The Perfect Scam

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?

In this 2021 episode, when Shirley Gibson learns that her property in Miami's historic West Grove neighborhood has been sold by someone using a forged deed, she is determined to fight. Working together with journalist Phil Prazen and lawyer David Winker, they uncover an elaborate real estate scam targeting dozens of elderly property owners in this historically Black neighborhood. Law enforcement is soon on the trail of the criminals, but will Shirley get her land back?

In this 2021 episode, Miami's historic West Grove neighborhood has recently become a hot real estate market. So hot, in fact, that it has attracted the attention of scammers. It wasn't always so. Shirley Gibson's family has owned property in West Grove since her great-grandmother immigrated from the Bahamas over 100 years ago. Now in her 80s, Shirley had hoped to pass on the property to her niece and nephew. But when Shirley goes to pay her taxes one day, she learns that her property has been sold without her knowledge for $230,000. When another of her properties shows up on Zillow, it becomes clear this is not a fluke but an elaborate real estate scam, targeting property owners in this historically Black neighborhood.

Suzi and Gary retire to Tucson and find the perfect house with a less-than-perfect kitchen. They love to cook and entertain, so they put their energy and money into renovating their dream kitchen. Construction starts and is going smoothly until the payment for cabinets is due. The designer requests immediate payment by wire transfer, but a week later they discover that the designer never received the payment. Suzi and Gary discover that they are the victims of a BEC (business email compromise) scam.

Retired priest, Father Robert Banzin, has devoted his life to the service of others. Now in his 80s, he continues to preach every Sunday at his Chicago-area parish. Father Bob, as he is known in his community, gets an alarming email claiming that his PayPal account had been used for a purchase on eBay. Concerned, he calls a number he believes to be PayPal's customer service and is informed that his bank account has been compromised. Within weeks, every penny of his life savings had been stolen. But all is not lost, as former students and parishioners rally to support him.

Chris Mancinelli shares the harrowing story of his father, Alfred, who falls prey to relentless online romance scams. With insights from Marty DeLima, a professor studying the impact of scams on older adults, they discuss the family's emotional turmoil and the shame that often accompanies such deception. Chris reveals their desperate attempts to help Alfred, navigating complex family dynamics and the psychological effects of fraud. Together, they emphasize the importance of open communication and strategies to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.

Chris Manzanelli shares his harrowing experience as he and his brother uncover their father Alfred's entanglement in multiple scams, including a romance scam with an impostor posing as WWE star Alexa Bliss. The podcast delves into the uneasy interactions between father and sons as they explore troubling financial patterns while trying to maintain familial bonds. It also highlights the emotional toll of scams on both the victims and their loved ones, emphasizing the complexities of elder care and the vulnerability exacerbated by isolation during the pandemic.

Niki Hutchinson shares her heart-wrenching tale of being duped in a crypto-dating scam, where she lost her inheritance and trust in emotional connections. With insights from Jean Chatzky, a seasoned financial editor, they explore the dangerous intersection of romance and cryptocurrency. Niki recounts the thrill and eventual disaster of investing under false pretenses while Jean highlights essential strategies for recognizing scams and protecting one's finances. Their conversation reveals the emotional turmoil of trusting too easily and the importance of cautious investments.