YouTube Star Kitboga Fights Fraud With Humor
YouTube star Kitboga delights his 3.3 million followers with his many characters and laughs at the expense of online criminals. Bob sits down with him for a humorous and enlightening conversation.
SIM Swapping: A Multimillion Dollar Scam
The media dubs a 15-year-old "Baby Al Capone" after he steals millions from Michael Terpin's cryptocurrency wallets
Holiday Scams: What to Look Out For This Season
In this bonus episode, Bob sits down with AARP’s Amy Nofziger to discuss the most prevalent scams targeting consumers throughout the holiday season and what to be on the lookout for.
Phone Scams and the Human Trafficking Connection
There could be something far more sinister behind the common scam calls we all receive. Many scammers are human trafficking victims who are lured to Southeast Asia and locked up in prison-like compounds.
A Veteran Rebuilds His Life After a Scam Takes Everything
David’s online friendship with a woman in the Philippines leads to the loss of his home, his business and his friends, but he finds healing through helping others.
Criminals Deceive Search Engines With Fake Results
When Marcia needs help with her Amazon order, a search for the company’s customer service number goes very wrong. Criminals deceive search engines, presenting consumers with fake results that look very real.
AI, Voice Cloning and Scams: What You Should Know
In this special episode, we learn how criminals are using artificial intelligence to their advantage and what to look out for. We use examples with Bob’s own voice to show how it’s being done.
Psychic Mail Fraud Scheme Enabled by One of the Word's Largest Data Firms
Bob checks in with USPIS Inspector Clayton Gerber for an update on the Maria Duval psychic impostor mail scam and learns the role Epsilon, one of the world’s largest data firms, played in the scheme.
Dog Hospice Targeted by Fake Bank Texts
Caring for ailing dogs is a passion for Helen, but her nonprofit dog hospice is threatened when she receives a message from her bank that turns out to be a sophisticated bank impersonation fraud.
Honolulu’s Power Couple Caught: Mortgage Scam, Part 2
An unusual court case reveals that Katherine Kealoha’s affluent lifestyle is fueled by a reverse mortgage on her family’s home, and her husband, Louis, is using his power as police chief to hide the crime.
Couple Masterminds a Reverse Mortgage Scheme
Katherine and Louis Kealoha live a lavish lifestyle in an upscale neighborhood in Honolulu. But the strange case of a stolen mailbox exposes their secrets and a terrible case of family financial fraud.
Previous Episodes
- Women Band Together to Take Down a Serial Romance Scammer, Part 1
- Women Band Together to Take Down a Serial Romance Scammer, Part 2
- DEA Impostor Steals Montana Woman’s Life Savings
- An Old Scam Is Making a Comeback: Check Washing
- A Reality TV Star’s Telemarketing Scheme
- ‘Garbage Into Gold’ Ponzi Scheme
- Taylor Swift Fans Targeted in Concert Ticket Scams
- Scam Victim Turns Movie Star
- One Woman’s Story of Survival After a Scam, Part 1
- One Woman’s Story of Survival After a Scam, Part 2
- Boat Captain Falls in Love With a Ghost
- Bonus: Top 5 Things to Know About Crypto Scams
- A Texas Hospice Provider’s Deadly Scheme, Part 1
- A Texas Hospice Provider’s Deadly Scheme, Part 2
- FBI and Grandmother Bring Down Crime Ring, Part 1
- FBI and Grandmother Bring Down Crime Ring, Part 2
- Words Matter: Blame Fraud on Criminals, Not Victims
- International Crime Ring Sets Up in West Virginia College Town
- Puppy Scammers Steal Thousands
- Real Estate Company Accused of Preying on Philadelphia Homeowners, Part 1
- Real Estate Company Accused of Preying on Philadelphia Homeowners, Part 2
- Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 1
- Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 2
- Bonus Episode: ‘Catphishing the Catphisher’
- Recent MBA Wakes Up From Dream Work-From-Home Job
- Why Gift Cards Are Gold Mines for Scammers, Part 1
