From cult leaders to con artists and undercover FBI agents, PRETEND exposes those pretending to be someone they're not.
…
continue reading
Javier Leiva Podcasts
Criminal Conduct is an investigative true-crime podcast series hosted by John Taylor and Javier Leiva. Season 1: The hosts look into the death of Michelle O'Connell, picking up the investigation where the murdered sleuth, Eli Washtock, left off. Season 2: The investigation of a rogue constable in Kentucky who is accused of planting drugs, stealing money, and shaking people down. Season 3: An American Serial Killer in Paradise: The story of serial killer William Holbert, aka "Wild Bill," and ...
…
continue reading
Two Sisters, Brandi and Sunni discussing real life liars, frauds, fakes and phonies who lie lie lie! New Episodes Weekly.
…
continue reading
Rick Fernandez—yes, the same Rick who thought he’d escaped six felonies—just got slapped with brand-new criminal charges in Phoenix Municipal Court. I flew in a court-runner to watch the hearing, dug through fresh police files, and pieced together how a self-published book and two midnight phone calls may blow up Rick & Tanya’s “clean-slate” divers…
…
continue reading
1
Listen Now: The Rise & Fall of Diddy: The Federal Trial
9:54
9:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:54
Opening statements rock the courtroom as federal prosecutors accuse Sean “Diddy” Combs of running a decades-long criminal enterprise built on violence, sex trafficking, and power. The defense hits back hard, painting it all as a toxic relationship, not a RICO case. Then Cassie Ventura takes the stand, and everything changes. Her voice may be quiet.…
…
continue reading
This week on PRETEND, we're doing something different. I’m bringing on my friend Johnathan Walton, the mastermind behind Queen of the Con, to share the premiere episode of his brand-new podcast series: Cocaine Air. Jonathan isn’t just a victim of a con artist—he’s turned his trauma into a storytelling empire. And in Cocaine Air, he tells the true s…
…
continue reading
1
2109: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 4
40:04
40:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:04
In part 4 of 'The Internet Saves the Bachelor,' we examine the growing cracks in Laura Owens’ story as her pregnancy timeline collapses under scrutiny. At one hearing, she claims to be 24 weeks pregnant. In another, she says she miscarried months earlier. The dates keep shifting — July, August, October — and still, no medical provider can confirm t…
…
continue reading
1
2108: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 3
37:19
37:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:19
In Part 3 of The Internet Saves the Bachelor, the truth—or at least, what remains of it—is put on trial. Laura Owens takes the stand. Under oath, she admits to altering the ultrasound she submitted as evidence. Her pregnancy timeline, once shaky, now completely collapses under cross-examination. The judge wants answers. The internet sleuths want ac…
…
continue reading
1
2107: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 2
42:00
42:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:00
The story isn’t over. In Part 2, we dig deeper into the chaos that followed Laura Owens’ accusations against Bachelor star Clayton Echard. Internet sleuths start pulling court records, police reports, and medical documents. Their findings are wild — fake identities, stolen ultrasounds, and a pregnancy that might never have happened. Laura pushes ba…
…
continue reading
1
2106: The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 1
33:48
33:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:48
After a one-night hookup with a fan-turned-client, former Bachelor star Clayton Echard faced an unexpected legal battle — and public accusations that threatened to ruin his life. In this episode, we unpack the early timeline of Clayton’s explosive case with Laura Michelle Owens, who claimed she was pregnant with his twins… despite his insistence th…
…
continue reading
1
2105: The Man Who Stole 200 Million Identities
28:30
28:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:30
In this episode of PRETEND, recorded live at the GISEC cybersecurity conference in Dubai, I spoke with Hieu Minh Ngo, once one of the most prolific identity thieves in the world. Operating out of Vietnam, Hieu stole and sold personal data on over 200 million Americans. We're talking names, birth dates, Social Security numbers—everything you’d need …
…
continue reading
While speaking at a hacker conference in Dubai, Javier revisits a conversation with professional pickpocket and entertainer James Freedman. James reveals how a childhood scuffle led to a lifelong obsession with the art of pickpocketing, evolving from swiping coins to mastering social engineering and even digital fraud. 🔗 Listen to Part 2 Click here…
…
continue reading
1
203 - The Steiner Mutual Benefits Fraud
1:10:44
1:10:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:44
Welcome to Book of Lies Podcast! We have a drawing/contest to earn a free book of lies podcast mug for those listeners out in the universe, a winner will be annouced June 1st 2025. Email your entries to [email protected] This week we bring you an episode for American Greed streaming on Peacock. Joel Steiner was a convicted felon who was b…
…
continue reading
How LaDonna Humphrey Used a Children's Event to Funnel Money Through Oasis of Northwest Arkansas. What happens when a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt turns into a glowing red flag? In this bonus episode of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva exposes a so-called family event that promised “magic,” but delivered mayhem — all tied to LaDonna Humphrey and her …
…
continue reading
Can you really fake being insane—and get away with it? In this episode of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva sits down with forensic psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of mental health evaluations in the criminal justice system. We explore how some criminals try to game the system, what psychologists look for …
…
continue reading
Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda—the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam. In this episode of PRETEND, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary e…
…
continue reading
Trigger warning: This episode contains graphic discussions of emotional, financial, sexual, and physical abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised. When Lindsay first met him, he was charming, successful, and convincing—a financial advisor with all the right answers. What started as a storybook marriage quickly spiraled into a nightmare of man…
…
continue reading
1
202 - The Ultimate Con w/ Guest Javier Leiva
42:59
42:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:59
Welcome to Book of Lies Podcast and Hello April! This week we have a new episode for you. We are joined by guest Javier Leiva of Pretend Podcast. You will enjoy this discussion, we cover topics ranging from Cults to Clown Porn and Ponzi Schemes to Fyre Fest 2. Join us for this great conversation as learn more about Javier and the people pretend who…
…
continue reading
1
2012: I Married a Narcissist part 2 Listener Reactions
16:11
16:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:11
After publishing the story of a woman trapped in a marriage with a narcissist, I wasn't sure how it would land. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t end in violence or arrest. But the response was overwhelming. Listeners wrote in to say, “That was me.” Some still carry the trauma years later. Others are just now realizing what they went through was abuse. I…
…
continue reading
In this episode of PRETEND, we meet “Ashley”—not her real name—who recorded hours of arguments with her husband in an effort to understand what was happening inside her marriage. From the outside, it looked like petty spats over groceries or laundry. But when you hear the audio, you realize this was something darker. Ashley’s husband was emotionall…
…
continue reading
Welcome to Book of Lies Podcast! This week we discuss the dreaded Catfish that gets you for your money. Share this episode with a friend. If you like what you hear come back, subscribe, leave a review. We would really appreciate it. Have a story of Fraud or a Scam you want to share? Email us at [email protected] You can connect with us on…
…
continue reading
It started with a missing breast milk keepsake. But when Cheyna Lee joined an online group of frustrated customers, she uncovered something much bigger—hundreds of victims, stolen mementos, and a scam artist hiding in plain sight. This is the story of Destiny Magoon, a small business owner who promised sentimental jewelry made from ashes, hair, and…
…
continue reading
