How a Dream Vacation House Evaporated
Melany Robinson loses almost $20k in an elaborate vacation rental scam
Mother Goes Missing in Gift Card Payment Scam
Scammers convince Judy she needs to send $15k in gift cards to avoid arrest
Scammer Recruits Grandmother to Launder Money
The scheme started with a simple request on an online dating website
Hacker Uses Skills to Take Down a Phone Scam Operation
'Jim Browning' fights to save potential victims from cyber schemes
FCC and TripAdvisor Take Down the Robocall King
Adrian Abramovich sent millions of automated phone calls to U.S. consumers
Police Chief Uses His Influence to Hide a Crime
In part 2 of this podcast, investigators discover the truth behind the Kealoha's finances
Couple Masterminds a Reverse Mortgage Scheme
Louis and Katherine Kealoha used the stolen money to fund their lavish lifestyle
Frank Abagnale Answer's Top Scam Questions
Our fraud expert shares his insight on gift card scams, WhatsApp and more
Life Insurance Scammers Take Advantage of Widow
Fraudsters instruct the victim to use gift cards as payment for the policy
Two Scammers Target a Woman Online
In part 2 of this episode, the victim's family fights to pull her from their grasps
How a Family Battled Their Mother's Phony Online Relationships
In part 1 of this episode, a daughter fights to free her mother from multiple romance scams
How an Email Could Cost You Your Home in a Mortgage Scam
Experts share how these frauds work and how to protect yourself
Credit Card Con Queen Targets Wealthy Older Adults
Lisa Reid went on lavish shopping sprees and left her victims footing the bill
Pet Scams are Big Business for Fraudsters
Online con artists see opportunity in the pandemic demand for animals
California Man Almost Loses His Stepmother in Guardianship Dispute
Larry Davis shares how a court-appointed guardian landed his stepmother in an assisted living facility
Reality TV Producer Discovers The Truth About Mair Smyth
Johnathan Walton finds out his best friend has been telling lies and has no inheritance
Serial Con Artist Poses as Royalty
Mair Smyth claimed she was an Irish Heiress and scammed people out of thousands
You’ve Got More Mail, With Frank Abagnale
AARP's fraud expert answers your questions about popular scams
Monique Brady's Friends Learn of Ponzi Scheme
In part 2 of this podcast, the Savastanos find out the real estate business is a scam
Scammer Targets Friends in Real Estate Ponzi Scheme
In part 1 of this podcast, Monique Brady's victims share their experience working with her
Patient Exposes Her Therapist as a Conman
In part 2 of this episode, after "Dr. Redman" is revealed as a fraud, he assumes a new identity
Serial Con Artist Impersonates Psychiatrist
Scott C. Redman used the identity of an Illinois physician to see patients and prescribe medications
Wife Discovers Husband Secretly Operating a Ponzi Scheme
For 15 years, he stole millions of dollars from investors, eventually confessing to his crimes
Scammer Targets Victim of Equifax Data Breach
Marni took extra steps to protect her credit, but crooks found a way to open new accounts in her name
Clients of the “Money Doctor” Were Shocked When They Learned of Stolen Money
Members of William Gallagher's Dallas community were deceived by his promises
'The Money Doctor' Stole Millions in a Ponzi Scheme
A radio host gave financial advice to listeners and used his power to steal from investors
French Psychic Scam Rakes in Millions
A letter arrives in the mail from a woman claiming to have psychic abilities - but there's a catch
A Hiker’s Trail of Lies
Couch-surfing con man Jeff Caldwell preys on the kindness of the outdoors community.
Divorcee Exposes Fraudster in Online Romance Scam
In part two of this podcast, meet Patricia who suspects her online boyfriend is a scammer
Long-Distance Relationship is Actually a Romance Scam
A woman thinks she’s in love until her new online boyfriend reveals he’s a con-artist
Rachel Tobac Hacks ‘The Perfect Scam’
A social engineering hacker scours our host Michelle Kosiniski’s social media for intel a hacker could use
Hollywood Freelancers Team Up to Take Down a Scammer
In part 2 of this podcast, two photographers realize they are victims of a scam targeting industry professionals
Celebrity Photographer Lured Overseas in Impostor Scam
In part 1 of this podcast, Joe Scarnici recounts how he was targeted and lost thousands
Scammers Persuade Grandfather to Send Ransom by Mail
Jack sends $19,000 to an attorney thinking he's getting his granddaughter out of jail
Felony Lane Gang Steals Purses & Identities
A stolen purse case leads to a nationwide financial fraud crime ring
Scammers Set Up Fake Coronavirus Testing Site
An essential worker shares the story of her encounter with fraudsters at a pop-up testing location
Utah Couple Loses Savings in an Impostor Scam
Crooks pretended to be government officials, left threatening voicemails in this elaborate con
Phishing Scam Targets Shark Tank Investor
Barbara Corcoran explains how an elaborate email scheme almost cost her $400,000
Recognizing the Red Flags in an Online Romance
In part 2 of this episode, one grandmother learns of her role in a larger fraud scheme
Scammer Recruits Grandmother to Launder Money
The scheme started with a simple request on an online dating website
FBI Officials Discuss Virtual Kidnappings
In part two of this episode, tips on how to handle a threatening call
Scammers Use Scare Tactics in Virtual-Kidnapping Scheme
One mom was asked to pay for her daughter's "alleged" release
You’ve Got Mail, With Frank Abagnale, Part 2
In part two of this special episode, Frank answers questions from listeners on fraud
Debt Relief Agency Scams Homeowners
Johnathan Herbert took advantage of people seeking mortgage assistance
'Ethical Hacker' Helps Top Companies Tackle Fraud
Jason Glasberg exposes internet security threats for Fortune 500 companies
