a term coined by attorney, CPA, and Certified Fraud Examiner Frank Perri. Perri defines red-collar criminals as white-collar offenders who turn to violence to hide their frauds. 

We investigate the psychology and patterns common among these criminals, revealing how ordinary financial crimes can escalate into brutal acts of violence. By examining various cases, this episode paints a vivid picture of the dangerous and often unnoticed overlap between deceit and murder.

Red Collar White Collar Crime: Corporate, Predatory and Violent Fraud Offenders by Frank Perri:

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Collar-White-Crime-Corporate/dp/B09BGLZ7XL

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I checked the Arizona court website and it looks like Tanya and Rick Fernandez accepted a plea deal. So is this the end?

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"PRETEND: The Stalker" is back with a bombshell that you've all been waiting for: new court audio from The Fernandez Settlement Conference.

It's been a while since we've delved into the world of Tanya and Rick Fernandez, the subjects of one of The Stalker series. In the nine months since their indictment on January 25, 2023, where they faced a barrage of six felony charges, the Fernandez case has been marked by a relentless procession of delays.

The defense attorneys? They've been hitting the pause button time and time again, clamoring for more time to prepare their strategy. Meanwhile, the State of Arizona? They've remained steadfast, offering no plea deals whatsoever. The result? It was an agonizing year filled with 'hurry up and wait.'

But here's where it gets riveting – this past summer, the Fernandezes made an interesting move. They willingly relinquished their right to a speedy trial. Why? Their legal team argues that this case is anything but ordinary. It's complex, requiring more time for expert witness interviews, akin to a high-stakes murder trial. It's a bold move; let's see if it works.

We're inching closer to the December 6th, 2023 trial date. Will the State of Arizona finally extend a plea deal? And more critically, will the Fernandezes accept it, or are they unshakable in their belief that their narrative will captivate a jury?

In this episode of "PRETEND: The Stalker," you'll hear directly from the judge and prosecutor and finally get answers to our most burning questions. Will the Fernandezes cut a deal, or are they destined to take their chances in the unforgiving courtroom?

Let me know what you think on social!

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Get ready, folks!

I've just wrapped up listening to the Settlement Conference audio, and let me tell you, it's nothing short of mind-blowing. Right now, "WOW" is all I can muster. It's jam-packed with the answers we've all been itching to find.

Ever wondered what might happen if this case goes to trial? Will the Fernandez's stand firm in their refusal to accept a plea deal? What does the judge think of all this madness? Well, get ready to find out as the judge describes Tanya and Rick's possible fate.

I've even got a sneak peek for you, a short clip of the judge painting a vivid picture of their chances in front of a jury. Trust me; you won't want to miss this.

I'm hard at work on the new episode, and my hope is to get it out to you as soon as humanly possible. Bracing myself for a busy weekend ahead.

Stay tuned – there's much more to come!

Cheers, Javier

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Learn how to cheat a polygraph test. Ex-cop, Doug Williams, says it’s a lot easier than you think. 

Doug Williams is looking over his shoulder because, since 1979, he’s been on a crusade to defeat the polygraph machine. In 1996, he started a website called polygraph.com, offering a handbook and one-on-one training teaching people how to pass the test. 

“There is no Pinocchio response. Your nose does not grow when you lie.” Doug Williams, polygraph critic

According to Doug Williams, a lie detector test is about as accurate as a coin toss. He claims the machine doesn’t work, and as a result, innocent people are paying the price. Many innocent people have pleaded guilty and skipped trial because they failed a polygraph during an interrogation. And employers routinely administered polygraph tests as part of their hiring process. If you fail a lie detector test in the US federal government, you’re potentially placed on a blacklist and never allowed to apply for that government agency job again. 

Doug Willams says that the polygraph is just a stage prop used to scare people. How does he know this? Because he spent most of his law enforcement career using it as what he calls a psychological billy club. To him, it was just a tool to beat a confession out of a bad guy. But over the years, he realized that a polygraph test is just that… a test. It can be cheated. And he would devote the rest of his life to destroying it. 

Doug Williams made a career giving people polygraph exams. Now, he’s going to prison for teaching people how to cheat the test.   

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In today's episode titled "The Babalawo," we delve deep into the world of Santería - the religion, not the song. While many might recognize the song, few are familiar with this mysterious Afro-Cuban faith, also known as Regla de Ochá, La Regla de Ifá, or Lucumí, which translates to the worship of saints.

You might wonder, "Where's the twist in this tale?" I've always felt an unsettling vibe around this religion. My fellow Cubans often consult Santería priests as if seeking divination. But is this genuine spiritual guidance, or am I unfairly biased against it? Spoiler: I might be letting my biases cloud my judgment.

To truly understand, I need to immerse myself in the heart of Santería, right in my hometown of Miami. But first, what exactly is a Babalawo?

A Babalawo is a revered figure in Santería, a priest who communicates prophecies from the Orishas, spirits representing aspects of the divine God Olodumare. In this episode, we'll uncover the history and roots of Santería, engaging in enlightening conversations with both a Santería priest and priestess, shedding light on their clandestine ceremonies.

—–MUSIC—–

Our theme music is crafted by the talented Joe Basile from The Chicken Music and Sound Design. Discover more about Joe and The Chicken at www.thechicken.net.

We also feature tunes by Podington Bear.

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This week, we journey into the heart of dark tourism, exploring iconic haunted locations like the Winchester House, The Myrtle Plantation, and the eerie Lost City of Frenier. But how much of what we hear is historically accurate, and how much is just for show? Are the tales of the curse of Julia Brown rooted in fact, or are they just spine-chilling fables? Brandon Schexnayder of the Southern Gothic Podcast is here to help us separate spectral facts from fiction. Prepare for a deep dive into the stories that have both fascinated and terrified generations.

Listen to Southern Gothic:

https://www.southerngothicmedia.com/

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Former Lieutenant Governor's Ex-Staffer Arrested for Elaborate Deception in Divorce; Husband Speaks Out

Beth Green, a former member of Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan's staff, was arrested, facing felony charges stemming from a plot to torment her husband during their divorce proceedings. Accused of impersonating her former boss and employing deceptive personas, Green's arrest follows a warrant issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). But what's even more astonishing is what Beth's husband has to say about the extent of her alleged deception. In today's episode of the PRETEND Podcast, we explore the extraordinary story of betrayal, lies, and the unraveling of trust in the midst of a divorce.

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On the next episode of Pretend, we investigate the perplexing case of 17-year-old Rudy Farias. While he was presumed missing for eight years, an unexpected twist raised suspicions of a hoax. 

Our investigation uncovers a trail of fraud linked to Rudy's mother, Janie Santana, spanning decades. This includes multiple marriages, charity scams, a fabricated cancer diagnosis, and even laying claim to the house of a late sheriff's deputy.

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Missing teen is found. From Heartwarming Reunion to 'Wait, What?' Hoax Claims

So, here's a plot twist for you: Rudy Farias, the Houston teen who was reported missing in 2015, returned after eight years. Instead of celebration and joyful tears, rumors were swirling about possible deception. Where was Rudy Farias hiding? This is not your typical missing person's case.

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James Freedman: Unmasking the Modern-Day Pickpocket

In a world where the hustle and bustle of everyday life increasingly revolves around smartphones and digital wallets, the age-old craft of pickpocketing has found new avenues to thrive. 

Enter James Freedman, a British entertainer and professional pickpocket who has chosen a unique and unexpected path. Rather than succumbing to a life of crime, Freedman employs his extraordinary skills to aid law enforcement in apprehending criminals.

The notion that pickpocketing is a vanishing art form is a misconception. Instead, it has evolved and adapted to the digital age. Today, we delve into the intriguing world of modern pickpocketing with James Freedman, who will unveil the intricate techniques behind the art of "tapp, dip, and swipe."

Links:

James Freedman: 

https://www.jamesfreedman.com/

CNET's Best Password Managers:

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-password-manager/

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Pickpockets in the Digital Age: The Evolution of a Timeless Crime

In a world where technology reigns supreme, the art of pickpocketing has not vanished into history's annals.

While traditional pickpocketing still thrives in popular European tourist destinations like Barcelona, Prague, and Rome, the game has evolved. In an era where wallets bulging with cash have been replaced by minimalist essentials - a smartphone and keys - cunning thieves have adapted to exploit new opportunities. In this eye-opening interview with James Freedman, we delve into the world of pickpocketing in the digital age with a master of the craft, exploring a spectrum that spans from the classic pocket-wallet dip to the intricacies of credit card swipes and other forms of digital fraud that may leave you astonished—technology changes, as do the tactics of those seeking to exploit it.

Listen to part 2 (early and ad-free):

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Links:

James Freedman: https://www.jamesfreedman.com/

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In this bonus episode, we pick up where we left off, diving into the events leading up to the much-anticipated August 24th contempt of court hearing involving Patrick Tomlinson.

In our previous episode, we shared the suspenseful build-up to this critical date, where Patrick faced potential jail time for failing to pay the legal fees of the opposing party. In our last interview. Patrick had made it clear that he had no intention of making the required payment.

So, what happened on August 24th contempt of court hearing? Patrick showed up with his attorney, and so did one of his relentless tormentors, Dan Mullen, who shared his account of a tense courtroom encounter.

Intriguingly, Patrick filed a motion just days before the hearing, outlining his demands to the court. He requested a postponement and a closed, private hearing held over video conferencing due to safety concerns. This was in response to online chatter suggesting some of his foes planned to attend in person.

But the drama didn't end there. Patrick made a bold claim in his motion, alleging the identity of his online nemesis, "quasi101," and hinting at a familial connection to a federal judge, all without providing any evidence.

However, the outcome of the hearing surprised many. Both sides agreed on a payment, and Patrick paid the court-ordered debt, amounting to $32,709.80, satisfying this particular legal obligation.

The big question now: Does this payment signify a truce in this long-standing online feud?

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A mother's anguish resurfaces as her son's convicted killer is set free due to a jury verdict reversal by a judge. This is the story of Pravin Varughese.

Binge all 9-episodes ad-free:

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There are always two sides to every story. In part 4, listen to my interview with the online forum administrator. We discuss the ongoing legal battle with Patrick Tomlinson and why Patrick may go to jail over this feud.

_____________

Binge all 9-episodes of CRIMINAL CONDUCT ad-free:

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WARNING: This episode contains language and disturbing content. Listener discretion is advised.

Sci-Fi Writer Patrick Tomlinson Loses Harassment Lawsuit Against Online Forum, Faces Hefty Legal Fees

Patrick Tomlinson, known for his imaginative works in the science fiction genre, took a stand against the onaforum's vicious gangstalking attacks, hoping to end the torment he endured for over five years. However, the court ruled against him, leaving him without the justice he sought and burdened with paying the site owner's legal fees.

Listen to all 4 episodes early and ad-free:

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WARNING: This episode contains language and disturbing content. Listener discretion is advised.

