'The Original Internet Godfather' on How to Stay Safe from Scammers
Brett Johnson and Bob Sullivan discuss cryptocurrency, gift card fraud and more
Virtual Kidnappers Con Woman Into Traveling to Mexico
Charlotte Robinette receives a phone call demanding she send money to save her daughter
How a Widow Overcame a Devestating Romance Scam
In part 2 of this podcast, Kate realizes her "fiancee" is a fraud and opens up to family about the ordeal
Whirlwind Romance Wipes Out Widow’s Wealth
Widow loses thousands to in an overseas online romance scam
How One Man Fought Back Against His Abusive Caregiver
In part two of this podcast, Steve Steele wages a legal fight for his homes
Housekeeper Turned Caregiver Steals Homes
Steve Steele battles to save his life and finances in a case of elder abuse
Federal Officials Lure Scammers to the U.S.
In part two of this podcast, Mike and Alan devise a scheme that leads to the fraudsters' arrests
Rookie FBI Agent Turns Tables on International Scammers
How two men team up to take down fraudsters overseas
Crooks Threaten Mother's Safety in Virtual-Kidnapping Scam
Jeremy Vincent is awakened by a call believed to be a loved one, and instead gets the scare of a lifetime
How a Dream Vacation House Evaporated
Melany Robinson loses almost $20k in an elaborate vacation rental scam
Hacker Uses Skills to Take Down a Phone Scam Operation
'Jim Browning' fights to save potential victims from cyber schemes
Mother Goes Missing in Gift Card Payment Scam
Scammers convince Judy she needs to send $15k in gift cards to avoid arrest
Previous Episodes
- 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