The Perfect Scam

In this 2021 episode, after 72-year-old Steve Steele’s life partner passes away, his housekeeper, Elizabeth, offers to work as his caregiver. Over time, Elizabeth takes over Steve’s finances, even persuading him to deed her his homes. It all comes to a head one Christmas Eve, when Elizabeth accuses Steve, who can hardly stand or walk, of assault, and the police cart him off to jail for months. When the public defender’s investigator meets Steve, though, she quickly senses this is elder abuse. The judge agrees and releases Steve, but now he faces an even bigger battle: How does he get his homes back? And will Elizabeth be held accountable for her crimes?

In this intense discussion, homeowner David Heron shares his family's devastating experience with Mark Diamond's reverse mortgage scam. Robin Hood, a dedicated community organizer, talks about the urgent need for support for impacted families. Juliet Sorensen, part of the legal team fighting for justice, highlights the emotional toll of financial exploitation on vulnerable homeowners. Together, they expose the manipulative tactics of scammers and advocate for greater awareness to protect families from losing their legacies.

Douglas is enjoying a second career as an artist, selling his paintings online and in gallery shows. People occasionally ask about non-fungible tokens (NFTs) of his work. Still, he never gives it too much thought until a woman on LinkedIn approaches him with what seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. Her company can convert his artwork to an NFT for free and sell it for him. He signs a contract and sets up a cryptocurrency account, and within a few months, he gets the good news that the image has sold. After paying large sums in fees and taxes, Douglas learns it is all an elaborate crypto scam.

Chloe Patera recounts her harrowing experience of losing her mother's cat, Percy, and being deceived by scammers impersonating the Tampa Bay Humane Society. Regan Blessinger, the Humane Society's marketing manager, sheds light on the rising epidemic of pet-related fraud. They discuss the emotional toll on families in distress and the manipulative tactics used by scammers to exploit desperation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of public awareness to prevent such scams and protect vulnerable pet owners.

In this gripping discussion, Lindsay Wilkinson, an FBI agent who played a key role in apprehending conman Kota Youngblood, and Matt Harding, the Assistant U.S. Attorney pushing for a tough sentence, unveil the layers of deception surrounding a fraudulent scheme that targeted hockey league parents. They delve into how Youngblood exploited fear to manipulate trusting community members, leaving emotional scars and shattered trust. Accounts of resilient victims, a father's desperate journey for truth, and the intricate dance of justice highlight the profound impact of his deceit.

In this gripping discussion, Rebecca Kumar, a dedicated hockey mom, shares her harrowing experience of being targeted by the con artist Kota Youngblood, who spun elaborate tales to manipulate families in the Central Texas hockey community. Justin Noble, an FBI agent, sheds light on the investigation that followed, revealing the impact of Youngblood's scams on unsuspecting victims. From dubious investment schemes in rare coins to the emotional scars left by his deceit, the dialogue highlights the thin line between charm and manipulation in a world fraught with trust and betrayal.

In this bonus episode, Bob sits down with Josh Margolin, writer and director of the action and comedy film, Thelma, to discuss Josh’s real-life inspiration – his 104-year-old grandmother, Thelma, and her frightening experience as a scam victim. Josh took the experience to heart, especially because the criminal pretended to be him. Thelma is winner of the 2025 AARP Movies for Grownups Award for the Best Intergenerational Movie.

Lowell Larson, a lead investigator in Jordan Demay's sextortion case, is joined by Jordan's parents, John and Jennifer, both former police officers advocating against this growing threat. They discuss the tragic story of Jordan, a promising teen ensnared by online predators, leading to devastating consequences. The guests highlight the emotional turmoil, the critical role of law enforcement, and the need for open conversations to prevent similar tragedies. Their insights call for increased awareness and proactive measures to combat the pervasive issue of sextortion.

In part 2, US Postal Inspector Cory McManus is hot on the trail of criminals running an elaborate romance scam network. After identifying dozens of victims, he arrests two suspects who've been acting as money mules. They quickly give up information about how the scam works and the name of the ringleader, Wisdom Onyobeno, who lives in Atlanta. Onyobeno's many victims finally get justice when he pleads guilty and is sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

When Debbie's mother passes away suddenly, she is not prepared for what she finds. While sorting through financial records and paperwork, she discovers correspondence with the US Postal Inspection Service and letters to a victim's advocate. Debbie learns that her mother was hiding the painful secret that she was the victim of a romance scam that had stolen over $400,000 from her. But a US Postal Inspector is putting together the pieces to catch the ringleader of the elaborate, wide-ranging romance scam empire that is stealing millions of dollars from dozens of victims. Will Debbie get justice for her mom?