Police Storm Sci-fi Writer's Home 42 Times in "Swatting" Campaign

Wisconsin science fiction author Patrick Tomlinson and his wife have been living a nightmare, enduring years of terror as cyber stalkers repeatedly sent police to their doorstep in a relentless "swatting" campaign. The couple, who claim to have experienced this terrifying ordeal 42 times, describes the chilling encounters with officers storming their home with guns drawn, handcuffing Tomlinson in his front yard, and even alleging that he had killed his wife. The reason for this campaign of terror, they say, stems from a trivial online criticism of the late comedian Norm Macdonald, leading to a series of threatening messages encouraging the author to take his own life.

Listen to all 4 episodes early and ad-free:

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WARNING: This episode contains language and disturbing content. Listener discretion is advised.

Wisconsin Author Faces Cyberstalking Nightmare After Tweeting that Norm MacDonald Isn't Funny.

Wisconsin science fiction author Patrick Tomlinson and his wife have been living in fear for years, enduring a relentless campaign of terror orchestrated by cyberstalkers, all stemming from a seemingly innocuous tweet about the late comedian Norm Macdonald. Tomlinson's criticism of the "Saturday Night Live" comic as not funny ignited a firestorm of online harassment, including threatening emails, voice messages, and disturbing Reddit posts urging him to harm himself.

Listen to all 4 episodes early and ad-free:

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This is the episode you've been waiting for!

While we've primarily heard from Tanya and Rick Fernandez's perspective, it's time to introduce you to a key figure in this fascinating case: Dr. Grace Gressman (not her real name). As a central player, Dr. Gressman holds valuable insights into the stalker's actions. What is her connection to the Fernandez family? What does she have to say about the mysterious messages? 

In today's episode, we finally hear Dr. Gressman's story.

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The IRS knocked on John Coutu's door, demanding $80,000.

Jennifer 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 this act of goodwill would lead him down a treacherous path of deception and impersonation.

Unbeknownst to John, Jennifer never actually filed his taxes and instead fabricated an elaborate web of lies. She even went as far as impersonating the IRS to fool John into believing everything was in order. But John's story doesn't end there. As he bravely speaks out, it becomes evident that Jennifer's peculiar scam has also ensnared others.

Today, we explore the complexity between love and taxes.

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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 accomplice. 

David's father, Thurston Crow, lived a life of crime: stealing, lying, and killing anyone who stood in his way. And right beside him, the whole time, was his young son David. In this episode, hear David's story of overcoming a life of crime and trying to understand why the one person he trusted most in the world took advantage of him.

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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 father and son entangled in a life of crime.

David recounts his experiences as his father's criminal accomplice, always by his side. And what it was like growing up with a violent and convicted felon who used the Native American reservation as a refuge to evade his enemies.

This episode is the story of a young boy grappling with his place in the world, torn between his father's influence and his desire for a different path.

The Pale-Faced Lie part 2 is now available on PATREON and PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast.

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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 who lived with them. 

Last week, out of the blue, Brittni Stone reached out to me because she lived with the Fernandez family for five years. She has a lot to say about the Stalker series. But maybe her insights can lead us closer to the truth. 

Plus, hear the latest on the trial. Has the state offered Tanya and Rick a plea deal? 

Listen to the latest bonus episode of The Stalker, then post your reaction on Patreon, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

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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 the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.

Episode 1 Description:

We peel back the layers of the Harbor City Capital Ponzi scheme, exposing the deceptive tactics orchestrated by Jonathan Paul Maroney and shedding light on the involvement of George Santos. In this episode, we delve deep into the intricate workings of the scheme, where enticing promises of remarkable returns through internet advertising conceal a web of deceit.

The first two episodes are available right now. Download wherever you get your podcasts

https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook

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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, hoping to find some clue or slip-up that could help them solve the mystery.

Listeners are clamoring for more updates. But it's important to note that this type of investigation takes time, and it took me two years to report on this story. The series ended with Tanya and Rick Fernandez being indicted by a grand jury on computer tampering charges and aggravated harassment.

Initially, I wasn't sure if the case would even make it to trial. I expected Tanya and Rick to plead guilty and accept a lighter sentence. However, that has yet to happen.

In this episode, I will provide an update on where the trial stands and share some interviews I recorded with Tanya and Rick that were not included in the original series. While these interviews didn't align with the story's central plot at the time, they shed some light on the type of drama surrounding this case.

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How Ana Montes' Family Ties Unraveled the Cuban Spy Plot Against the U.S.

When the lights of the Pentagon dimmed and the rest of D.C. settled into the night, Ana Montes began her covert dance as a Cuban spy. But after 17 years in this dangerous tango, her own bloodline played an unexpected role in her downfall. Dive in as we delve deeper into the captivating world of espionage, loyalty, and unexpected betrayals.

From Shadows to Spotlight: The Unraveling of Ana Montes, the Cuban Spy

Hidden within the Pentagon's vast maze, Ana Montes expertly spun her web of secrets for Cuba. Yet, as with all intricate schemes, the threads began to loosen. Over 17 covert years, her dance with deception went unnoticed, but even the best-laid plots have their breaking point. Venture with us into the moment it all came undone.

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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, the most dangerous female spy." - Jim Popkin is a long-time journalist and author of "Codename Blue Wren," the story of Ana Montes, the Cuban Spy.

Ana Belen Montes spied on the US for Cuba for 17 years. Find out what made her so dangerous and how she spied on the Cubans from within the US intelligence community.

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Virginia Morris, a retired real estate agent from Houston, Texas, doesn't want me to use her real name. She claims Frank Abagnale scammed her out of $20,000 through a bogus investment scheme. Virginia spent years suing Abagnale, trying to recover her money. However, she was unsuccessful. Abagnale ignored the court summons and failed to appear in court.

So, Virginia did what anyone who lost more than $20,000 would do. She showed up at one of Frank Abagnale's speaking events and confronted him.

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Frank is Back!

This update episode is loaded with new allegations and never-before-told capers. Like the time Frank Abagnale:

• Impersonated a cop with a paper badge and a toy gun.
• Posed as a pilot to work at a preschool
• Took a group of teachers on an "all-expense paid" trip to Puerto Rico

Abagnale's true life story is featured in the New York Post.

Frank Abagnale is getting national attention. Just this month, the New York Post published an article citing an 87-page file of old newspaper clippings, court documents, and letters — from airlines, university officials, government sources, and others. Here's a link to the article written by Abby Ellin.

Abagnale featured in STR8DADVIBES

We end the episode with a song inspired by my 'Real Catch Me If You Can' Series.

STR8 DAD VIBES by KENDONTCRY

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PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia.

It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.

To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct

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In today's episode, we will talk about how to treat perpetrators of Munchausen by Proxy—if that's even possible. And also, what happens when you suspect a mother of abuse? Should you report it? And what happens if you get it wrong? We're going to get into it all of this. Plus, we'll talk about Hope Ybarra's downfall. 

Munchausen Support:

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In today's episode, we'll discuss Munchausen by Proxy and how to identify it. And I'm not talking about scandalous stories like the ones you've seen on TV. In fact, we will focus on the less popular cases to show you that this form of abuse is far more common than we even realized. You may know someone who is a victim of Munchausen by proxy and not even realizes it.

Follow Pretend on social media:

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PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. 

It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.

To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to [email protected] or visit  https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and  https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct

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Just when you thought this case couldn't get any crazier.

The night before the arraignment, Dr. Gressman's former patient, "Chelsea," starts badgering my followers on Instagram. The tone of her texts are eerily similar to the stalker. 

Then, Tanya goes on Facebook and makes a surprise announcement. To almost all of her friends' shock and surprise, she announced a new addition. Yes, you read correctly. The night before her court appearance, she let everyone know she was the mother of a brand new baby girl. Where did this child come from? 

Take a listen for yourself and keep the comments coming. 

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Note: Tune in to the end of the episode for some breaking news on this case.

This series started as a whodunit about a menacing cyberstalker. But in reality, it turned into something else... something far more disturbing. We may all be witnessing medical child abuse in real-time. Munchausen by proxy is a disorder in which a caregiver intentionally causes or exaggerates the medical symptoms of someone in their care to seek attention or sympathy.

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Listen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.

Support PRETEND on Patreon

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Binge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the show

Subscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast

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PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. 

It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.

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In this week's episode, we investigate who may be responsible for the harassing messages sent to the Rodriguez family. The postal inspector and the detectives assigned to the case have their sights set on the oldest daughter, Logan, but at this time, there are no official suspects, and no one has been charged.

One thing we can say for sure is that there is no evidence that Dr. Gressman or the husband is involved in any way. Whoever is behind these messages is someone living inside the Rodriguez family's house.

It's also worth noting that the Instagram accounts used by the stalker were created using the Rodriguez's IP address and were created before their disabled adult daughter, Chelsea, ever became a patient of Dr. Gressman. With seven people living in that house, there are six possible suspects. In today's episode, we'll be narrowing it down to two.

This podcast contains explicit language and mature content that may not be suitable for children.

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Examining the Evidence: Is Someone in the Rodriguez House Responsible for the Stalking?

As the investigation into the cyberstalking of the Rodriguez family continues, new information has come to light about the possible culprit. To uncover potential leads, an ethical hacker was brought on to investigate all parties involved in the case, including the alleged stalker, Dr. Grace Gressman, and her husband, John. After a thorough search, it was determined that both the doctor and her husband had no unusual internet activity and were unlikely to be the stalker.

However, when the hacker turned their attention to the Rodriguez family, they found something curious. Logan, the oldest adult child of Claudia and David Rodriguez, had 5 active devices. Mishaal Khan, a cyber-security expert, says, "While it may be normal for someone of Logan's age to have multiple devices, it is unusual for someone to have so many." Naturally, this raised some suspicions, but no concrete evidence was found to pinpoint a suspect.

At this point, it is clear that John Gressman cannot be the stalker. But with the investigation at a standstill, questions remain about who is behind the threatening messages. Is it possible that Claudia is orchestrating the Stalking herself to gain attention? Could it be her husband, David, or one of their adult children? These questions will be explored in today's episode as the PRETEND host interviews Logan to learn more about her multiple devices.

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Munchausen by Proxy Accusations: Is the Rodriguez Family Stalking Themselves?

This series started out as a story of cyberstalking, but it has taken an unexpected turn. In the latest episode, we delve into the allegations that Claudia Rodriguez suffers from Munchausen by proxy. This criminal act involves intentionally making one's child sick to gain attention. However, the Rodriguez family fiercely denies these accusations, calling it victim blaming. Instead, they insist they are like any other family dealing with disabled children.

Are the Rodriguezes Responsible for Their Own Harassment?

The detective on the case has revealed some disturbing new information. The Instagram accounts used to harass the Rodriguez family were created months before they were even the doctor's patients, and the IP addresses all point back to their own home address. This raises the question of whether the Rodriguezes could be behind the Stalking.

To help get to the bottom of this case, we listen in on a conversation with the detective and bring in an ethical hacker and cybersecurity expert to thoroughly investigate all parties involved. Will the ethical hacker uncover any new evidence that can shed light on this complex and confusing case? 

