The Hustle Daily Show The con victim turned con hunter
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Oct 16, 2025 Delve into the captivating journey of Jonathan Walton, who transformed from a con victim losing $100k to a con hunter exposing scammers. Discover the rising tide of online scams, now costing $16.6 billion, and learn about the evolving tactics of fraudsters. The show also touches on a proposed ban on marrying AI chatbots and the implications of the Uncrustables trademark lawsuit. Join the discussion on red flags in friendships and how Walton is helping others be vigilant against cons.
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Explosive Growth In Online Scam Losses
- Online scams have exploded, with losses rising from $1.4B in 2017 to $16.6B in 2024 according to the FBI.
- The scale indicates widespread sophistication and underreporting due to stigma.
Scams Have Become Much More Convincing
- Scammers have become far more convincing and reduce obvious tells like typos.
- That makes vetting messages and contacts increasingly necessary for everyone.
Shame Silences Many Scam Victims
- Many victims underreport scams because of shame and stigma, so official numbers likely understate true losses.
- That silence helps scammers avoid detection and repeat offenses.