Best Bobsullivan Podcasts (2026)

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Archive Episode: Recent MBA Wakes Up From Dream Work-From-Home Job 53:09

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4d ago53:09

53:09

Remote work, which was a necessity for many during the pandemic, is now commonplace. While it's hard to beat the commute, criminals are paying close attention to this trend too. In this episode, a recent MBA graduate lands what feels like her dream job at a start-up that advocates for women's empowerment. The company culture is great and the job is…

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Bonus: AARP's Guide to Avoiding Holiday Scams 29:14

1M ago29:14

29:14

Amy Nofziger, Sr. Director of Victim Support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network™, stops by The Perfect Scam to discuss some new variations on old scams and the tactics criminals are using to exploit our vulnerabilities during this busy time of year. Learn what you should never do if you receive a mysterious package and why you should always hang on t…

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Scam Interception: NYPD Detective Tackles NFL Ticket Fraud 52:41

1M ago52:41

52:41

Hilarie, a dedicated Philadelphia sports fan, plans a weekend doubleheader to attend both a Phillies and an Eagles game with a friend. After successfully purchasing Phillies tickets through a Facebook resale group, she uses the same method for Eagles tickets—only to discover the promised tickets never arrive. Meanwhile, the NFL notices a rise in ti…

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Scam Declined: How Bank Employees Stopped a Scam 53:44

2M ago53:44

53:44

A call from someone claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission sends Linda on a quest to transfer $25,000, believing that she is assisting them in catching a criminal. The caller warns her not to tell anyone what she's up to, but perceptive bank employees at multiple branches suspect a scam and throw up roadblocks. Meanwhile, they alert Linda…

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Archive Episode: Brooke Astor, Famous Socialite Robbed 22:06

2M ago22:06

22:06

A prominent philanthropist and the center of New York society, Brooke Astor lived a tumultuous yet glamorous life. Left a fortune by her third husband, Vincent Astor, Brooke planned to live out her later years at her country estate. But when Brooke's son refuses to let her do so, then sells his mother's favorite painting (worth over $30 million), g…

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Criminals Threaten Jail Time in Jury Duty Scam 51:34

2M ago51:34

51:34

Jana always tries to do the right thing, so when she receives a call from the sheriff's office stating that she missed jury duty, she panics. She thinks back to studying for her American citizenship exam and learning how important it is to respond to a jury summons. She doesn't remember receiving a notice, but the officer knows all her personal inf…

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Thieves Drain Crypto Wallets in Sophisticated Phishing Scam 1:00:35

2M ago1:00:35

1:00:35

After several years of investing in crypto, Glen has built up a sizeable nest egg. The money means security and the ability to buy a home. One day, when trying to log in to Coinbase, he realizes that his account is locked. Seconds later, he receives a call from "Coinbase support." The customer service agent explains that due to a major data breach …

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From Puppies to Heartbreak: How a Pet Scam Targets One Man's Home 49:58

3M ago49:58

49:58

When a couple pulls up to Gene's North Carolina home looking for their beagle puppy, he is not sure what to make of it. But soon, a steady stream of would-be pet owners arriving in the following days and weeks makes it clear that criminals are using his address to pull off their scams. Gene is patient and helpful with the disappointed families. Eve…

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This Job Scam is Suddenly Everywhere 56:02

3M ago56:02

56:02

Dorothy is looking for a part-time job that will enable her to work from home and accommodate her medical disability. After applying for numerous jobs and posting her résumé online, she receives a message about an app testing job. It seems like a great fit, since she has done similar work in the past, but the complicated system has Dorothy adding h…

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North Korean "Laptop Farm" Scams Target American Companies 58:00

3M ago58:00

58:00

Wall Street Journal reporter Robert McMillan and FBI agent Joe Hooper recount the story of Christina Chapman, a Minnesota woman who is drawn into the world of laptop farming. She is struggling to make ends meet, living in a trailer without running water, and a job offer to be the US representative for an international company is a godsend. Laptop f…

