Episodes
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Today on The Protectors Podcast, we come to you from the 2025 IAFCI Conference in Oklahoma, where Mark sits down solo for a fast-moving conversation with members of the Wichita Task Force. These law enforcement officers specialize in retail theft investigations, but their focus goes far beyond small-time shoplifting - they’re targeting organized, professional retail theft crews operating on a much larger scale. The task force shares how they work with retailers, track patterns, build cases, and coordinate strategies to identify and arrest the criminals behind these operations. It’s a sharp, fun conversation with a team that clearly knows how to work together - and how to get results.
The Protectors Podcast - Where Awareness Turns Into Action.
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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This week on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with Susan Sommerville, an Enrolled Agent whose work led her into a heartbreaking case of financial exploitation. Sue’s story is a powerful reminder that fraud doesn’t always start with a suspicious email or a bad investment — sometimes it begins with loneliness, trust, and the hope of finding love again.
On this episode, we look at how romance scams devastate victims, how professionals can spot the warning signs, and why protecting yourself and others often starts with simply paying attention.
The Protectors Podcast - Helping You Spot the Red Flags
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Sue Sommerville LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-sommerville-2ab1549b/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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Missing episodes?
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Romance scams are among the most personal and devastating forms of fraud - because the criminal isn’t just after money. They’re after trust.
In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with two powerful voices on the front lines of this issue. Kate Kleinert shares how she went from victim to advocate after experiencing a romance scam firsthand. Cassandra Dessureau-O'Hara, a licensed therapist with years of experience working with cases like this, brings insight into the emotional manipulation, victim impact, and warning signs families should understand.
This episode is about more than red flags. It’s about recovery, resilience, and what happens when victims find their voice.
The Protectors Podcast - Where Trust Meets the Truth.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Cassandra Dessureau-O'Hara: https://www.mjabehavioralhealthandwellness.com/cassandra-dessureau-ohara-lpc
Kate Kleinert LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-kleinert-ofs-77a3a85/
AARP: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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This week on The Protectors Podcast, Mark and Mike are joined by Rudy Meola, a leading voice in the world of auto title fraud. From sophisticated vehicle fraud schemes impacting banks and lenders to everyday consumers being misled in private sales, the risks are growing fast. Rudy breaks down how these scams work, who’s being targeted, and why they’re becoming more common. He also shares key red flags and practical tips to help protect both industry professionals and the public. If you’ve ever bought, sold, or financed a vehicle, this is one you don’t want to miss.
The Protectors Podcast - Where Fraud Meets Its Match.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Rudy Meola LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudy-meola-24432343
Meola Law: https://www.meolalaw.com/our-team/
NMVTIS: https://www.aamva.org/technology/systems/vehicle-systems/nmvtis
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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On today’s episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with Shawn Loveland to uncover one of the most dangerous risks facing organizations today—insider threats. From trusted employees to “trusted bad actors,” Shawn breaks down how threats from within are costing companies billions every year and why they’re often the hardest to detect. From dark web investigations to uncovering hidden digital footprints, this episode pulls back the curtain on a threat most people never see coming.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Shawn Loveland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-loveland
Resecurity: https://www.resecurity.com/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing the world, it’s changing how fraud works. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with Connor Heaton, Program Manager at CivAI, to explore how AI is already being used to power the next generation of scams, deepfakes, and highly personalized social engineering attacks.
From voice cloning and video deepfakes to AI-generated phishing campaigns that eliminate traditional red flags, Connor breaks down how quickly the threat landscape is evolving - and why many of the warning signs we’ve relied on for years are disappearing. We also dive into where these tools are coming from, who is most at risk right now, and what individuals, financial institutions, and law enforcement can do to stay ahead.
This isn’t a conversation about the future. It’s happening right now. And the question is no longer if AI will impact fraud, it’s how prepared are we when it does.
The Protectors Podcast - Protection From the Frauds You Never See Coming.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Connor Heaton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorheaton/
CivAI Website: https://civai.org/
Google: "AI Misuse/Threat Reports"
Links to the latest Misuse Reports:
https://www.anthropic.com/news/disrupting-AI-espionagehttps://cdn.openai.com/pdf/df438d70-e3fe-4a6c-a403-ff632def8f79/disrupting-malicious-uses-of-ai.pdfhttps://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/distillation-experimentation-integration-ai-adversarial-use?e=48754805________________________________
IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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March Madness brings more than buzzer-beaters and busted brackets — it’s also one of the biggest sports betting moments of the year. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark welcome back Dr. Declan Hill, a leading researcher and author who has spent years studying the global sports betting industry, for a follow-up conversation about the forces shaping modern wagering. From the rise of micro-betting to the reality of frictionless gambling on our phones, Declan explains how technology and massive betting markets are changing the landscape of sports faster than most fans realize. As March Madness captures the nation’s attention, this conversation is more relevant than ever.