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Dr. Grace Gressman speaks out about the Rodriguez family stalking case

In today's episode, we finally hear from Dr. Grace Gressman, the woman at the center of the Rodriguez family's cyberstalking saga. Despite having her statements in the police report, Javier calls her up to get her side of the story. To everyone's surprise, she picked up the phone.

But that's not all. To get to the bottom of this case, Javier also confronts the alleged stalker himself. It's a bold move that could potentially reveal the true identity of the person behind the threatening messages that have terrorized the Rodriguez family for years.

What does Dr. Gressman say about the allegations against her and her husband? And what does the stalker have to say when confronted by Javier?

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Doctor and Husband Cleared as Suspects in Rodriguez Stalking Case

The Rodriguez family has been the target of a cyberstalker for over three years. Despite their efforts to involve the police and find help, the stalking has continued until this day. In fact, the detectives and postal inspector assigned to their case have even accused their oldest daughter of being the perpetrator, despite their claim of her having a solid alibi. However, the stalker has identified himself as Dr. Gressman's husband, John Gressman.

Recently, the Rodriguez family received a voicemail from a detective working on their case. The detective stated that Dr. Gressman was the actual victim in this investigation and that the threatening phone calls made by the cyberstalker were produced inside Rodriguez's home. The detective also mentioned that the investigation is ongoing and that Dr. Gressman and her husband are not suspects.

Despite this, the Rodriguez family is convinced that John Gressman is behind the Stalking. Claudia Rodriguez stated, "He scares me. He scares me, and they already think I'm the one doing it. And I feel I'm one step away from having the cops visit here."

In the latest episode of the "Pretend" podcast, the tension between the Gressman and Rodriguez families reaches a boiling point. The host even attempts to go toe-to-toe with the stalker to provoke a reaction and potentially reveal their identity. However, as the case continues, it becomes increasingly clear that this situation is complex, confusing, and far from over.

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Cyberstalker Resumes Harassment of Rodriguez Family, Targets Infant Daughter

After months of peace, the cyberstalker who has been tormenting Claudia and David Rodriguez for years has returned. This time, the stalker has directed his rage toward his own infant daughter, causing great concern and fear for the child's safety.

Rodriguez Family Reports Alleged Abuse to Child Protective Services

In response to this disturbing development, the Rodriguezes have reported the alleged abuse to child protective services. They've also contacted the medical board in hopes of stripping Dr. Gressman from her medical license. 

This situation is maddening. The Rodriguezes hoped to find a sense of normalcy and safety. Instead, more fear and uncertainty have consumed everyone's lives.

It's unclear at this time what actions child protective services will take, but it is clear that the Rodriguez family is not backing down. 

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The Stalker part 5

Claudia and David Rodriguez have five children, four of whom are adults, and most have severe medical or mental health issues. Two of their adult children are so disabled that the Rodriguezes have guardianship over them, meaning they have no rights. One child has undergone multiple surgeries, including spinal cord surgery, brain surgery, and stomach stoma surgery.

The Rodriguez family has faced accusations from their daughter's neurologist, Dr. Grisman, accusing Claudia of having Munchausen by proxy, a disorder in which a caregiver intentionally causes or exaggerates the medical symptoms of someone in their care. Claudia vehemently denies these claims, stating that she is a mother who would do anything for her children and that others shouldn't judge her unless they have been in her shoes.

Despite their claims of innocence, the authorities suspect that Rodriguez's oldest daughter, Logan, is the one sending the Stalking messages. However, Claudia and David say this is impossible as Logan was in a mental health facility without access to any devices when the Stalking started up again.

In this podcast episode, we discuss this complex and confusing case that poses the question, who is behind these threatening messages?

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Rodriguez Family Fights to Prove Daughter's Innocence in the face of Stalking Accusations

For over three years, Claudia and David Rodriguez have been dealing with the terror of being stalked. Despite their efforts to involve the police and get help, the Stalking has continued to this day. In fact, the detectives and even the postal inspector assigned to their case have accused their oldest daughter of being the perpetrator, despite her claiming to have a solid alibi.

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From Victims to Suspects: The Bizarre Turn of Events in the Rodriguez Family's Cyber Stalking Case

In the world of cyberstalking, it's not uncommon for victims to have an idea of who their perpetrator might be. It could be an ex-partner, a disgruntled employee, or even an obsessed friend. But for Claudia and David Rodriguez, the situation was much more complex. For the past three years, they've been the victims of a cyber stalker who claims to be the husband of their daughter's doctor, a man they've never even met. The messages started off benign but quickly turned sadistic and threatening. Despite their efforts to report the harassment and seek help from the authorities, the Rodriguez family faced disbelief and suspicion. In this podcast episode, we'll explore the mysterious case of the Rodriguez family's cyber stalker and how a simple IP address couldn't provide all the answers.

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Harassed by a Cyber Stalker Claiming to be the Doctor's Husband: The Strange Story of Claudia and David Rodriguez

Claudia and David Rodriguez claim they have been the victims of a cyber stalker for the past three years. The person behind the messages claims to be the husband of Claudia's daughter's doctor, a man they've never even met. As bizarre as this situation sounds, it's been a constant source of harassment and anxiety for the Rodriguez family. In this podcast episode, we'll delve into the strange story of Claudia and David Rodriguez, including their ongoing battle with a mysterious cyber stalker and the surprising twist that led to them being accused of stalking.

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Couple terrorized by a sadistic cyber stalker for years

For more than three years, Claudia and David Rodriguez (not their real names) have been the targets of a sadistic cyber stalker. Despite their attempts to involve the police and stop the stalking, it has continued to this day. In fact, the couple has faced accusations from the very detectives assigned to their case. One detective suggests that Claudia may have a split personality and is causing the stalking herself.

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This is the story about a Christmas con artist pretending to be Santa Claus.

Brian Earl, the host of the Christmas Past podcast, joins me to tell a little-known true-crime holiday story.

Christmas Past

The seventh season of Christmas Past is out. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Brian shares the fascinating backstories behind our favorite holiday traditions.

Looking for a last-minute gift idea? Buy the Christmas Past book.

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The Prank series inspired the new Netflix documentary series "Don't Pick Up the Phone." This docuseries follows the investigation into a hoax caller who talked managers into strip-searching employees at fast food businesses across the US.

Binge the entire series on Netflix starting December 14th:

https://www.netflix.com/title/81576846

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Larry Douglas Jones is not your typical fugitive. He had a wife and three kids. And to be honest, he's not a dangerous man. He became overwhelmed with life and decided to run away.

This is the first in a series of stories about fugitives. In season 4, we explore how abandoning your old identity leads to a whole set of complications. How do these criminals assume a new identity? What strategies do they use to avoid getting caught?

_______________

This episode was 100% funded by you.

I was able to travel to Gulfport, MS for this story using funds raised on Patreon. So if you’d like to see me to take the show on the road, consider chipping in a buck or two on our Patreon page. Plus, you’ll get access to early episodes and bonus content. So, thank you so much for the support.

_______________

Lies, lies, and more lies

A few seasons ago, I asked you to submit stories about lies. Either lies that you’ve told or lies that have impacted you personally. And boy, was the response crazy! I ended up making a whole episode dedicated to lies. I want to try it again. Email me a voice memo. Chances are your story could make it on the show.

-------

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

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When I started this podcast, I reported on a secretive church in the foothills of western North Carolina called the Word of Faith Fellowship.

The church, accused of being a cult, separates families—forcing them to break ties with non-believers.

A history of documented abuse

One teenager named Matthew Fenner pressed charges against five church ministers because he said they beat the gay demons out of him.

And that’s just the beginning. Several former members remember spending weeks and months in forced isolation. Some male congregants say they lived in a makeshift storage unit for over a year. Locals know them best for their signature style of prayer—blasting. As you can hear in this secret audio recording, blasting is a form of deliverance meant to cast out the devil.

Word of Faith Fellowship Revisited

The episode you’re about to listen to is my first 3 episodes rolled into one.

To listen to my 11-part series on the Word of Faith Fellowship, start here:

https://pretendradio.org/episode/who-is-jane-whaley-word-of-faith-fellowship/

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John Browning investigates real blood-sucking vampires—people who need human blood to survive. 

In today's episode, we will talk about real people who claim to be real vampires. 

Self-harm

You know, we bantered about tapping into veins and arteries from the vantage point of vampires feasting on blood. But if you remove the word vampire from our conversation, it starts sounding like a much more familiar crisis...self-harm.  

It's not uncommon for some of us with depression or anxiety to inflict pain on ourselves. The physical wounds hurt, but it's nowhere near as painful as the emotions inside our heads and hearts. So if you're listening to this, there are different places you can seek help. First, talk to a pro. You can use online counselors like BetterHelp, a real-life therapist, or even reach out to a friend. There are also crisis lines where you can text and talk to an actual human for free. Text HOME to 741741, Again text HOME to 741741. I'll have a list of numbers you can text for my international friends in the show notes. 

https://www.crisistextline.org/

• Get Help
• US: Text 741741
• CA: Text 741741
• UK: Text 85258
• Ireland: 50808

Sophrpsyne

Music featured in this episode is from Sophrosyne. Check out their music on Spotify.

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On September 12, 2022, Frank Abagnale was honored with a Heroes in Ethics award at Xavier University. An ethics award for a conman!

Unlike the general public, who were spellbound by the myth surrounding Abagnale's life, Xavier University knew precisely who they were honoring that night. They can't claim ignorance because I wrote the University and told them they had the wrong guy. Frank Abagnale doesn't deserve an ethics award. He lied about his entire life story. Was Malala busy that week? She deserves an ethics award. But despite knowing the truth, Xavier University went along with their little ethics ceremony anyway. 

Xavier University's mission is built on moral and ethical responsibility- that's what it says on its website. And out of all the people in the world making a difference, they chose to honor a guy who ripped off his girlfriend and is accused of feeling up college girls pretending to be a doctor-slash pilot recruiter. But, seriously, did they even read this guy's Wikipedia page?

Picture a room full of business students, professors, lawyers, accountants, and even current members of the FBI eagerly awaiting Frank Abagnale's Heroes in Ethics acceptance speech. Little does Frank Abagnale know that Jim Grinstead, host of the Scams and Cons podcast, was in the audience. Jim planned to confront Frank Abagnale during the Q&A portion of the ceremony.

Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.

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Listen to ad-free episodes and bonus interviews that didn't make it on the show

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What if I told you that Frank Abagnale wasn't the only con artist in his family? His older brother used multiple aliases, faked his career as a therapist, and was even accused of kidnapping a 7-year-old girl.

This episode reveals the dark and puzzling secrets of Frank Abagnale's family history.

Correction: In the episode, I mention that Susan was married to Roy Abagnale from 1970 to 1978 - but it was actually 1978 to 1992.

 __________

Bonus episodes

Sleepover with Leo:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/sleepover-with-71435815?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator

Pernilla busted the Tinder Swindler. Hear her thoughts on Frank Abagnale

https://www.patreon.com/posts/pernilla-busted-72501591?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator

 __________

Have you followed PRETEND on TikTok and Instagram? 