- Why Gift Cards Are Gold Mines for Scammers, Part 2
- The Virtual Kidnapping of a Gymnast
- Woman’s Inheritance Wiped Out in Crypto-Dating Scam
- The Perfect Scam Presents: A Special Report on the Texas Elder Murders: Parts 1-4
- Fake Doctor Runs Phony Medical Spa Scheme, Part 1
- Fake Doctor Runs Phony Medical Spa Scheme, Part 2
- Bonus Episode: Trending Scams to Look Out for in 2023
- Inside the World of a Scam-Busting YouTuber
- Zelle Scam Threatens Baker’s Dream Business
- Local TV Station Brings Attention to Zelle Fraud
- Crypto Criminals Part 1: A LinkedIn Connection Gone Wrong
- Crypto Criminals Part 2: Experts Explain
- Dying to Be Ill Part 1: GoFundMe Scam Targets Dart Community
- Dying to be Ill Part 2: GoFundMe Scam Targets Dart Community
- Computer Hacker Drains Couple's Life Savings
- Tom and Dianne's Savings Disappear After Seeking Help
- Star-Studded Wedding Becomes Bride’s Worst Nightmare
- Journalist Exposes Her Celebrity Fiancé
- Bonus Episode: The Ringing Won’t Stop! Why Robocalls Are Still Big Business
- Scammers Hijack Instagram Account to Steal Money From Followers
- Con Artist Steals Oregon Woman’s Property
- Lottery Victim Turns Money Mule
- Father Fails to Believe He is a Victim of a Lottery Scam
- National Guardsman Is Lured Into a Luxury Car Crime Ring
- A Luxury Car Venture Becomes a Nightmare
- Therin Miller Helps FBI Take Down His Business Partners
- Radio Host Steals Millions in Retirement Funds
- Investment Funds Finance a Lavish Lifestyle
- Scammers Target Brain Cancer Patient
- Family Fights to Disentangle Loved One From a Scam
- Bonus Episode: Scams, Magic and the Art of Deception With Alexis Conran
- The Perfect Scam Celebrates 100 Episodes
- Con Man Targets Widow in Online Dating Scam
- Fraud Victim Helps Catch Romance Scammers
- Fans Targeted for Thousands at a Get-Rich-Quick Seminar
- One Daughter’s Fight Against Charity Fraud
- Oil Tycoon Con Artist Steals More Than Hearts
- Fraud Victim Learns the Truth About Her Boyfriend
- Pet Scammers Falsely Sell Puppies Online
- Historic Miami Neighborhood Targeted in Real Estate Scam
- Retiree Enlists Help to Get Stolen Property Back
- Scammers Posing as U.S. Government Target Virginia Woman
- Undercover Hacker
- Mother Goes Missing in Gift Card Scam
- How a Dream Vacation House Evaporated
- Crooks Threaten Mother's Safety in Virtual-Kidnapping Scam
- Rookie FBI Agent Turns Tables on International Scammers
- Federal Officials Lure Scammers to the U.S.
- Housekeeper Turned Caregiver Steals Homes
- How One Man Fought Back Against His Abusive Caregiver
- Whirlwind Romance Wipes Out Widow’s Wealth
- How a Widow Overcame a Devestating Romance Scam
- Virtual Kidnappers Con Woman Into Traveling to Mexico
- 'The Original Internet Godfather' on How to Stay Safe from Scammers
- The Heiress of Ireland: Serial Con Artist Poses as Royalty, Part 1
- The Heiress of Ireland: Serial Con Artist Poses as Royalty, Part 2
- Changing of the Guard: Guardianship Abuse
- Pet Scams Are Big Business
- The Credit Card Con Queen
- An Email Could Cost You Your Home: Mortgage Closing Scams
- Addicted to Love, Pt. 1
- Addicted to Love, Pt 2
- A Cruel Con: Life Insurance Scams
- Autocomplete with Frank Abagnale
- Honolulu Power Couple Caught: Mortgage Scam, Part 1
- Honolulu Power Couple Caught: Mortgage Scam, Part 2
- The Money Doctor — Radio Host Ponzi Scheme
- The Money Doctor — Radio Host Ponzi Scheme, Part 2
- Scammer Relentlessly Targets Equifax Victim
- Serial Con Artist Impersonates Psychiatrist, Part. 1
- Serial Con Artist Impersonates Psychiatrist, Part. 2
- Scammer Targets Friends in Real Estate Ponzi Scheme, Pt 1
- Scammer Targets Friends in Real Estate Ponzi Scheme, Part 2
- Bonus - You’ve Got More Mail, With Frank Abagnale
- Grandmother Entangled in Money Mule Scam, Part 1
- Grandmother Entangled in Money Mule Scam, Part 2
- Phishing Scam Targets Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran
- Scammers Fabricate Drug Cartel to Steal Family’s Life Savings