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Job Seekers Targeted in Water Filtration Job Scam, Part 2 40:05

3M ago40:05

40:05

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 gadg…

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Job Seekers Targeted in Water Filtration Job Scam, Part 1 26:48

4M ago26:48

26:48

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 Faceboo…

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The Crypto Detectives: Tracking Down Stolen Funds 54:48

4M ago54:48

54:48

Online criminals love cryptocurrency for many reasons – it's anonymous, can't be traced, and payments are irreversible. So when Paul discovers he has been targeted by a crypto scam and the thieves have stolen $450,000, he is resigned to the fact that he may never see that money again. That is, until an online search leads him to Wisconsin police de…

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All That Glitters is Not Gold: Gold Bar Scams 51:01

4M ago51:01

51:01

A tech support scam leads to criminals stealing one woman's life savings in gold bars. Gold bar scams have exploded in popularity as gold prices hit all-time highs. In this episode, Bob talks with a gold store dealer and a detective who are sounding the alarm about this trend. Hear how they are using gold bar sting operations to nab the criminals.…

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Archive Episode: Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 2 1:09:33

4M ago1:09:33

1:09:33

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 cl…

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Archive Episode: Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 1 40:34

5M ago40:34

40:34

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 whe…

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Archive Episode: International Crime Ring Sets Up in West Virginia College Town 39:42

5M ago39:42

39:42

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. Followi…

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Bonus: Scam Survivors Use Experience to Help Others 32:14

5M ago32:14

32:14

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…

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Tech Support Scam Turns Romance Scam 47:52

5M ago47:52

47:52

When Joe can't get his Apple Pay payment to go through, he does a quick search for their customer service number and reaches an operator named Daisy. Daisy informs Joe that his account has been flagged – criminals have compromised his identity and are coming after his life savings. But there is nothing to worry about, Daisy works directly with the …

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Tech Startup Defrauds Investors 51:44

6M ago51:44

51:44

A trusted friend introduces Taylor to a man named Sylvein William Maximilian D'Habsburg XVII, a tech whiz and the inventor of a fascinating new robotic technology. His gigantic insect-like robots promise to be a game changer in military applications. He offers her what feels like the opportunity of a lifetime, getting in on the ground floor of this…

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Romance Scammer Poses as Keanu Reeves Using AI 53:00

6M ago53:00

53:00

Diane is still mourning the death of her boyfriend when a game of Words With Friends leads to a connection. The man claims to be actor Keanu Reeves. While initially skeptical, the video chat and voice messages he sends eventually convince her of his identity. As the relationship deepens over three years, "Keanu" will borrow thousands of dollars fro…

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VIN Cloning Scams: What Car Buyers Need to Know 43:31

6M ago43:31

43:31

John is in the market for a pickup truck when he comes across a Facebook Marketplace ad for a 2021 Dodge Ram. It needs a little TLC, but it's a reasonable price, and he's had luck buying used cars online before. He does his research by checking the VIN on multiple sites, consulting friends in the auto business, and even taking a mechanic friend wit…

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Title Pirates: How Scammers Use Quitclaim Deeds to Steal Homes 37:30

6M ago37:30

37:30

Dreama and Larry's house is undergoing renovation after a tree fell on it. Since they cannot live there during the repairs, they set up security cameras to monitor the property. To their surprise, they notice a couple repeatedly visiting the house. Alarmed, Dreama and Larry register for a free alert system that will notify them of any changes to th…

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How AI is Making "Pump and Dump" Investment Scams Easy for Criminals 43:06

7M ago43:06

43:06

Karen is experienced in investing, but she hopes to boost her retirement savings by joining an investors group on WhatsApp. After a few months of receiving positive trading tips, she follows the advice to invest in several stocks in Asian markets. Her portfolio plummets, losing tens of thousands of dollars. Karen is the victim of a classic "pump an…

