The Jordan Harbinger Show 1195: Javier Leiva | Modern Romance Scam Tactics and Ways to Fight Back
Aug 12, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Javier Leiva, an investigator and host of the Pretend podcast, dives deep into the world of modern romance scams. He reveals how scammers use identical stories to target vulnerable individuals, often moving in with them and manipulating their lives. The conversation highlights the emotional and psychological toll on victims and their families, discusses identifying red flags like excessive generosity and isolation, and stresses the importance of awareness and vigilance to prevent falling victim to these deceitful tactics.
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Identical Scams Run At Massive Scale
- Scammers reuse identical fake narratives and run them at massive scale to hit thousands at once.
- This volume makes real scams read like urban legends to outsiders.
Scammers Use A Vulnerability Checklist
- Scammers screen targets with a checklist: isolation, cognitive decline, illness, pensions, and loneliness.
- The more boxes checked, the bigger and more profitable the mark.
Playwright Who Became Executor And Caregiver
- Jason Bartlett embedded himself as caregiver, became executor, and controlled a woman's bank accounts after her death.
- He then targeted her elderly mother to repeat the scheme.