- Scammers Set Up Fake Coronavirus Test Site
- Felony Lane Gang Steals Purses & Identities
- Scammers Persuade Grandfather to Send Ransom by Mail
- Hollywood Lured into Scam, Part 1
- Hollywood Lured into Scam, Part 2
- Rachel Tobac Hacks The Perfect Scam
- Con-Artist Targets Faith Based Dating App, Pt 1
- Con-Artist Targets Faith Based Dating App, Pt 2
- Holiday Special: The 1920s Santa Claus Scam
- The $2 Million Romance Scam
- The $16,500 Grandparent Scam
- Million Dollar Movie Ponzi Scheme, Part 1
- Million Dollar Movie Ponzi Scheme, Part 2
- Beware the Boardwalk Psychic
- The $25 Million Tech-Support Scam
- Stolen Homes: Mortgage-Relief Scams
- You’ve Got Mail, with Frank Abagnale 2
- Terror Over the Phone: Virtual Kidnappings, Part 1
- Terror Over the Phone: Virtual Kidnappings, Part 2
- The Lottery Scam That Almost Turned Deadly, Part 1
- The Lottery Scam That Almost Turned Deadly, Part 2
- Robocall King Meets The FCC, Part 1
- Robocall King Meets The FCC, Part 2
- Stolen Valor, Stolen Hearts: Military Romance Scam
- They Stole My Savings in Minutes: Social Security Scam
- The Hidden World of Psychic Scams, Part 1
- The Hidden World of Psychic Scams, Part 2
- Kentucky Fights Back Against Scammers
- FBI Agent Brings Lottery Scam Kingpin to Justice
- Threats From Home: The Chinese Consulate Scam
- True or False With Frank Abagnale
- Prince Charming Behind Bars: Part 1
- Prince Charming Behind Bars: Part 2
- Dr. Rotten: Can Medicare Fraud Give You Cancer? Part 1
- Dr. Rotten: Can Medicare Fraud Give You Cancer? Part 2
- Dr. Rotten: Can Medicare Fraud Give You Cancer? Part 3
- Darren Berg: A Ponzi Scheme Mastermind Escapes: Part 1
- Darren Berg: A Ponzi Scheme Mastermind Escapes: Part 2
- The FBI's Most Wanted Veterans Charity Scammer, Part 1
- The FBI's Most Wanted Veterans Charity Scammer, Part 2
- The FBI's Most Wanted Veterans Charity Scammer, Part 3
- Sweetheart Swindler Part 1
- Sweetheart Swindler Part 2
- Scammers Drained the Life out of Our Mother: Part 1
- Scammers Drained the Life out of Our Mother: Part 2
- French Psychic Scams the World: Part 1
- French Psychic Scams the World: Part 2
- MSNBC’s Richard Lui Fights for His Dad
- Brooke Astor: Famous Socialite Robbed
- The Godfather of the Dark Web
- A Hiker’s Trail of Lies: Part 1
- A Hiker’s Trail of Lies: Part 2
- Inside the IRS Phone Scam Bust
- Love Online Leads to International Lockup
- You’ve Got Mail, With Frank Abagnale
- Grandparent Scam
- Martha’s Jury Duty Scam
- Alex Goldman’s Call Center Scam
- Grace’s Gold and Silver Scam
- Tracy’s Romance Scam
- Married and Betrayed
- Beth’s Russian Hack
- George & Sandra’s Accident Scam
- Ann’s Credit Card Re-Scam
- Elaine’s Gemstone Jerk
- A Scammer Tells All
- Frank’s Favorite Scams & Tips From Fraud Watch Network
- BONUS EPISODE — Nominate Us and Take the ‘Perfect Scam’ Quiz!
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About the Fraud Watch Network
Whether you have been personally affected by scams or fraud or are interested in learning more, the AARP Fraud Watch Network advocates on your behalf and equips you with the knowledge you need to feel more informed and confidently spot and avoid scams.
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Bob Sullivan is an independent journalist and the author of five books, including New York Times Best Sellers, Gotcha Capitalism and Stop Getting Ripped Off! He spent nearly two decades working at MSNBC.com and NBC News, where he created and wrote the popular Red Tape Chronicles blog, covering cybercrime, privacy, and other consumer issues. He has won a Peabody Award, a Society of Professional Journalists Public Service Award, and a Consumer Federation of America Consumer Media Service Award. He was the host of Breach, a podcast about history's biggest hacks, and So, Bob? a podcast about the unintended consequences of technology. He now writes The Red Tape Chronicles column at RedTape.Substack.com and can be reached at BobSullivan.net