Well, I Laughed 133: Red Handed pt.1: Money Talks
Nov 26, 2025
What if you could commit a crime without the risk of getting caught? This episode dives into the intriguing ABSCAM operation, revealing how Mel Weinberg, a master con artist, turned the tables on corrupt politicians. With wild stories of false identities, bribery, and political scandal, the narrative highlights the blurry lines between sting operations and entrapment. Explore the fallout as various officials face legal consequences and the media's sensational coverage complicates perceptions of race and corruption.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Humble Beginnings Of A Con Man
- Melvin Weinberg's first con started in first grade stealing gold stars to impress his parents.
- That early deception taught him to always have an excuse and exit when marks compare notes.
Selling 'Imported' Glass Scam
- Mel used cultural stickers to sell inferior demi-glass as imported glass and pocketed the difference.
- He tailored lies to customers' heritage to make fraud believable and avoid returns.
Advance-Fee 'London Investors' Scheme
- Mel ran the "London Investors" advance-fee loan scam charging nonrefundable application fees.
- He repeatedly re-sold the same victims by pretending different overseas banks denied them.