Help me start a trending sound. Use this sound of Frank Abagnale denying writing his book, movie, and Broadway play: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7145467873979338030?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

Here are some examples:

https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7145483295080385835?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7145536351801462062?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7145816794819841326?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

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This series is not just a story about a con man who lied about his past experiences. No, it's much bigger than that. This series is about correcting history. For decades, we've celebrated Frank Abagnale's life. He's invaded our living rooms in countless tv interviews. He's had Leonardo DiCaprio play him in a movie. John Williams even scored his superhero theme song. And his life has even been turned into a musical that one reviewer wrote: "is an amazing true story with a happy ending we all need."

But it turns out that America's favorite con man is really just another petty criminal who's never really repaid all the money he stole. But if we zoom out, this is the story of the spread of misinformation. Where politicians and other grifters have taken a page out of Abagnale's book and learned that if they repeat multiple lies over and over, most people won't question it. And they can get away with it.

Frank claims he evaded the FBI for five years. They couldn't catch him even if they tried. Sure, he admits he finally got arrested, but in his version of the story, he's the hero working undercover for the FBI.

I may not believe his account, but I think he won in the end. The guy is in his mid-70s, lives in a multi-million-dollar island home, and makes a pre-school teacher's annual salary every time he takes the stage. He made it! And besides his alleged victims, no one seems to question his success. He fooled us all.

And he would have gotten away with too, if it weren't for this meddling kid and his scrappy friend from Belfast. (The Irish guy is Alan Logan, the author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth.) We're on a mission to set the record straight. So that when you ask someone if they know who Frank Abagnale is, Instead of it being based on a true story, they'll tell you that he made it all up.

Abagnale may have been on the run for the last 50 to 40 years, getting away with his biggest lie. But guess what?

We caught him.

Listen to part 6 of The Real Catch Me If You Can, then send me a voice memo with your thoughts on this series. Your audio could make it on the show. Email me at [email protected].

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I confronted Frank Abagnale in Las Vegas, NV. He claims he posed as a pilot, a lawyer, a doctor, and a professor from the age of sixteen to twenty-one years old. But how is that possible if he was sitting in prison most of that time? You won't believe his response.

_______

Watch the Abagnale saga unfold:

• YouTube - search for Pretend Podcast
• TikTok - @pretendpod
• Instagram - @pretendpod

______

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-Get early access to episodes

-Bonus content

-Stickers and t-shirts!

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We've spent the last three episodes debunking the infamous Frank Abagnale myth. If he wasn't posing as a doctor, a lawyer, or a professor, then what the heck was Frank Abagnale up to? This is the story Abagnale never talks about.

_______

Part 5 will be available soon on Patreon.

https://pretendradio.org/donate/

_______

Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.

Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5

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Two reporters destroy Frank Abagnale's story. Yet nobody cared. 

_______

Listen to part 4 right now on Patreon:

https://pretendradio.org/donate/

Special Thanks to:

Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.

Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5

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Frank Abagnale claims he never stole money from the little guy—it was all victimless crimes. But that's not what I found. Hear the story of one family who says they were robbed blind by Abagnale.

_______

Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.

Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5

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This might be my favorite PRETEND series of all time. 

Remember the movie Catch Me If You Can? Most people believe the film is based on a true story. But, did you know it's mostly made up? I spent the last few weeks and months pouring over court records, police reports, and other documents to prove that Frank Abagnale faked his entire life story. It turns out that the real story behind Catch Me If You Can is actually a lot more fascinating than the one you thought you knew.

_______

Fact-checking for this episode by Kate Gallagher.

Special thanks to Alan Logan, author of The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/173619741X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_5EAWP7S0XC5J1WJQF2D5

_______

Jordan Harbinger

Search for The Jordan Harbinger Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts

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What if I told you that 90% of Frank Abagnale's claims are totally made up? Yeah, that's right. The most extraordinary con man in the world never actually did the crimes he claims he did.

In the new season of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva debunks Frank Abagnale’s claims one by one, not with opinions but with court and prison records. This series also gives voice to new victim testimonies. In the end, Leiva travels to Las Vegas to confront Abagnale about his lies. This is the real-life Catch Me If You Can.

Listen to part 1 now on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

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Fred Brito posed as a priest in order to hide from law enforcement. Find out how he ALMOST got away with it.

__________

Follow PRETEND on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

__________

True Crime Podcast Festival 2022 in Dallas, TX

We’re excited to announce that Criminal Conduct is going to be attending the True Crime Podcast Festival on August 26-28th in Dallas, Texas. The Festival is specially designed around your desire to mingle, interact, and have casual conversations with the podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be panel discussions and live episodes you can’t hear anywhere else!

Go to the website Truecrimepodcastfestival.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. I’ll see you at the True Crime Podcast Festival!

__________

Listen to a preview for the Stolen Lives Podcast at the end of the episode:

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Fred Brito worked as a psychiatrist, priest, and a Red Cross fundraiser—but it was all based on lies.

______________

Follow PRETEND on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

______________

True Crime Podcast Festival 2022 in Dallas, TX

We’re excited to announce that Criminal Conduct is going to be attending the True Crime Podcast Festival on August 26-28th in Dallas, Texas. The Festival is specially designed around your desire to mingle, interact, and have casual conversations with the podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be panel discussions and live episodes you can’t hear anywhere else!

Go to the website Truecrimepodcastfestival.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. I’ll see you at the True Crime Podcast Festival!

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David Berry took an at-home DNA test and discovered dozens of half-siblings. Was this a coincidence or the scheme of one sperm donor?

______________

True Crime Podcast Festival 2022 in Dallas, TX

We’re excited to announce that Criminal Conduct is going to be attending the True Crime Podcast Festival on August 26-28th in Dallas, Texas. The Festival is specially designed around your desire to mingle, interact, and have casual conversations with the podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be panel discussions and live episodes you can’t hear anywhere else!

Go to the website Truecrimepodcastfestival.com to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices do go up the closer we get to the event so you won’t want to wait. I’ll see you at the True Crime Podcast Festival!

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Does death start when your heart stops beating? What if technology can extend our lives and gives us immortality? Today's episode is about one son who turned his dying father into a chatbot.

Here After AI

https://www.hereafter.ai/

Replika

https://replika.com/

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Today, we're talking about deepfakes.

Deepfakes are video or audio of a person in which their face, body, and/or voice has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else. And we're not just talking about some harmless Snapchat filters. This tech can start wars and destroy lives.

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Luxxury rips apart your favorite songs. 

Check out his TikTok feed for more videos on interpolation.

https://www.tiktok.com/@luxxuryxx/

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Lauren Passell, the founder of Tink Media, interviews Javier in celebration of PRETEND's 100th episode.

Subscribe to Lauren's incredible podcast newsletter:

https://podcastthenewsletter.substack.com/

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In Season 2 of PRETEND, I covered the story of a serial killer who murdered at least five American ex-pats. Three years after the story aired, I received a message from a listener who said she could put me in touch with the killer.

I decided to turn my interviews with Wild Bill into an entire season of CRIMINAL CONDUCT.

Listen to part 1 of Criminal Conduct season 3 then subscribe to listen to the rest:

https://linktr.ee/criminalconduct

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Rebekah Sebastian and Javier Leiva visit businesses run by cults. Also, what happens when a cult leader dies or goes to prison? Can the cult go on without its leader? Find out which cults are trying to continue the organization without any clear leadership.

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Cults are businesses too. Like any company, cults recruit, have middle management, and some even have succession plans. 

Many of these religious sects are tax-exempt. Like Scientology, even some fringe religions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. 

Not all cults are religious. At first glance, some cults don't seem culty at all. For example, take a closer look at businesses such as multi-level marketing companies. These companies are masquerading as a business, but in reality, they're run by narcissistic ego-maniacs. 

The Cult Startup 

Like businesses, cults go through different phases. First, there's a startup phase where an entrepreneurial cult leader leads a movement and brings new innovative and revolutionary ideas. Take, for example, Jim Jones, leader of the People's Temple. In the beginning, he integrated his congregation during the Civil Rights Movement. After that, he was heavily involved in politics and social activism. The allure was undeniable. But in the end, Jones ordered 909 commune members to end their lives.  

The Cult Franchise

Then, there comes the point where the cult needs to expand its Business and influence. Take, for example, The Twelve Tribes religious sect. This organization, widely considered a cult, operates several businesses worldwide. I visited one of their Yellow Deli restaurants for the second installment of this series. 

The Cult Exit Strategy

If you're not evolving, you're dying. And sometimes, literally dying. So, what happens when a cult becomes too big to fail? Some morally bankrupt cult leaders resort to mass suicide. Other cults grow so big and fast that they become worldwide institutional organizations. 

The Business of Cults 

The Business of Cults is a three-part series hosted by Rebekah Sebastian with the DIELAOGUE Podcast and Javier Leiva of PRETEND podcast. 

Part one focuses on The C Suite: Chief Cult Executives. Part two features an interview with former NXIVM member Sarah Edmondson. And Part three explores the question, can a cult survive without its leader?

Listen to part two now on Patreon.

Buy the t-shirt for this week's episode. Collage art by @kelletteworks

https://pretend-radio-3.creator-spring.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cults are businesses too. Like any company, cults recruit, have middle management, and some even have succession plans. 

Many of these religious sects are tax-exempt. Like Scientology, even some fringe religions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. 

Not all cults are religious. At first glance, some cults don't seem culty at all. For example, take a closer look at businesses such as multi-level marketing companies. These companies are masquerading as a business, but in reality, they're run by narcissistic ego-maniacs. 

The Cult Startup 

Like businesses, cults go through different phases. First, there's a startup phase where an entrepreneurial cult leader leads a movement and brings new innovative and revolutionary ideas. Take, for example, Jim Jones, leader of the People's Temple. In the beginning, he integrated his congregation during the Civil Rights Movement. After that, he was heavily involved in politics and social activism. The allure was undeniable. But in the end, Jones ordered 909 commune members to end their lives.  

The Cult Franchise

Then, there comes the point where the cult needs to expand its Business and influence. Take, for example, The Twelve Tribes religious sect. This organization, widely considered a cult, operates several businesses worldwide. I visited one of their Yellow Deli restaurants for the second installment of this series. 

The Cult Exit Strategy

If you're not evolving, you're dying. And sometimes, literally dying. So, what happens when a cult becomes too big to fail? Some morally bankrupt cult leaders resort to mass suicide. Other cults grow so big and fast that they become worldwide institutional organizations. 

The Business of Cults 

The Business of Cults is a three-part series hosted by Rebekah Sebastian with the DIELAOGUE Podcast and Javier Leiva of PRETEND podcast. 

Part one focuses on The C Suite: Chief Cult Executives. Part two features an interview with former NXIVM member Sarah Edmondson. And Part three explores the question, can a cult survive without its leader?

Listen to part two now on Patreon.

Buy the t-shirt for this week's episode. Collage art by @kelletteworks

https://pretend-radio-3.creator-spring.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm working on a new series on cults that's really exciting. While you wait, here's a fun little bonus episode for you.