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Archive Episode: Knock Knock, Where's My Puppy? 48:40

7M ago48:40

48:40

In this 2021 episode, Rochelle scores a great deal on a house in northern Virginia, only to have her dream home transformed a few months later into Pet Scam Central. Day after day, strangers show up on her doorstep, claiming they've arrived to pick up a puppy they paid for. Some have driven over six or twelve hours with their family. Unfortunately,…

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Archive Episode: Courage of Steele, Part 2: How One Man Fought Back Against His Abusive Caregiver 28:28

7M ago28:28

28:28

In part 2, as 72-year-old Steve Steele is released from jail, not only can he hardly stand or walk, but he is worried about how he will recover the property stolen by Elizabeth, the caregiver who worked for him. That's where Steve's attorney, Brent Smith, comes in, waging what becomes a nearly two-year battle.…

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Archive Episode: Courage of Steele, Part 1: Housekeeper Turned Caregiver Steals Homes 23:30

7M ago23:30

23:30

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, a…

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Reverse Mortgage Scam Leaves Chicago Families Fighting to Save Homes 51:45

8M ago51:45

51:45

Longtime homeowners on Chicago's West Side trust Mark Diamond to help them access funds and carry out necessary home repairs. However, they are often unaware that they are entering into reverse mortgage agreements. The repairs are never completed, and Diamond disappears with the money, leaving families desperately struggling to save their homes fro…

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The NFT Scam Targeting Artists 44:57

8M ago44:57

44:57

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 NF…

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Lost But Not Found: The Lost Pet Scam 55:16

8M ago55:16

55:16

When Chloe's mom experiences a medical emergency, Chloe rushes to be by her side. Amid the stress and chaos of the following days, her mother's cat, Percy, slips out one evening. Chloe and her family do everything they can to find him, but after several days, Percy still hasn't returned. Then, they receive a call from the "Tampa Bay Humane Society"…

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Serial Scammer Targets Hockey League Parents, Part 2 50:15

8M ago50:15

50:15

In part two, law enforcement narrows in on Kota Youngblood and his scheme to steal millions of dollars from neighbors and fellow hockey league parents. His cruel lies have many believing that his life and, in some cases, their own lives are in danger from a Mexican drug cartel. The stories are so convincing that some victims are hesitant to talk to…

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Serial Scammer Targets Hockey League Parents, Part 1 47:14

9M ago47:14

47:14

Kota Youngblood is known as a larger-than-life character in his small Texas town, spinning wild tales of military service and work as an undercover federal agent to his neighbors and acquaintances from his son's hockey league. His deceptions – from investments in rare coins and sports memorabilia to stories about drug cartels and kidnappings – stea…

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Bonus: 'Thelma' Director Shares Grandmother's Experience with Scam 34:08

9M ago34:08

34:08

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 …

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Sextortion Scam Targeting Michigan Teen Ends in Tragedy 58:01

9M ago58:01

58:01

Jordan is a star athlete and homecoming king who is packing for a beach vacation when he receives a message on Instagram. The account is of an attractive girl named Dani. Jordan exchanges flirty messages with her, and eventually, she convinces him to send an explicit photo of himself. That's when everything changes. Dani threatens to send the photo…

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Romance Scam Kingpin Brought to Justice, Part 2 45:37

9M ago45:37

45:37

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. Onyob…

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Romance Scam Kingpin Brought to Justice, Part 1 33:13

9M ago33:13

33:13

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 ha…

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Archive Episode: Miami Property Scammers, Part 2 25:07

10M ago25:07

25:07

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 …

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Archive Episode: Miami Property Scammers, Part 1 25:51

10M ago25:51

25:51

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, Shirl…

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Dream Kitchen Renovation Ruined by a Scam 44:48

10M ago44:48

44:48

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 lat…

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PayPal Impostor Scam Steals Priest's Life Savings 39:53

10M ago39:53

39:53

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…

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Family Fights to Disentangle Father from Romance Scam, Part 2 43:42