The Protectors Podcast - Protection From the Frauds You Never See Coming.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Dr. Declan Hill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declanhill/
Dr. Declan Hill - Substack: https://declanhill.substack.com/?utm_source=discover_search
Crime Waves Podcast: https://www.crimewavespodcast.com/home
Gamblers Anonymous: https://gamblersanonymous.org/
National Problem Gambling Helpline: https://www.ncpgambling.org
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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This episode of The Protectors Podcast is a tough one. Today, Mike and Mark welcome back Bernie — a past guest who bravely shared how he was targeted in a romance scam. Now he’s back… because it happened again. How does this happen twice, and why do these schemes succeed — even when we believe we’re smarter than the last attempt?
Also joining us is licensed professional counselor Cassandra O’Hara, who helps break down the psychological side of romance fraud — why it’s so powerful, how manipulation works, and what Bernie — and anyone listening — can do moving forward. Because romance scams aren’t about being foolish. They’re about being human.
The Protectors Podcast - Helping You Spot the Scam Before It Starts.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Cassandra Dessureau-O'Hara: https://www.mjabehavioralhealthandwellness.com/cassandra-dessureau-ohara-lpc
IC3.gov: https://www.ic3.gov/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
Companies mentioned in this episode:
IAFCIUniversity of BridgeSacred Heart UniversityNational Board of Certified CounselorsAmerican Counseling AssociationConnecticut Counseling Association
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On this episode of The Protectors Podcast, hosts Mike and Mark welcome back Kelly Gowe, whose mother was the victim of a devastating romance scam that ended in tragedy. Since her last appearance, Kelly, working with members of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, has uncovered critical details that were previously missed. Her pursuit of truth has not only advanced her mother’s case but also led her to found a foundation dedicated to preventing romance scams and supporting victims. Kelly is launching her new podcast, Girl with a Microphone, which documents her journey into what she describes as real crime in real time. This conversation is about resilience, accountability, and refusing to let the truth stay buried.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:4041 Foundation: https://4041foundation.org/
IC3.gov: https://www.ic3.gov/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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Today on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark welcome back one of their most compelling guests — Dr. Declan Hill of the University of New Haven. A world-leading expert on sports gambling, match-fixing, and organized crime in athletics, Declan joins us to break down how legal betting, corporate media, and underground networks are colliding in ways most fans never see. If you love sports, this conversation will change how you watch the game.
The Protectors Podcast - Real Investigators. Real Crimes. Real Protection.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Dr. Declan Hill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declanhill/
Dr. Declan Hill - Substack: https://declanhill.substack.com/?utm_source=discover_search
Crime Waves Podcast: https://www.crimewavespodcast.com/home
Gamblers Anonymous: https://gamblersanonymous.org/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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This week on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark are joined by Kathy Stokes, AARP’s national fraud prevention authority, for a powerful look at the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center (NEFCC) — a groundbreaking program uniting law enforcement agencies nationwide to track, connect, and prosecute complex elder fraud cases. Kathy reveals how coordinated intelligence is leading to real arrests and real prison time - and shares AARP’s scam defense methods designed to keep Americans protected. Tune in — because if this information doesn’t protect you, it may protect someone you love.
The Protectors Podcast - Protection For You and Those You Love.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Kathy Stokes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-stokes/
National Elder Fraud Coordination Center: https://www.fightelderfraud.org/
Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/
Show Notes:Pause, Reflect, Protect: Remember These Steps!
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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In this special New Year’s Eve episode of The Protectors Podcast, the team comes together for a year-in-review conversation reflecting on the cases, conversations, and insights that defined the past year. Hosts Mark and Mike are joined by Executive Producer Doug Taylor and Editor-in-Chief Chris Warner to revisit standout moments with expert guests who helped shed light on today’s most complex financial crimes. The discussion highlights key themes, lessons learned, and how the show continues to evolve. The episode also looks ahead to the coming year, teasing new perspectives, deeper investigations, and powerful voices listeners can expect next. It’s a thoughtful close to the year — and a compelling setup for what’s ahead.
The Protectors Podcast — Educating and Protecting, All Year Long.
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with Detective Mark DiBone from the Maricopa County Police Department in Arizona to talk about a type of crime we haven’t spent much time on before — healthcare fraud. Mark walks them through a real case involving stolen identity, insurance fraud, and fraudulent medical billing that added up to nearly half a million dollars. It’s a complex web of deception that impacts hospitals, insurers, and most importantly, innocent victims. These crimes happen every day, quietly piling up hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent debt nationwide. Tune in — this is an eye-opening episode you won’t want to miss.
The Protectors Podcast — Inside the Investigations That Protect Us All.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Mark DiBone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdibone/
Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/
Identity Theft - What to Do Next:
Inform the three major Credit Bureaus Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) File a Police Report________________________________
IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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Recorded live on stage in front of a packed audience at the 2025 IAFCI Conference in Oklahoma City, today’s episode of The Protectors Podcast features U.S. Marshals Service veteran Kaitlyn Kent. Kaitlyn breaks down how following the money helps close violent cases and how the IAFCI’s network gives investigators the edge. Her perspective comes straight from the front lines of the Marshals Service, where financial leads can make or break a case. This is the kind of insight most people never get to hear.
The Protectors Podcast - Powered by Partnerships That Close Cases.