Moxie LaBouche, host of the Your Brain on Facts podcast, and I talk about our favorite scams.

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In this podcast episode

A conversation with Jack Barsky, a former KGB spy.

For 10 years, Jack Barsky was a sleeper agent spying for the Soviet Union. His job was to obtain secret or confidential information from inside the United States any way he could.

The KGB Spy

Jack Barsky spied on the United States from 1978 to 1988. And that entire time, his primary mission was to become an American. And that's precisely what he did. He moved to New York City, got a job as a computer programmer, and lived an unremarkable life. He made friends and other relationships while being Moscow's eyes and ears. But his clandestine mission as a sleeper agent was bound to end.

"The KGB, for some reason, got spooked and thought my cover was blown," said Barsky.

The message was clear. Jack Barsky was exposed and needed to return to Moscow.

Double agent

Jack Barsky's birth name is Albrecht Dittrich. When he first joined the KGB, he didn't see himself as a spy. Instead, he and other recruits thought of themselves as scouts for peace. The spies are the enemies of the West.

The KGB spy living the American Dream

Jack Barsky never intended for his story to get out. So for 10 years, Barsky assumed the identity of a dead child. He took the boy's name, birth certificate, and social security number. The mission was to infiltrate, extract secrets and get out. But eventually, his years as a sleeper agent were exposed to the world.

Hear the true story of this KGB's spy career came to an end.

Special Thanks to

Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork. Purchase a t-shirt with this episode's artwork here.

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org.

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

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WARNING: This episode contains details about Santa Claus that younger listeners will not appreciate. If you have little ones around, plugin your headphones. 

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Javier

Check out the Christmas Past podcast with Brian Earl for more magical fun listening.

https://christmaspast.media/

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John Mack, a respected Harvard psychologist, uses hypnosis to recover memories of alien abductions.

Alien abductions and hypnosis

Like they say on the X-files, "the truth is out there." Throughout history, people claimed to have seen many unexplainable things. Some have tangible proof, like the leaked U.S. Navy cock pit videos chasing unidentified flying objects. Other experiencers don't have any evidence at all. The only thing they have are their memories. Maybe the answer is buried deep in our subconscious? 

In today's episode, we'll introduce you to a Harvard professor who used hypnosis to help people recover memories from possible alien abductions. Sure, there are people out there who claim they encountered beings from another planet just to seek attention. But, others carry these experiences in secret. 

John Mac and psychology of alien abductions

John Mack was a respected Harvard psychologist who became fixated with people claiming to have been abducted or encountered alien beings. Ralph Blumenthal recently wrote John Mack's biography titled, "Believer: Alien Encounters, hard science, and the passion of John Mack." 

Blumenthal says that at first, Dr. John Mack tried to explain these encounters through other means. First, are these people insane? Are they hucksters looking to make some money? But Dr. Mack found their stories to be credible. Most of his patients never came out publicly with their stories. Instead, they sought his help to grapple with their tormented past. In the 1990s, John Mack conducted hundreds of interviews with men and women of all ages who claimed they had not just one but recurring alien encounters. And one method he used during these interviews was hypnosis. 

Alien abductions or sleep paralysis?

Maybe there's a more straightforward medical explanation for all of this. What if some people weren't experiencing an abduction but sleep paralysis? Sleep paralysis is that feeling you get when you're in between sleep and being awake. You're awake, but you can't control or move your body. 

Studies have shown that Sleep paralysis is much more common than we think. Studies suggest at least 40 percent or 50 percent of all people experience sleep paralysis at least once. However, John Mack argues that his patients did not experience sleep. Instead, many of his patients experienced encounters in daylight and were wide awake.

Special Thanks to

Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork

You can purchase the Hypnotist t-shirt here

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Is hypnosis used in criminal investigations?

Believe it or not, law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the US routinely use hypnosis as a form of forensic evidence. And in some states, evidence gained from forensic hypnosis is admissible in court. Even the federal government allows hypnosis under certain circumstances. 

What is investigative hypnosis?

When law enforcement hits a dead end, they sometimes rely on investigative hypnosis to solve the case. Specially trained law enforcement officers guide witnesses into a hypnotic trance to better recall a crime. But are the memories they recall even accurate? Medical experts say memories recovered after hypnosis can't be considered fact. 

Texas leads the country in investigative hypnosis.

Many states ban the practice because its use leads to wrongful convictions. But one state leads the country in prosecuting citizens using hypnosis as a primary form of evidence. That state is Texas. 

The Dallas Daily News reports that at least 11 people in Texas were executed in cases where police used hypnosis. Today, 4 people are on Texas death row because of this practice. 

The Memory Room

Dave Boucher and Lauren Mcgaughy are investigative reporters who spent more than a year investigating the story you're about to listen to. Their two-part series is titled "The Memory Room." It's about the case of Helen Barbre, a Texas college student who was savagely attacked in the middle of the night. She couldn't recognize her attacker, so she used hypnosis to identify him. 

Here's a link to their series titled "The Memory Room":

https://interactives.dallasnews.com/2020/memory-room-dallas-texas-police-use-investigative-hypnosis-to-convict-life-death-row/

Featured Promo:

Caper - An Original Multilingual True Crime Series

Special Thanks to:

Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork

You can purchase the Hypnotist t-shirt here

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 https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend

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I got hypnotized to recall a childhood trauma.

In part one of The Hypnotist, I interviewed several hypnotherapists to answer the question: what is hypnosis? The short answer is a trancelike state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject.*

In part two, I try hypnosis for myself to see what all the fuss is about. You see, when I was 8-months old, I pulled the cord of an electric rice cooker and suffered 3rd-degree burns on the left side of my body. I don’t remember a thing. In this episode, I’ll let you listen to my hypnotic regression session. Then, hear for yourself if I was able to recover these lost memories.

Special Thanks to

Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork

You can purchase the Hypnotist t-shirt here

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I want to undergo hypnotic regression, experience it for myself, and try to unlock memories from my childhood that should probably never resurface. Can hypnosis help me recover that memory? 

So, what the hell is hypnosis anyway? 

What is hypnosis? Is hypnosis even a real thing? The word "hypno" comes from the Greek word "hypnus," which means sleep. And the suffix "osis" describes a process or state. So, is hypnosis a state of hibernation? Or is it something in between? looked it up.  

Webster's dictionary states that hypnosis is "a trancelike state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject." Another dictionary says that hypnosis is "the induction of a state of consciousness." A person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction. It makes it sound like the person under hypnosis is some kind of puppet.  

But maybe these dictionaries have it all wrong? What if hypnosis was another word for relaxation or meditation? I guess my point is that two freaking dictionaries can't agree on a definition; how are we supposed to know what it really is? 

Can regression therapy help you remember a forgotten memory?

Regression therapy is a hypnotic treatment that focuses on recovering lost memories that are getting in the way of our everyday lives.

When I was 8 months old, I burned almost 30% of my body. I'm sure no one really knew if I was going to make it. One study shows that children younger than 48 months with burns on more than 30% of the body surface had a higher mortality rate than adults with identical injuries. But survival rates after a burn have significantly improved over the years. Even children with more significant burns can survive.

I've imagined this accident over and over in my head all of my life. Ever since I can remember, I've wondered what it was like. I know; it's morbid. But I've been curious. So, I contacted a local hypnotherapist to see if he could help me access these lost memories.

But how do you access memories from when you were a toddler? Ask any medical professional or psychologist, and they will tell you that most adults can't remember anything before their third birthday. It's called Childhood Amnesia. That's because the hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps us recall life experiences, hasn't fully developed. Another reason is that kids don't start really talking until about three.

This podcast is about deception. Typically, the stories are about someone else pulling the wool over our eyes. But when it comes to hypnosis, is our mind the one playing tricks on us?

Listen to part 2 now on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/hypnotist-part-2-58412331

Have you undergone hypnosis?

Send me a voice memo with your story at [email protected].

Special Thanks to

Kellette Elliott for the custom collage artwork

You can purchase the Hypnotist t-shirt here

Preview Ravi Patil's new podcast Institrve wherever you get your podcasts institrve.com

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John Browning investigates real blood-sucking vampires—people who need human blood to survive. 

In today's episode, we will talk about real people who claim to be real vampires. 

Self-harm

You know, we bantered about tapping into veins and arteries from the vantage point of vampires feasting on blood. But if you remove the word vampire from our conversation, it starts sounding like a much more familiar crisis...self-harm.  

It's not uncommon for some of us with depression or anxiety to inflict pain on ourselves. The physical wounds hurt, but it's nowhere near as painful as the emotions inside our heads and hearts. So if you're listening to this, there are different places you can seek help. First, talk to a pro. You can use online counselors like BetterHelp, a real-life therapist, or even reach out to a friend. There are also crisis lines where you can text and talk to an actual human for free. Text HOME to 741741, Again text HOME to 741741. I'll have a list of numbers you can text for my international friends in the show notes. 

https://www.crisistextline.org/

• Get Help
• US: Text 741741
• CA: Text 741741
• UK: Text 85258
• Ireland: 50808

Sophrpsyne

Music featured in this episode is from Sophrosyne. Check out their music on Spotify.

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Michael shreds a mean "pretend" guitar. He's also a PRETEND podcast supporter on Patreon.

If you want to co-host an episode with me, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon/ Patreon Guest Co-host: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio

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Lee King spilled the beans on his family's secret—leading to his father’s arrest.

Hannah’s boyfriend, Lee King, is hiding a big secret; and it’s not just about his multiple fiances. It turns out his father, “Fast” Eddie Maher is an international fugitive.

Fast Eddie, an international fugitive, was on the run for 20 years until his son gave him up.

Today’s episode was brought to us by a long-time PRETEND listener, Kim Evans.

Kim knew her daughter’s new boyfriend was no good. So, she did everything in her power to expose him. It turns out, he was hiding a secret that would eventually lead to the arrest of his father, Eddie Maher.

What’s your PRETEND story?

If you have a story to tell, do what Kim Evans did and send me an email at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org. You never know; your story could make it on the show.

The Christmas Lie

Also, I’m working on a Christmas episode. Do you remember when you learned about the big lie? You know, the one about the big guy who magically squeezes down the chimney at night and leaves gifts for children all over the world? You know which lie I’m talking about. If you have a fun Christmas story, send it my way.

Thank you for your support

Also, I want to thank Alex, Beth Cail and Corey Trevorson for supporting the show. I really couldn’t do this show without you.

Want to help keep PRETEND going? Buy me a coffee or throw a few dollars in the hat, head on over to patreon.com/pretendradio.

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Ransomware. Does that term ring a bell?

Even if you've never heard those words before, trust me, most of us have experienced Ransomware one way or another.

If you live on the East Coast, you remember waiting long hours at the gas pump this past May. That's because a hacking group known as DarkSide hacked the Colonial Pipeline. The hackers demanded a ransom for 75 bitcoins which is equivalent to $4.4 million.

How did the hackers break into the oil company's system? Easy. Some employees used the same password they used on another account that was previously hacked.