11M ago43:42

43:42

In part 2, Chris and his family try without success to stop their father, Alfred, from sending money to a series of criminals he met online – some claiming to need medical care and one even impersonating WWE wrestler Alexa Bliss. One day when Alfred comes to him asking for a $5,000 loan, Chris thinks it could be a turning point. The optimism is sho…

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Family Fights to Disentangle Father from Romance Scam, Part 1 36:59

11M ago36:59

36:59

When Alfred's sons notice unusual transactions on their dad's bank statements, they start asking questions. But Alfred's reaction tells them that there is much more to the story than he is letting on. The family spends the next several years trying desperately to disentangle their father from various scams, one even involving an online romance with…

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Archive Episode: Woman's Inheritance Wiped Out in Crypto-Dating Scam 58:23

11M ago58:23

58:23

After 25-year-old Niki Hutchinson loses her mother, she uses some of her inheritance to start fresh in California. Not knowing anyone, she does what many people do today and joins a dating app to make connections. She develops a friendship with a man named Hao and, in time, he offers to teach her how to invest in cryptocurrency. With some small suc…

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Job Seekers Targeted by a Work-From-Home Reshipping Scam 40:38

11M ago40:38

40:38

When Cathy's disabled husband loses his Medicaid coverage, she must look for a job to help pay the rent. The retired Army Reserve veteran has impressive work experience, so when she puts her resume online, she almost immediately gets an offer. The job is for a shipping company, receiving, inspecting, and forwarding packages, and it allows her to wo…

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Phony Home Contractors Steal Over $450,000 50:07

12M ago50:07

50:07

80-year-old David lives in a tight-knit community, frequently helping his neighbors with yard care and other tasks. So when he gets a knock on the door from two brothers claiming they are working on his neighbor's home, and noticed a hole in his roof, David agrees to let them fix it. But one repair turns into many as the brothers find more and more…

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Minnesota Man Caught in Blind Mule Drug Trafficking Scam 48:50

12M ago48:50

48:50

Rodney Baldus, a retired truck driver from Minnesota, believes he is the recipient of a large inheritance belonging to his late wife. The inheritance is in Italy, but he is told he must first fly to Africa to sign papers before going on to Italy. Since his travel expenses are all paid for, Rodney is not suspicious of criminal activity. Unfortunatel…

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Whiskey Investment Scheme Goes Barrel-Up 54:18

12M ago54:18

54:18

Ray is retired but always looking for interesting opportunities. So, when he gets a cold call from a whiskey brokerage firm asking if he wants to invest in some of the world's rarest whiskeys, he's intrigued. He meets with a wealth manager, Casey Alexander, who is well-mannered and professional. Ray feels confident investing over $300,000 in whiske…

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Archive Episode: YouTube Star Kitboga Fights Fraud With Humor 57:10

1y ago57:10

57:10

In this 2023 episode, YouTube star Kitboga has turned scam baiting into performance art, delighting his 3.6 million followers with his many characters and laughs at the expense of online criminals. It started out as pure curiosity, and a way to avenge his grandparents who'd been victims of scams, but along the way, he's helped return money and hija…

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Archive Episode: Scams, Magic and the Art of Deception With Alexis Conran 29:55

1y ago29:55

29:55

In this 2022 episode, host Bob Sullivan welcomes special guest Alexis Conran. Conran's insight into the mind of a con man comes from acting as one on the popular BBC show The Real Hustle. On the series, Conran, an actual trained magician, and his team perpetrate scams on unsuspecting consumers and then reveal the crimes to the victims (now in the h…

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SIM Swapping: Scammers Hijack Smartphones and Steal Thousands 30:53

1y ago30:53

30:53

We use our smartphones for just about everything these days, and that makes them a prime target for scammers. Online banking often relies on a code sent in a text message to verify the account holder's identity, but criminals have figured out a way to impersonate the phone and intercept these messages. This is exactly what happens when Jeff receive…