Consumers Tricked into Buying Software in a Tech Support Scam
The operation targeted thousands of people across the world
Beware of the Boardwalk Psychic Scam
A psychic reading with a fortune teller in Atlantic City leaves one woman nearly broke
Vermont Authorities Investigate Mac Parker's Movie Deal
In part two of this podcast, we meet Parker's partner in the investment fraud
Mac Parker's Million-Dollar Ponzi Scheme
In part one of this episode, we meet investors deceived by Parker's promises of a lucrative movie deal
Grandparents Deceived by Scammers Demanding Cash
'Grandchild in jail' scheme and similar scams cost Americans millions in 2018
Widower Loses Life Savings in a Romance Scam
He opened his heart and checkbook, losing several million to a con artist
Holiday Special: The 1920s Santa Claus Scam
Colorful conman John Duval Gluck and the Santa Claus Association
True or False With Frank Abagnale
A bonus podcast episode featuring one of AARP's fraud experts
Threats From Home: The Chinese Consulate Scam
Victims lose millions in phone scams that target the Chinese American community
FBI Agent Brings 'Lottery Kingpin' to Justice
How lottery scammers convinced one victim to send thousands of dollars overseas
Kentucky Officials Battles Lottery Scammers
One woman loses thousands to promises of a million-dollar lottery prize
Private Investigator Helps Take Down a Psychic Scam Operation
In part two of this episode, the investigation reveals another victim with total losses in the thousands
New York Psychic Drains One Woman's Bank Account
Sylvia Mitchell preyed on victim’s misfortunes for profit
Distraught Veteran Loses Savings in a Social Security Scam
How one community helped a former service member overcome identity theft
Stolen Photo Misused in Online Dating Scam
Multiple fake social media profiles were used to con women
Robocalls Tricked Consumers into Buying Vacation Packages
Spammers used popular hotel companies names' to sell phony travel deals
FCC and TripAdvisor Take Down the Robocall King
Adrian Abramovich sent millions of automated phone calls to U.S. consumers
A Foreign Lottery Scam Turns Into a Murder Plot
In part 2 of this case, the scammer’s demands intensify as authorities continue their investigation
Retiree Drains Her Bank Account in a Lottery Scam
Investigators work to find the criminals and discover another scam operation
Married Couple Swindles Victims in a Romance Scam
In part 2 of the Boltos case, Texas officials track the criminals to Nevada
The 'Sweetheart Swindler' Preyed on Elderly Victims
Desiree Boltos fabricated stories and used her children as pawns in her romance scams
How Investigators Convicted a Charity Fraud Scammer
In part 3 of this podcast, officials use fingerprints to connect John Donald Cody to his crimes
Using Fake Identities, ‘Bobby Thompson’ Evaded Capture
In part 2 of this case, the manhunt for a charity scammer takes investigators to Portland
John Donald Cody, Stole Millions in a Veterans Charity Scam
Using a fake identity ‘Bobby Thompson’ donated to political campaigns instead of helping vets
Federal Officials Arrest Darren Berg for Wire Fraud and More
In part 2 of this case, Berg, forced to pay restitution to victims, plans a daring escape
Darren Berg Organized the Largest Ponzi Scheme in Washington History
How retirees lost their life savings in an investment scam
Investigators Discover the Truth Behind Dr. Fata's Medical Practice
In part 3 of this case, as the FBI closes in, the severity of patient abuse becomes clear
Whistleblowers Risk Their Careers to Expose Medicare Fraud
In part 2 of this case, concerned employees dig deeper into Fata's phony treatments
Meet the Doctor Who Defrauded Medicare of Millions
Dr. Farid Fata falsely treated patients for cancer and submitted bogus health care claims
Prince Charming Behind Bars: Part 2
As the scammer's tactics intensified, see how investigators took him down
Prince Charming Behind Bars: Part 1
An Illinois woman’s life is changed forever when she falls victim to a romance scam online.
You’ve Got Mail, With Frank Abagnale
On this special episode, Frank breaks down all the ways fraudsters try to scam you through voicemail and email.
Love Online Leads to International Lockup
When Joy asked Bryon to deliver real estate papers, he had no idea he was being used in an elaborate plot to smuggle drugs.
Inside the IRS Phone Scam Bust
Every year Americans get fraudulent calls from con artists claiming to be from the IRS. We uncover how these call centers work.
Godfather of the Dark Web
Hear from the creator of the dark web's first online store for criminals, and how he's helping people today.
Brooke Astor: Famous Socialite Robbed
Uncover one of the most prominent cases of financial elder abuse in U.S. history.
MSNBC's Richard Lui Fights for His Dad
The Luis' story is about more than being scammed, it's about a family's dedication.
French Psychic Scams the World: Part 2
Can investigators find out who the mysterious psychic Maria Duval is?
French Psychic Scams the World: Part 1
A letter arrives in the mail from a woman claiming to have psychic abilities - but there's a catch.
Scammers Drained the Life out of Our Mother: Part 2
With the stress of a sweepstakes scam damaging Valerie’s health, her daughters take drastic measures.
Scammers Drained the Life out of Our Mother: Part 1
Valerie receives a letter stating she’s won the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, but everything is not what it seems.
BONUS EPISODE — Take 'The Perfect Scam’ Quiz!
The producers of the podcast show off their fraud-busting skills in a pop quiz
Frank's Favorite Scams & Tips from Fraud Watch Network
Frank discusses his favorite scams and Will speaks with two AARP Fraud Watch Network experts
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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