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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On this episode of The Protectors, Mike and Mark are joined by Sarasota Police Detectives Andrew Rowe and Carlos Verdoni—two investigators who’ve been uncovering one of the most surprising types of organized fraud happening today.
We first met Andrew and Carlos at the 2025 Oklahoma Conference, and their story stuck with us. What started with a simple fraud report quickly led to something much bigger—a network of prison-based gangs running multimillion-dollar scams that stretched across states and into the world of cryptocurrency.
It’s a story about connection, coordination, and collaboration—law enforcement across the country working together to shut down a scheme run from behind bars, and the detectives who helped bring it all to light.
The Protectors Podcast - Where Crime Meets Consequence.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Detective Andrew Rowe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-rowe-bb8893270/
Detective Carlos Verdoni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-verdoni-cfci-41ab1a83/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with NYPD Detective Daniel Alessandrino. Dan pulls back the curtain on a darker, more organized side of financial crime—where powerful gang alliances cross borders, and human trafficking “campuses” drive a multibillion-dollar global fraud operation - one call and one victim at a time.
It’s a chilling look at the new face of organized crime—and one conversation you won’t want to miss.
The Protectors Podcast - Protecting Lives, Rights, and the Truth.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Detective Alessandrino LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-alessandrino-7a37b1126/
Operation Shamrock: https://operationshamrock.org/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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Today on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark are coming to you from the 2025 IAFCI International Conference in Oklahoma City. They sit down with forensic accountant Steve Pedneault, who pulls back the curtain on what it really means to be a forensic accountant — how it’s different from traditional accounting, how financial investigations uncover fraud and embezzlement, and how his work supports law enforcement and prosecutors in bringing cases to justice. He also shares valuable insight for business owners — large and small — on the red flags to watch for and how to protect your organization from the inside out. It’s a sharp reminder that sometimes, the numbers tell the whole story.
The Protectors Podcast — Education is Protection.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Forensic Accounting Services, LLC: https://www.forensicaccountingservices.com/
Steve Pedneault LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenpedneault/
Steve's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephen-Pedneault/author/B0028S2T9W?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Justice for Fraud Victims Project: https://www.justiceforfraudvictimsproject.org/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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They may go by different names—psychics, healers, spiritual guides—but the con is always the same: taking people’s money by promising the impossible. Today on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark welcome Audrey Moy to the conference studio at the 2025 IAFCI Convention in Oklahoma City. Audrey is a retired investigator who now volunteers with AARP to protect elders from fraud. She’s here to warn us about the “blessing scam,” a cruel twist on the same tricks behind psychic cons—fake healers exploiting fear for profit—this time targeting people in the Asian community. Audrey shares the red flags to watch for, how to stay safe, and what victims should know. Knowledge is protection, and this conversation delivers both.
The Protectors Podcast - Information That Protects.
Links Mentioned On the Show:SFPD Blessing Scam Awareness Video: https://vimeo.com/1051992697?utm_source=chatgpt.com
AARP Online Fraud Resources: https://states.aarp.org/florida/online-and-printable-fraud-resources
AARP Watchdog Alert Handbook: https://www.huntsumres.org/pdf/aarp-fraud-watch-network-handbook-2022.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
National Association of Bunco Investigators (NABI): https://www.nabihq.org/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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Today, The Protectors Podcast comes to you from the 2025 IAFCI National Convention in Oklahoma City with a conversation that digs deep into one of the most controversial cases of our time. Mike and Mark welcome Professor Declan Hill of the University of New Haven, a world-class investigator whose students conducted the most thorough investigation into the death of Jeffrey Epstein, going further than any other agency to uncover what really happened. The results of their work are both eye-opening and hard to ignore. If you think you’ve heard the full Epstein story before, think again.
The Protectors Podcast - Shedding Light, Sharing Knowledge
GUEST CONTACT INFO:Declan Hill, Univ. of New Haven: https://www.newhaven.edu/faculty-staff-profiles/declan-hill.php
Crimewaves Podcast: https://www.crimewavespodcast.com/
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with retired detective Tony Fiscella to revisit a case that shook a community to its core — the murder of 24-year-old Valerie Reyes. Known as The Girl in the Red Suitcase, Valerie’s story is as haunting as it is unforgettable. Detective Fiscella not only led the investigation that brought her killer to justice, but also carried the emotional toll of a case that changed him and his department forever. Tune in and hear the story behind a case that left its mark long after justice was served.
The Protectors Podcast - Behind every case, a protector stands.
The Girl in the Red Suitcase, by Anthony Fiscella: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Red-Suitcase-Anthony-Fiscella-ebook/dp/B0F2JGD26B/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RK9IRF1I3SUX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sbOrVUICcyOOqzAsGInSrg.sM7e8oM1U9I7hOSVYfAePbExZ4JJtKAUeybEN1DXcg8&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+girl+in+the+red+suitcase+book&qid=1757380293&sprefix=the+girl+in+the+red+suitcase+bo%2Caps%2C262&sr=8-1
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IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/
Phone: 916-939-5000
Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]
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