The Perfect Scam

In part 2, victims of a nationwide fraud scheme join forces on a Facebook group and share their stories with investigative journalist Lou Raguse of KARE in Minneapolis. Someone is selling water purification devices to entrepreneurs, who think they are getting in on the ground floor of a great opportunity, but then fails to deliver the promised gadgets. Lou discovers the criminal’s identity is Charles Fields, a suburban Minneapolis father who uses a host of aliases to pull off the scheme. Lou and the victims’ dedication, along with the discovery of key evidence in an unusual place, help law enforcement successfully bring Fields to justice. 

Job seekers all over the country answer ads for sales positions at a water filtration company. The offer is promising, and the contracts look professional. The only catch is the initial $5000 investment in a water purification unit. However, when the prepaid units never arrive, people begin to realize they are victims of a scam. They form a Facebook group, band together, and convince investigative journalist Lou Raguse to take up their cause. Will they get justice?  

Join Detective Scott Simons, a cyber investigation specialist from the Greenfield Police Department, and Erin West, the founder of Operation Shamrock and former prosecutor, as they unpack the dark world of cryptocurrency scams. Discover how they helped a victim recover $80,000 from a $450,000 loss. Simons shares his techniques for tracing stolen funds through crypto wallets, while West emphasizes the importance of public-private collaboration in combating transnational fraud. Their insights offer both hope and practical strategies for scam victims.

Eva Rothman shares her harrowing experience of losing her life savings in gold bars due to a tech support scam, warning others about the dangers of deceitful schemes. Her nephew, Rabbi Lyle Rothman, provides insights into the emotional toll on their family. Michael Kukoulos, a precious metals dealer, reveals how scammers exploit customers seeking gold. Detective Petty discusses his work in tackling these scams through sting operations, emphasizing the need for vigilance as gold bar scams proliferate in a world with soaring gold prices.

In part 2, a call from Reuters journalist Brian Grow confirms Diana’s worst fears about what really happened to her stepfather’s remains. As Brian digs deeper into the story, the truth he uncovers about Sunset Mesa Funeral Home and the body brokering scheme is worse than anyone could have imagined. The conviction of Megan Hess brings some needed closure to families devastated by her shocking betrayal of trust.

Planning a loved one’s burial or cremation is a difficult experience under the best of circumstances. When Diana’s stepfather, Cactus, gets sick during the early stages of Alzheimer’s and sees a billboard advertising simple cremations for $695 at Sunset Mesa Funeral Home, he requests that his family cremate him and not spend a lot of money. But when Cactus dies and his cremains go missing under mysterious circumstances, it sets off a series of events that not only exacerbates the family’s grief, but also tips off a lengthy investigation by Reuters journalists that rocks a small community in western Colorado and exposes the dark, unregulated side of the body trade industry. 

In this 2023 episode, Huntington, West Virginia, is an idyllic college town on the Ohio River, but it’s also the epicenter of a massive international internet crime ring. Federal prosecutor Katie Robeson hasn’t been on the job long when she learns that a woman in Huntington is acting as money mule, transferring millions of dollars overseas. Following the money, Katie and her team uncover an elaborate network of criminals, based in Huntington, targeting people all over the country.

In this bonus episode, Bob talks with two of the nearly 150 trained volunteers who answer calls on the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. Dee and Mike, both scam survivors, draw upon their experiences to offer emotional support and guidance to people who have recently been targeted. The helpline is a free resource available 5 days a week. If you or a loved one has been targeted by a scam, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360.   

Joe Subok, a victim who lost much after his wife’s passing, shares his harrowing experience with a tech support to romance scam. He reflects on how the emotional turmoil of grief made him vulnerable to manipulative tactics from a scammer named Daisy. Stacey Wood, a forensic expert, discusses undue influence in vulnerable relationships and highlights the psychological manipulation used by scammers. The conversation underscores the need for protective measures and societal awareness to prevent such financial exploitation.

In this engaging discussion, guest Liz Weston, a bestselling author and financial journalist, unpacks a cautionary tale of investment gone wrong. She reveals how a tech startup, promising revolutionary robotic technology, was actually a Ponzi scheme. The tale follows a woman who invests her inheritance, only to be met with excuses and deception when seeking her funds. Liz delves into the emotional complexities of trust and the importance of skepticism in financial decisions, providing valuable insights on protecting oneself from similar scams.