Contraband Connections: Crime Networks Inside Prison Walls w/ Travis Cox (Part 2)

Banking on Fraudology is part of the Fraudology Podcast Network.

In this eye-opening episode of Banking on Fraudology, host Hailey Widham sits down with Travis Cox, investigator with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, to uncover the dark world of prison based fraud and organized crime.

Cox shares a rare inside look at how inmates use contraband cell phones to run sophisticated fraud, extortion, and money laundering schemes from behind bars often mirroring the tactics of external fraud rings and cybercriminal networks.

Through cases like “Iron Pipeline,” “Flash,” and “Clean Sweep,” Hailey and Travis reveal how prisoners leverage technology, manipulation, and underground communication tools to traffic drugs, exploit victims, and move millions through cryptocurrency, peer-to-peer apps, and even online gaming platforms.

The conversation highlights the growing threat these crimes pose to financial institutions, law enforcement, and local communities, calling for stronger collaboration, tougher sentencing, and smarter fraud detection strategies.

Roy E. Cox

District of South Carolina | Two Men Charged With Illegally Trafficking Almost 60 Guns Into Philadelphia From South Carolina | United States Department of Justice

State Grand Jurors issue rare report on continued problem of organized crime run from within state prisons using contraband cellphones - South Carolina Attorney General 

FCC approves cell phone jamming against SC prison inmates | The State

Man accused of setting fire at home of South Carolina corrections officer in suspected retaliation | WBTW 

Ex-prison guard, shot six times, hails FCC push to allow cellphone jamming behind bars 

Nine SCDC inmates, six others indicted in $5M fraud scheme | WCBD News 2

About Hailey Windham:

As a 2023 CU Rockstar Recipient, Hailey Windham, CFCS (Certified Financial Crimes Specialist) demonstrated unbounding passion for educating her community, organization and credit union membership on scams in the market and best practices to avoid them. She has implemented several programs within her previous organizations that aim at holistically learning about how to prevent and detect fraud targeted at membership and employees.

Windham’s initiatives to build strong relationships and partnerships throughout the credit union community and industry experts have led to countless success stories. Her applied knowledge of payments system programs combined with her experience in fraud investigations offers practical concepts that are transferable, no matter the organization’s size.

Connect with Hailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-windham/

• https://www.fraudfightclub.com/
• https://www.about-fraud.com/