And guess what? Colonial Pipeline paid the ransom and the hackers. $4.4. million dollars—gone, just like that.

The Justice Department was able to eventually recover half of the money, $2.2 million.

When we hear about news like this, we mostly ignore it. Until we run out of gas and everyone panics. But once we were able to fill up our tanks again, we all moved on and put it behind us.

We often ignore stories like these because, on the surface, it sounds like hackers are attacking large corporations with tons of cash. They've got the money.

But what if I tell you that the real victims here are not just the companies, but really it's you and me. What do you think happens if the company that got hacked decides not to pay the ransom?

If the company doesn't cave to the hacker's demands, the hacker will dump the company's data and make it publicly available on the dark web. By the way, the company's data is comprised of your social security number, date of birth, driver's license, and health insurance information... everything an identity thief needs to financially destroy you.

In today's episode, we'll talk to a guy whose job is to negotiate with these hackers. We're also going to talk about how you can protect your most valuable information.

Today's guests are:

Kurtis Minder - CEO and co-founder at GroupSense

Eva Velasquez - President and CEO, of the Identity Theft Resource Center

Freeze your credit to protect yourself from Ransomware

Equifax

Online: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/

Experian

Online: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html

TransUnion

Online: https://service.transunion.com/dss/orderStep1_form.page

Use a password manager

1Password

KeePass Password

Want to be my co-host?

I want to send a sincere thank you to Rachel Sincere for supporting PRETEND on Patreon. Rachel, you're amazing. Also, as a reminder, I've added a new tier on Patreon. Not only will you get a PRETEND t-shirt and stickers. But these new supporters will get the chance to co-host a Patreon and YouTube episode with me. Like Michael V, who played in the Air Guitar World Championship. People pretending to play guitar! It's apparently a big thing. I'll let you know when that episode is out. So if you want to co-host with me, visit PRETEND on Patreon.com.

Cam Cokas

Finally, I want to end the show by sharing an indie artist I've been listening to lately. His name is Cam Cokas, and the track is called Don't Quit or Try. Please check out Cam Cokas on Spotify or wherever you get your jams.

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Sean David Morton was arrested in 2016 after being charged with more than 50 counts related to filing phony tax documents and bogus government bonds. He was also accused of conspiracy to defraud the IRS. These are similar tactics used by sovereign citizens—but Sean David Mortin doesn't like that label. 

You see, Sean David Morton's name is synonymous with the sovereign citizen movement. The New York Times wrote a whole piece about him titled, "How Sovereign Citizens Helped Swindle $1 billion from the government they disavow." So, when it comes to Sovereign Citizens, I thought Sean Mortin was the guy. But now he's telling me that sovereign citizens are idiots. Interesting. 

If you're unfamiliar with this sub-culture, you should check out my episode on Sovereign Citizens. To listen to my interview with Sean David Morton, check out the episode The Sovereign Man where ever you listen to podcasts. 

Patreon Bonus with Sean David Morton

To listen to more of my interview with Sean Morton, check out the FREE bonus episode on Patreon.

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org.

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

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Where do sovereign citizens go when they need medical attention? Some of them seek help from homeopathic quacks like Rick Van Thiel.

Rick Van Thiel is not a surgeon. In reality, he's a porn star operating on people with dirty scalpels, reused needs, surrounded by filth. And the worst part is, he performs his surgeries in the nude.

The last episode about sovereign citizens was just exposition for what you’re about to hear. I first learned about this story from Jerri William’s podcast called FBI retired Case File Review. Jerri Williams is a retired FBI agent who interviews other former agents on her show. If you haven’t listened to it, you’re missing out. Her episode haunted me for days. So, I asked Jerri if I can share this story with you. If you thought the last sovereign citizen episode was shocking, wait till you hear this.

Disclaimer

It’s safe to assume that most PRETEND episodes are not suitable for young children. Unfortunately, this is one of those episodes. In fact, trigger warning, today, we’re going to talk about sexual assault and suicide. This episode is actually pretty disgusting. So, if you have the stomach for it, please proceed. You’ve been warned.

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is a sovereign citizen? 

American Sovereign citizens believe that the laws of the United States do not apply to them. Therefore, no authority should tell them what to do: not judges, lawmakers, lawyers, or police officers. Oh, and they don't pay taxes either. 

Sounds crazy, right? It would be crazy if they didn't get away with it so often.

________

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the very first episode I recorded for PRETEND. Hear how a small-time crook went from breaking into houses to running a phony medical clinic.

-------

FEATURING: Follow the Truth Podcast Trailer

In 1993, James Jordan, father of NBA legend Michael, was murdered in NC. Was the wrong man convicted of pulling the trigger? E1 and E2 release date: 7/22/21

Check out Follow the Truth Podcast:

https://t.co/b4grdGjwJp?amp=1

________

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we revisit one of PRETEND's most popular episodes. It's called the Hijacker and it's a collaboration with my friend Chris Knittel. Hear Martin McNally describe the day he hijacked a plane.

________

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jules Hannaford from the Fool Me Twice podcast joins me to talk about 4 years of PRETEND.

________

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sham vol.1

This week, I turn the mic over to you. Two listeners share stories about their run-in with a con artist.

Our first story is from a long-time listener named Paul Schiffbauer Jr. He tells us about the time he learned the truth about the family business.

Our second story is about a listener whose con artist husband destroyed her life.

Links from the episode:

Amusement Only by Paul Schiffbauer Sr.

https://amzn.to/3uxsbto

Do you have a story to share?

Leave me a voicemail 919-444-2800

or email me at [email protected]

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are two sides to Billy. There's Billy, who just wants to do the right thing. And then there's the criminal lurking from within.

So which way did he go? Did Billy end up becoming a criminal? Or did he choose to be the good guy in his own story? Well, he decided to do both.

If you've listened to this show long enough, you know I go to great lengths to fact-check my episodes. But today is different because it's tough to corroborate Billy's stories. And that's okay. One of my favorite movies is Big Fish with Ewan McGregor. It's about a man who lived an extraordinary life. In the end, it turned out that most of his tall tales were true--but just a little skewed due to time.

And that's how I feel about Billy. Some of these stories are too incredible to be real. But they might be. He's always wrestled between being the good guy and the bad guy. And in the end, managed to be both a criminal and a cop.      

So lean back, relax, and grab your adult beverage of choice. Because today we're going to spend the next half hour or so chatting with Billy the Liquor Guy.

Get a copy of Under Too Long by Billy the Liquor Guy:

https://amzn.to/3sWlmjo    

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org.

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

Featured promo for Missing Persons and DNA:ID podcast

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This week's episode is actually the first episode of my other podcast CRIMINAL CONDUCT.

I wanted you, PRETEND listeners to get a sneak peek before it's debut on April 16th. If you like this episode, subscribe to the CRIMINAL CONDUCT feed to listen to the full episode.

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Criminal Conduct is back with a brand new case.

This season, John and Javier investigate a rogue constable in Kentucky who is accused of planting drugs, stealing money, and shaking people down.

Like a police officer, a constable can carry a gun, a badge and drive around town with blue lights. However, unlike police, a Constable has all the powers of a sheriff. He answers to no one but the voters on election day.

Criminal Conduct season 2 returns April 16th.

http://criminalconduct.net/

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Doug Williams, the former Oklahoma City police officer who is best known for his crusade against the polygraph industry, teaches an undercover federal agent how to beat the lie detector test. The agent confessed that he had sex with a minor and was smuggling drugs into a prison. Should Doug Williams continue the training? What if Doug William's techniques get into the wrong hands?

Watch the undercover sting on YouTube.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written and edited by Javier Leiva

Featured promo for Die-alogue Podcast

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Learn how to cheat a polygraph test. Ex-cop, Doug Williams, says it's a lot easier than you think. 

Doug Williams is looking over his shoulder because, since 1979, he's been on a crusade to defeat the polygraph machine. In 1996, he started a website called polygraph.com, offering a handbook and one-on-one training teaching people how to pass the test. 

"There is no Pinocchio response. Your nose does not grow when you lie." - Doug Williams, polygraph critic

According to Doug Williams, a lie detector test is about as accurate as a coin toss. He claims the machine doesn't work, and as a result, innocent people are paying the price. Many innocent people have pleaded guilty and skipped trial because they failed a polygraph during an interrogation. And employers routinely administered polygraph tests as part of their hiring process. If you fail a lie detector test in the US federal government, you're potentially placed on a blacklist and never allowed to apply for that government agency job again. 

Doug Willams says that the polygraph is just a stage prop used to scare people. How does he know this? Because he spent most of his law enforcement career using it as what he calls a psychological billy club. To him, it was just a tool to beat a confession out of a bad guy. But over the years, he realized that a polygraph test is just that... a test. It can be cheated. And he was going to devote the rest of his life to destroy it. 

Doug Williams made a career giving people polygraphs exams. Now, he's going to prison for teaching people how to cheat the test.    

To listen to the undercover tape that led to his arrest. 

Check out my latest episodes on YouTube:

Credits

This episode was reported by Javier Leiva. 

Special thanks to George Maschke with antipolygraph.org

Support PRETEND by becoming a member today at pretendradio.org/donate  

Featured promo for Movie Pitch Challenge 

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If you haven't listened to The Prophet series, start here:

http://pretendradio.org/the-prophet-word-of-faith-fellowship-revisited/

When I first started this podcast, I reported on a secretive church located in the foothills in western North Carolina called the Word of Faith Fellowship.

The church is accused of being a cult and separating families—forcing them to break ties with non-believers.

One teenager named Matthew Fenner pressed charges against five church ministers because he said they beat the gay demons out of him.

And that's just the beginning. Several former members reported being forced into isolation in what is known as the lower building. Some male congregants say they lived in this makeshift storage unit for over a year. But perhaps they're best remembered for their signature style of prayer. It's known as blasting. As you can hear in this secret audio recording, blasting is a form of deliverance meant to cast out the devil.

It has been said that crying babies were often held down and yelled at until the devil released its grip on the child. I've experienced blasting first hand. In 2018, I was personally invited by the church's leader,

Jane Whaley, to spend the day at the Word of Faith Fellowship. While interviewing her in her office, Jane Whaley looked me straight in the eyes, opened her mouth, and began shouting. It was terrifying. To this day, I still get chills.

It's been 2 years since I finished my 11-part series on the Word of Faith. Since then, I've been flooded with emails asking me to give them an update. They want to know, have there been any new allegations of abuse?

