

Fraudish
Kelly Paxton
Fraudish is a podcast to help those working in fraud. Hosted by Kelly Paxton, Certified Fraud Examiner, Ex-Private Investigator, and Pink Collar Crime Expert. Kelly is a former special agent turned investigator specializing in embezzlement and workplace dishonesty cases. Fraudish interviews outstanding fraud professionals so you can continue to move forward in your career. Origin stories, tips, resources are just some of the amazing fraud content you will hear each Tuesday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 7, 2025 • 33min
From Patriot Act to Online-Banking: How Banking and AML Changed with Becki LaPorte
Fraudish fans, I've brought an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) powerhouse Becki LaPorte to share the fraud lessons and career pivots that keep you coming back.Becki breaks down her fascinating evolution from therapist to Anti-Money Laundering specialist, revealing how her psychology background became her secret weapon in understanding financial crime patterns. For those of you navigating career transitions in fraud prevention, her journey through banking, securities, and technology offers a masterclass in building transferable skills that keep you relevant as compliance demands evolve.This episode delivers tangible professional development for anyone serious about advancing their fraud-fighting toolkit!Connect with Becki: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becki-laporte-cfcs-fis-a543b95/

Sep 30, 2025 • 56min
200 Episodes of Fraudish & We're Still Kicking: Death Investigation Special with Dean Beers
Fraudish fans, we made it to 200 episodes! To celebrate, I'm diving into the ultimate fraud – death fraud – with death investigator Dean Beers. And yes, "death investigator" is absolutely as fascinating a job as it sounds!Dean's been poking around suspicious deaths since 1987 (before some of you were born!) and shares some jaw-dropping stories that would make even your favorite true crime podcast blush. From "Oops, they're not actually dead" insurance scams to cases where the evidence tells a completely different story than the witnesses, Dean's seen it all. The best part? He breaks down how evidence-based impartiality is the secret sauce to cracking these cases wide open.This episode is perfect for my fellow investigation nerds, whether you're working in the private sector or government. Here's to 200 more episodes of Fraudish conversations!Connect with Dean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/forensicinvestigators/Investigative Courses registration link and discount code:www.InvestigativeCourses.comCode: fraudish15associates@InvestigativeCourses.comTruth Verifications: www.TruthVerifications.com (we offer a 10% discount or a 10% referral fee back to them, just tell us they heard on the podcast).Books: their three books are at www.PrivateInvestigations.org (direct from us is a 20% discount from Amazon retail, and also includes taxes and shipping).http://www.deathcasereview.com/http://www.deathcasereview.com/truth-verifications.html

Sep 23, 2025 • 38min
Why Good People Do Bad Things with Guido Palazzo
This episode with Prof. Guido Palazzo blew my mind about how normal people turn into corporate criminals. Turns out it's less about bad apples and more about toxic orchards! We dish about all your favorite corporate disasters: Theranos, Wells Fargo, and France Telecom. Guido explains how fear and impossible targets are basically Fraud Fertilizer™.My favorite part? Learning that having a career "Plan B" is your best defense against being pressured into sketchy accounting, and that reading novels builds more ethical muscles than those cheesy HR training videos. Next time your boss talks about "getting creative with the numbers," remember this conversation and maybe update that resume... just saying!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guidopalazzo-/Website: https://guidopalazzo.com/Get his book: https://guidopalazzo.com/book-project/

Sep 16, 2025 • 46min
From White Shoe Lawyer to White Collar Inmate and Back with Jeff Grant Esq.
Buckle up, Fraudish! Jeff Grant gives "career pivot" a whole new meaning in this episode: from lawyer to opioid addict to federal inmate to ordained minister to practicing attorney again. Talk about a LinkedIn profile that raises eyebrows!Jeff and his wife Lynn created the White Collar Support Group (therapy for people who've traded corner offices for prison cells) and now he's fighting for a Federal Expungement Initiative. As someone who investigates fraud for a living, I was fascinated by the "after the handcuffs" perspective we don’t discuss too often.Don't miss the White Collar Conference 2025 on October 11th (virtual) featuring CNN's Jeffrey Toobin and Joe Bankman, father of crypto's fallen wunderkind SBF. Florida friends – catch Jeff live on October 9th at Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach (RSVP: rsvp@bbts.org).Links:White Collar Support Group: http://prisonist.orgConference: http://whitecollarconference.comLaw Practice: http://GrantLaw.comExpungement Initiative: http://federalexpungement.orgNew Yorker profile: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/30/life-after-white-collar-crimeJeff's Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Grant_(attorney)