Have any of the church leaders faced any criminal charges? Is Jane Whaley still running the church? Today, I plan to answer some of these questions.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Logan Castrodale

Reference:

Covid-19 Timelines:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_United_States_(2020)

https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus

Threats against Word of Faith church over coronavirus rumor https://www.charlotteobserver.com/article242307531.html

Word of Faith church in NC received a PPP loan amid COVID https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article244084852.html

Lotz International LLC v. Burnette: 

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17404523/lotz-international-llc-v-burnette/

Case against Facebook commenters moves to state court:

https://www.shelbystar.com/story/special/2020/09/23/case-against-facebook-commenters-moves-to-state-court/43180133/

Former Word of Faith member charged with breaking into minister's home: https://wlos.com/news/local/former-world-of-faith-member-charged-with-breaking-into-ministers-home

Word of Faith member reaches plea deal in fraud scam:

https://wlos.com/news/local/word-of-faith-member-reaches-plea-deal-in-fraud-scam

Trump March:

https://youtu.be/yxUksEHZGag?t=350

Trump Rally:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7VJtRZBy-M

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tori Telfer, author of Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion joins us to talk about female con artists. Today, we're focusing on one of the women in her book—Bonny Lee Bakley, the wife of Hollywood actor Robert Blake.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written by Javier Leiva

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we're going to take another look at the opioid crisis, but this time from a pharmacist's perspective. But this is not just any pharmacist. Dan Schneider is a vigilante who helped bring down his son's killer, a pill mill, and one of Earth's largest pharmaceutical companies.

Watch the Pharmacist on Netflix:

https://www.netflix.com/title/81002576

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Today's episode was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Logan Castrodale.

______

Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this, visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes, go to pretendradio.org/donate

Today's episode was written by Javier Leiva and edited by Logan Castrodale

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A doctor caught trading prescriptions for cash leaves a trail of bodies behind. 

A respected anesthesiologist ran a pain-management clinic on the weekends out of a basement in Flushing Queens, New York.

Each Saturday, Dr. Stan Li saw more than seventy patients a day, writing prescriptions for Oxycontin, Xanax, and other opioids.

Today's episode features Charlotte Bismuth, author of Bad Medicine. 

Links

Here's a link to the Birth of a Con Man series.

Also, subscribe to the new PRETEND YouTube channel for a chance to win a t-shirt.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at info [at] pretendradio [dot] org.

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Johnny Depp played Donnie Brasco in the Academy Award-nominated film. But the real-life story of Donnie Brasco is even more fascinating. Joe Pistone, an FBI agent, went deep undercover as Brasco and spent six years inside the Bonanno and Columbo crime families.

The movie, if you remember, starts with Joe Pistone immediately infiltrating with the mob. In today's episode, we will talk about everything that happened before the movie even begins.

What was Donnie Brasco's backstory? Where did he come from, and how did he earn money? The FBI needed to figure out every single detail about this fictional character before Joe Pistone ever made the first contact with the mafia. They decided that Donnie Brasco was going to be a jewel thief. That required Pistone to learn how gemology, how to break into safes, and how to disable alarms.

In this episode, you will hear from Joe Pistone himself. You'll even get to listen to a real wiretap recording between Donnie Brasco and his associate Lefty Ruggiero.

If you want more, check out the new podcast "Deep Cover-The Real Donnie Brasco," Joe Pistone shares the true stories of his time with the mob to his friend and host actor Leo Rossi.

PRETEND is on YouTube

Make sure to subscribe to the PRETEND YouTube channel. I will pick 10 subscribers at random and mail them a screen printed PRETEND t-shirt.

"Fuhggedaboutit"

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Earl with the Christmas Past podcast shares a Christmas story you’ve probably never heard before. In the early 1900s, children’s letters to Santa Claus never made it to the North Pole. They landed in the dead letter office and were eventually destroyed.

But along came John Gluck, a hustler who took these letters to Santa and turned it into an opportunity to get rich and famous.

It’s the strange and true story of government agents, spies, an art thief, U.S. presidents, and gun-toting boy scouts.

Check out “My Dear Santa” with Brian Earl from the Christmas Past podcast

My Dear Santa: A True Crime Christmas Caper

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remember when we used to go out to parties? Well, since you can't really go out these days, today we're going to celebrate together. 

In this episode we're talking about party crashers.

Act 1:

How to crash a party

Our first story is about the art of crashing a party. What do you need to do to attend a party you weren't invited to without ever getting caught? Megan Gillikin a wedding planner and the host of the Wedding for Real Podcast shows us how.

Act 2:

The White House party crashers

Our second story, is about the greatest party crasher story of all time. The date was November 24th, 2009. Two Washington D.C. socialites were on their way to the White House state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Tareq and Michaele Salahi, the stars of the Real Housewives of D.C., crashed the White House State Dinner. How were they able to crash the most secure party on Earth?

Act 3:

A party crasher's confession

We end the show with stories from listeners like you about a time you crashed a party.

Oh, and by the way, just a warning. Some parts of this episode are not suitable for young children. Just want to put that out there.

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Have you ever crashed a party?

Do you have a party crashing story you would like to share? Leave me a voicemail at (919) 867-1871. Or email me javier [at] pretendradio [dot] org.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

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A real-life Indiana Jones? 

The word on the street is that Michael Torres is Ph.D. by day and a treasure hunter by night. Torres claims he has an aeronautical engineering degree from Duke University. Don’t believe him? He has a photo of his diploma. Michael Torres also claims to have taught at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He has the library card to prove it. 

When he’s not in the classroom, Torres is out looking for treasure. He claims he raided catacombs in Turkey, he’s recovered one of Sir Francis Drake’s sunken ship. And most recently, he discovered what he believes is a pre-Incan Peruvian burial mask off the eastern coast of Florida. 

But like unlike Dr. Indiana Jones, some have accused him of stolen valor by exaggerating his military career. They say Torres falsely represented himself as a war hero with two Purple Heart medals. 

His critics say not to believe a word he says. For instance, Michael Torres says he discovered a mass Jewish mass grave in Savannah, Georgia. Is he a serious treasure hunter or just a hack who makes up stories in order to gain attention? 

As a spectator in the world of fraud, I allow myself to get sucked in towards the center of the storm of lies. I do this with great caution. The closer I get, the more believable the stories get. And unlike victims, who are emotionally and financially invested, it's easier for me to circle just outside the hurricane's eye wall. 

In today’s episode, I’ll let you be the judge. Is Michael Torres a war hero/treasure hunter? Or is he a con artist?

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

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In this episode, Michael Torres discovers "a mass Jewish grave." But is it what he thinks it is? And I talk to the CEO of Seafarer Exploration to figure out why he hasn't found a single treasure in 13 years. 

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A modern-day pirate

Michael Torres is a self-proclaimed pirate. He says his most recent finds include the crown jewels of a pre-Incan civilization, a missing colonial settlement, and a desecrated Jewish burial site at Bonaventure cemetery. 

These larger-than-life discoveries have come into question. In today’s episode, we’ll follow the evidence to separate fact from fiction. 

Seafarer Exploration

Michael Torres is currently being sued by Seafarer Exploration, a treasure salvage company. The company says Torres lied about his credentials and has set them back financially. Today, we take a closer look at Seafarer Exploration to understand how this company stays afloat. After all, they’ve been around for 13 years, have millions of dollars in debt, and have yet to find a treasure.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

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A Florida treasure-hunting CEO says he was tricked by a conman.

Seafarer Exploration, a treasure salvage company, has spent the last 13 years trying to find a 300-year-old Spanish galleon sunken off the coast of Florida. A galleon is a large sailboat, with multiple leveled decks, and 3 or 4 masts. These ships were designed to carry large treasures found in the new world and bring them back to Spain. 

Lost treasure

In 1715, a Spanish fleet loaded up with silver departed from Havana, Cuba. Seven days later, a hurricane off the east coast of central Florida swooped in and took down eleven of the twelve ships. Hence, the reason they call this part of Florida the treasure coast. 

But as you can imagine, trying to find the mother load buried underneath the ocean is like finding a needle in a haystack. If Seafarer Exploration has any chance of finding this treasure, they are going to need to find someone who can build a ship that is powerful enough to scan the ocean floor. Imagine a giant floating metal detector that can capture high-resolution images of the seabed. That's when Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Seafarer Exploration, met a man who said, "Sure. I can build you this machine." His name was Dr. Michael Torres.  

Kyle Kennedy claims that Michael Torres presented himself as an aeronautical engineer who graduated with a doctorate degree from Duke University. Torres also said he taught at MIT Draper labs and represented the NSA while also working on multiple classified government contracts. Kyle Kennedy couldn't believe it. This Dr. Michael Torres guy was perfect! And on top of an unbelievable resume, Kennedy says that Dr. Torres was a wounded war hero, who served two tours in Afghanistan. He was even awarded the Purple Heart medal. 

The lawsuit

Fast-forward a few years later, Kyle Kennedy is now suing Michael Torres for fraud. He says Michael Torres is a con artist who faked his credential. 

So, who is this guy? Dr. Michael Torres? I'm going to track him down to find out if he really is who they say he is. It turns out that the conman in this story is not who you would expect.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

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A man says his best friend scammed him out of almost $100,000. Now, he's getting revenge.

Jonathan Walton fell for the oldest trick in the book. He said, “It wasn't some Nigerian Prince emailing me in my spam folder. It was a living, breathing, lovable woman.” That lovable woman’s name is Mair Smyth. She’s also known as Marianne Smyth, or Marianne Andle, or Marianne Welch. She has 23 known aliases.

The way Johnathan Walton describes her, Marianne Smyth is a gifted con artist who brilliantly juggles lies with ease. Each lie gracefully circles in the air, passing through her hands, without ever getting caught. But when she decided to rip off Johnathan Walton, she picked the wrong mark. 

You can learn more about this story by visiting https://johnathanwalton.com/

Bonus episode

Historical Cons - The man who sold the Brooklyn Bridge

Patreon exclusive episode

This is the first in a series of new Patreon only episodes. The series will focus on historical con artists. Today's episode is about the man who sold the Brooklyn Bridge.

This week, I'm joined by Rebekah Sebastian with the Die-alogue podcast and the Yellowtape true crime trivia show. 

Listen here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/42197195

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Confessions of a former identity thief 

Dartanyon A. Williams stole his parents' identities at the age of 15. Unfortunately, they weren’t his last victims. Dartanyon, who also goes by DAW, claims he has stolen thousands of identities. So many that he lost count. 

How to steal someone’s identity

How did he do it? He had many tactics. But the most proven technique was paying off employees at restaurants, car dealerships, and tax preparation companies. These employees served as double agents. When no one was looking, they would collect customer social security numbers and smuggle them to DAW. Today, DAW’s life of crime is behind him. He’s currently running for congress this November for the U.S. House to represent Louisiana's 6th Congressional District. 

How to protect your identity

These days, it’s just as easy to steal your identity from a breached database. Everything an identity thief needs to steal your identity is already online. What can you do to protect yourself? 

Click here to see if your email has been involved in a breached database:

https://haveibeenpwned.com/

Freezing your credit and setting up a fraud alert

I’ve taken the extreme step of freezing my credit. It’s actually not really that extreme. In fact, it’s quite easy. In this episode, you’ll hear how simple it is to lock down your credit so that no one can assume your identity. 

Michael Bazzell, a privacy consultant, walks me through the credit freeze process. For more details, download his step-by-step guide. 

Essentially, get a free credit report from one of the credit bureaus, then ask them to freeze your credit. This way, no one can open a line of credit under your name. If you ever need to unfreeze your credit, it’s easy. Just unfreeze your credit by going online or with a quick phone call. 