Sep 10, 2025 • 48min
When Positive Psychology Meets Fraud Prevention with Robin Johnson
I'm back with a conversation that connects dots I never saw coming! Robin Johnson brings the ultimate career combo - fraud prevention expert AND positive psychology guru.We dive into why that perfectly nice Karen from accounting suddenly "borrows" $250K, how toxic workplace culture practically invites fraud, and my favorite revelation: positive psychology might prevent fraud better than another policy manual (sorry, corporate writers!).Robin's journey from MBA to Safe Checks fraud specialist to positive psychology master's degree holder gives her unique insight into the human side of fraud. If you've wondered why your fancy controls still don't stop determined fraudsters, this episode has your answer: better humans, healthier workplaces!Connect with Robin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlitsterjohnson/Website: https://www.robinlearningsystems.com/Mentioned in this episode:Safe Checks: https://www.safechecks.com/Book: Positive Leadership by Kim Cameron: https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Leadership-Strategies-Extraordinary-Performance/dp/1609945662/Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Flats_National_Wildlife_RefugeTED Talk: "Forget the pecking order at work" by Margaret Heffernan: https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_forget_the_pecking_order_at_work

Aug 26, 2025 • 40min
Networking Across Borders: Yin Johnson’s Global PI Career
"My location holds no boundaries!" - Yin Johnson, whose 37-year investigative career spans continents and countless fraud cases. In this episode, we explore how Yin built her global investigation practice and leverages her extensive network to solve complex cases.Yin shares her journey from sports instructor to renowned international investigator, offering insights on financial and intellectual property fraud across different cultures. We discuss how technology has transformed her work and the power of building strong investigative connections worldwide.Kelly want’s her rolodex! Connect:LinkedIn: Yin JohnsonBooks: Reprobates | Killer SmileLinkedIn: Kelly Paxton

Aug 19, 2025 • 33min
An Ethical Rabbi Walks into a Bar? with Rabbi Yonason Goldson
After 30 years in Jewish education, Rabbi Yonason Goldson became an ethics expert and speaker. As I discovered, it's not as big a leap as you might think!In this episode, we explore whether today's world is actually less ethical or if we just see more wrongdoing due to social media and the 24 hours news cycle. We also dive into how AI is reshaping our ethical landscape and what ancient wisdom can teach us about modern dilemmas.Yonason brings unique perspectives as a prolific content creator and host of the podcast 'Grappling with the Gray.' If you've ever had questions about navigating ethical gray areas in your professional life, this conversation delivers practical insights you can apply immediately!Connect with Yonason Goldson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonason-goldson/TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/yonason_goldson_how_i_became_my_own_worst_nightmarePodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/45dZ36DR6SxpFGGJSaXPuiConnect with Kelly:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellypaxton/

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 5min
Even Fraud Has a Silver Lining with Johnathan Walton
Join Johnathan Walton, a TV producer and author of Anatomy of a Con Artist, as he reveals how a scam from an Irish heiress transformed his life. He shares his journey from victim to expert, discussing the silver linings of fraud. The conversation dives into the psychological impacts of scams, the challenges victims face in seeking justice, and the thrill behind deception. Walton also teases his new podcast, Cocaine Air, which explores the life of a former drug smuggler. Prepare for insights into both the dark and enlightening sides of con artistry!

Aug 5, 2025 • 51min
There’s Always a Victim: True Crime Road Trip with Lou Schachter
Lou Schachter, investigative writer and creator of True Crime Road Trip, shares his thrilling journey of recovering stolen art and the tales behind it. Discover the captivating story of two paintings missing for decades, their dramatic recovery, and the shocking link to an infamous art theft. Lou reflects on how his grandfather's unsolved murder fueled his passion for true crime and hints at his upcoming project, "Lust for Power.” This engaging discussion dives into the complexities of crime, art theft, and the stories that weave them together.

Jun 3, 2025 • 30min
Romance Bait & Robocalls: Fighting Back Against Scam with Alex Quilici
Scam calls. Scam texts. Scam everything.This week on Fraudish, I’m talking with Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail, and let me tell you—we cover it all. From robocalls to text scams to the rise of "romance baiting" (yes, we’re rebranding “pig butchering”), Alex breaks down what’s really going on behind that unknown number blowing up your phone.We also dig into:Why younger people fall for scams more often than you'd thinkEasy ways to protect your privacy (hint: secondary numbers are your friend)How scammers are using tech and emotions to trap peopleAnd yes—safe words aren’t just for kids anymoreIf you think you’re too smart to get scammed, you need to hear this. Stay skeptical, stay protected, and maybe don’t answer that next call from “Scottsdale, AZ.”🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts!🛡️ More from Alex + YouMail:Alex on LinkedInYouMailRobocall TrendsFile a Scam Report – FCCAARP’s Scam-Fighting Podcasts