Equifax

Online: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/

Experian

Online: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html

TransUnion

Online: https://service.transunion.com/dss/orderStep1_form.page

Michael Bazzell

To learn more about Michael Bazzell, check out his website IntelTechniques.com and listen to his podcast The Privacy, Security, & OSINT show. 

I also recommend you buy a copy of Extreme Privacy: What it takes to disappear.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last two episodes, you heard from Michael Bazzell a privacy expert whose job is to make people disappear. But who is he? Why is he so passionate about privacy? And how exactly does he make people disappear? I'm going to do my best to figure him out. 

It turns out Michael Bazzell eats his own dog food. He's pretty much an invisible man. I have no idea where he lives or what he looks like. I've spent hours talking to Michael these past few months hoping that he will slip up and let out some detail about his private life. Nope. This guy is locked down and takes his privacy seriously. 

If you want to disappear, here is a checklist of things you’ll need to get started:

First, you’ll need a copy of Michael Bazzell’s book titled Extreme Privacy: What it takes to disappear.

A secure VPN to protect your location. Michael Bazzell says that a VPN is probably the single most important item on this list. 

A Faraday bag for your smartphone like this one. 

For more resources, make sure to visit inteltechniques.com. And make sure to check out Michael Bazzell’s podcast The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show.

It's time to reevaluate your digital privacy. Everything you need to know in order to live off the digital grid.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last episode, we talked about the wrong way to disappear. Faking your own death rarely works. But did you know that there are real people out there who legitimately need to fade away into society? 

Who needs to disappear?

There are many reasons to live anonymously. However, we’ve broken it down to four different archetypes: the executive, the celebrity, the victim, and the government employee. 

The executive

CEOs and business executives are easy targets. They take all the credit when things go right. But they’re also responsible any time something goes wrong. And when that happens they have to minimize the threat. It could be a disgruntled employee, or they'be a target because of their wealth. Recently, a Silicon Valley CEO was kidnapped and murdered by two former employees. Hear tactics executives use to live privately.

The celebrity

Today’s celebrities are more accessible than ever. Stars like Taylor Swift, Eminem, and UFC fighter Anthony Smith have had their homes broken into. Alison Sweeney, from Days of our Lives and the Biggest Loser, talks about balancing the limelight with basic privacy rights. 

The victim

Often times, domestic violence victims need to disappear in order to survive. Hear the story on how one victim fled her attacker. 

The government employee

Judges and prosecutors are often targets of intimidation and death threats. And police are targets too due to the heightened attention on police brutality and racial profiling. Learn how government employees eliminate the threat by making themselves impossible to find.

This series is a collaboration with Michael Bazzell. In the next few episodes, we’re going to show you to successfully vanish from society. You too can live undetected. It’s not just for wealthy CEOs. 

For more than 20 years, Michael Bazzell worked on behalf of the US government investigating computer crimes. He was also a consultant on the hacker show Mr. Robot. He no longer works for the government. These days, Michael Bazzell helps people disappear.

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Get Michael Bazzell's book:

Extreme Privacy: What it takes to disappear

Affiliate link disclaimer.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did Olivia Newton-John’s Former Boyfriend Fake His Own Death?Faking your own death is almost always a bad idea. Hear the story of Patrick McDermott, Olivia Newton John’s boyfriend, who many believe staged his own death. 

The wrong way to disappear

People have been playing dead since the beginning of time. There’s really no way of knowing for how long this has been going on. But I can imagine that the illusion of dying is closely correlated with the concept of debt. If you owe someone lots of money, you have two options: either pay it or run away. 

Patrick McDermott, Olivia Newton-John’s missing boyfriend, had every reason to run away. His film work had dried up and he owed his ex-wife thousands of dollars in back child support.

It took 10 days for anyone to realize he was missing. Olivia Newton-John wasn’t looking for him because they had just recently broken up. It wasn’t until he didn’t show up to pick up his son that his ex-wife noticed something was wrong. But people can’t just run away without leaving behind clues.  

Patrick McDermott was last seen after going on an overnight fishing trip. Was McDermott lost at sea or was he just on the run? The truth is, no one wanted to find out. His ex-wife filed a claim on his life insurance. And Olivia Newton John wanted the whole thing put behind her.

When the manager of the marina was asked about McDermott’s whereabouts, he said that Patrick McDermott’s name was indeed on the ship’s manifesto. And there was something else. He left behind his tackle box. Inside, they found his wallet, driver’s license, and car keys. 

Why would anyone want to fake their own death?

I haven’t seen any real study on this topic but I can imagine that there are many reasons why someone would want to leave their own life behind and start fresh. It could be forbidden love like in Romeo and Juliet. Or it can be greed—like someone trying to cash in on their own life insurance policy. When it comes to dying, people have many different motivations. 

How to disappear with Michael Bazzell

This series is a collaboration with Michael Bazzell, a privacy consultant and host of The PRIVACY, SECURITY, & OSINT Show. We’re going to show you the wrong way and the right way to disappear. 

Buy the book: Extreme Privacy: What it takes to disappear by Michael Bazzell:

https://amzn.to/2XFm4of

A special thanks to Philip Klein. If you want to read more about Patrick McDermott’s disappearance, check out the book “Lost at Sea: The hunt for Patrick McDermott.”

Buy the book: Lost at Sea

https://amzn.to/3ihMjcf

Affiliate link disclaimer.

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The COVID-19 pandemic is a conman’s Super Bowl. In times like these, when there's so much uncertainty, snake oil salesmen are ready to promise you a cure.

In this episode, you'll hear from a woman who takes one of these miracle drugs. I ask her why she takes it.

Special thanks to:

Joe Terrell with Instrument of Mercy https://instrumentofmercy.com/

A Concerned Citizen and host of Swindled

Sources:

https://www.who.int/csr/don/2011_11_24/en/

https://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170722143956/https:/www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/SafetyAlertsAdvisories/ucm184087.htm

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/04/what-can-coronavirus-tell-us-about-conspiracy-theories/610894/

https://news.gallup.com/poll/248837/church-membership-down-sharply-past-two-decades.aspx

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/holy-spirit-empowered-christian-global-pentecostal-study.html

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COVID-19 Scams

I wasn’t expecting to be back with a new PRETEND episode so soon. In fact, I’m still wrapping up the final episodes for my new show called CRIMINAL CONDUCT. But the world around us has changed. And scammers are on the prowl. 

If you live in the US, chances are you probably received your stimulus payment. It went either straight into your bank account through direct deposit. Or some of you may have cashed the check that you received in the mail. 

We’re talking about much-needed money for tens of millions of Americans out of work due to the Coronavirus. $1,200 for individuals and $3,400 for a family of four. 

The IRS has sent out 150 million payments so far since the time of this recording… but more payments are still expected to still arrive through the end of June. 

And if you haven’t received your check, you’re probably wondering what’s the hold-up? Unfortunately for some, your money is probably gone and in the hands of thieves. 

Today, I’m going to show you exactly how easy it is for scammers to steal your money. In fact, I’ve challenged a privacy expert to try and hack into my private information. I was really shocked at what he was able to find.

Resources:

Password managers

1Password.com (User-friendly and secure)

Bitwarden (More secure cloud-based password manager)

KeePassXC (More secure computer-based password manager) 

Search to see if you’re password is exposed in a breached database

https://haveibeenpwned.com/

Credit freezes

Credit Freeze Tutorial (Full Workbook) 

Annual Credit Report (Free credit report to detect fraud)

Enable 2-factor authentication on all platforms that support it https://twofactorauth.org/

Online removal workbook

https://inteltechniques.com/data/workbook.pdf

Additional resources

Michael Bazzell’s website Intel Techniques

Eva Velasquez Identity Theft Resource Center

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

//Criminal Conduct debuts on March 23rd.//

Get an inside look into the making of the new podcast. Thank you to Jerri Williams from FBI Retired Case File Review for helping us with this bonus episode.

You can listen to the episode one now on Patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/34832524

Subscribe to Criminal Conduct now so you won't miss an episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On September 2nd, 2010, 24 year-old Michelle O’Connell broke up with her boyfriend, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Deputy, Jeremy Banks. Minutes later, she was dead.

The St. Johns Sheriff’s Office quickly ruled the case a suicide, without examining crucial forensic evidence or interviewing any key witnesses. A medical examiner ruled her death a homicide, yet other investigations failed to gain traction.

Her boyfriend, Deputy Jeremy Banks was never charged and is still working as a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Years later, an amateur sleuth named Eli Washtock winds up murdered after investigating Michelle O’Connell’s death. What did he find out?

‘Criminal Conduct’ is an investigative true crime podcast series hosted by John Taylor and Javier Leiva. The hosts retrace the footsteps of Eli Washtock, the slain sleuth; picking up the investigation where he left off.

‘Criminal Conduct’ will be released in the spring of 2020. Subscribe now on all podcast platforms.

criminalconduct.net

Apple Podcast

https://apple.co/2S4KaoG

Google Play

http://bit.ly/CriminalConGoogle

Stitcher

http://bit.ly/CriminalConStitcher

Spotify

https://spoti.fi/2S0

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Joe Schmo Show is a real-life Truman Show—where everyone is an actor except one unsuspecting guy. It’s a reality show within a reality show. 

The series everyone watched on SPIKE TV was called The Joe Schmo show. But the show Matt Kennedy Gould thought he was participating in was called The Lap of Luxury—a Big Brother style television show. He had no idea that the people he was living with were all actors. 

The series was created by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese (Deadpool). It was hosted by Ralph Garman and written and produced by J. Holland Moore. Season one starred a young Kristen Wiig who played a quack psychiatrist. I must warn you. This show did not age well. It would not survive in today’s #metoo movement. Despite what it lacks in sensitivity, it makes up for in its ingenuity and heart. 

In this episode, Melissa with Moms and Murder and I talk with Chase Rogan, season three’s Joe Schmo, to find out what it’s like to be the star of television’s biggest hoax.

Credits

Today’s episode was written and produced by me and Melissa. 

Original music was provided by thechicken.net

Additional music by Blue dot sessions

All clips in this podcast were used in compliance with the US copyright act for fair use exemption, for criticism and commentary 

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Story idea?

If you have a story to share, email Javier a voice memo or short written description at [email protected].

For more episodes like this visit pretendradio.org.

To get early releases and bonus episodes go to pretendradio.org/donate

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A con artist save Christmas

Brian Earl with the Christmas Past podcast shares a Christmas story you’ve probably never heard before. In the early 1900s, children’s letters to Santa Claus never made it to the North Pole. They landed in the dead letter office and were eventually destroyed.

But along came John Gluck, a hustler who took these letters to Santa and turned it into an opportunity to get rich and famous.

It’s the strange and true story of government agents, spies, an art thief, U.S. presidents, and gun-toting boy scouts.

Check out “My Dear Santa” with Brian Earl from the Christmas Past podcast

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Credits

Today’s show was written and edited by Javier Leiva.

Our theme music was written and composed by Joe Basile with TheChicken.net.

Additional music by Podington Bear.