Episodes
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What happens when the person you turn to for help is the one committing the crime? We uncover the shocking story of Nakeisha Hall, an IRS employee who masterminded a $400,000 tax fraud operation. Instead of helping taxpayers reclaim their stolen identities, Hall used her position to steal personal information of taxpayers and file fraudulent returns, funneling them into her pocket.
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes, and this case is a reminder that vigilance is critical—even when you believe you are dealing with trusted institutions. We break down the rise and fall of Hall’s scheme and share advice on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
About the Show
Welcome to Season 3 of Nickel & Crime! Take a deep dive into today’s most devious scams, as we expose the psychological tactics and surprising methods used to drain thousands of victims of billions of dollars every year.
At a time when financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, we go behind the schemes to understand the often brilliant – and sometimes foolish – crooks at work, so you can stay alert and avoid becoming their next victim.
In season 3, Nickel & Crime returns with new mind-twisting stories… and something more. We’re also taking a peek behind the curtain to see how Early Warning helps keep the U.S. financial ecosystem healthy using technology that can stop these bad actors before they strike.
With more focus on what you need to know to spot a scam, alongside our signature immersive storytelling, Nickel & Crime is back to dissect the deception, for your protection.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is the award-winning financial true crime show brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Through unmatched network intelligence and partnerships with more than 2,500 bank and credit union brands, we increase access to financial services and products, and protect financial transactions. We are the company behind Zelle®, and PazeSM online checkout solution. To learn more about Early Warning, visit www.earlywarning.com.
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews.
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When almost everyone with a phone and an email address (that’s most of us) has confronted criminal attempts to steal their money, how does anyone avoid being scammed?
The law of averages means the more times a scammer tries, the better their chances of a home run. So they try…a lot. But for every pitch, there are also loads of strikes, and when it comes to learning how to protect yourself from scams, the stories of those near misses are as valuable as the big hits.
That’s why in this episode we're investigating the near-scam experiences of real people who paid attention to the warning signs, listened to their gut, and didn't get scammed.
About the Show
Welcome to Season 3 of Nickel & Crime! Take a deep dive into today’s most devious scams, as we expose the psychological tactics and surprising methods used to drain thousands of victims of billions of dollars every year.
At a time when financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, we go behind the schemes to understand the often brilliant – and sometimes foolish – crooks at work, so you can stay alert and avoid becoming their next victim.
In season 3, Nickel & Crime returns with new mind-twisting stories… and something more. We’re also taking a peek behind the curtain to see how Early Warning helps keep the U.S. financial ecosystem healthy using technology that can stop these bad actors before they strike.
With more focus on what you need to know to spot a scam, alongside our signature immersive storytelling, Nickel & Crime is back to dissect the deception, for your protection.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is the award-winning financial true crime show brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Through unmatched network intelligence and partnerships with more than 2,500 bank and credit union brands, we increase access to financial services and products, and protect financial transactions. We are the company behind Zelle®, and PazeSM online checkout solution. To learn more about Early Warning, visit www.earlywarning.com.
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews.
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Missing episodes?
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In November, the award-winning Nickel & Crime returns with season 3! We're going deep into today’s most devious scams, as we expose the psychological tactics and surprising ways that thousands of victims are drained of billions of dollars every year.
At a time when financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, Nickel & Crime goes behind the schemes to understand the often brilliant – and sometimes foolish – crooks at work, so you can stay alert and avoid becoming their next victim.
In season 3, Nickel & Crime returns with new mind-twisting stories – and something more. We’re also taking a peek behind the curtain to see how Early Warning helps keep the U.S. financial ecosystem healthy using technology that can stop these bad actors before they strike.
With more focus on what you need to know to spot a scam, alongside our signature immersive storytelling, Nickel & Crime is back to dissect the deception, for your protection.
About the Show
Winner of two Signal Awards and two W3 Awards, Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products, and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews.
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How do they do it? That’s what we really wanted to dive into as we close out season two of Nickel and Crime (don’t worry, we’ll be back with season three very soon!). Because if there is one thing we know scammers excel at, it’s the skillful manipulation of human emotions to turn even the smartest among us into vulnerable prey.
In this episode, we’re looking back at the pyramid schemes, tech takeovers, deep fakes, good old fashioned analogue check-fraud, and more to examine how scammers exploit their victims’ deepest fears. We’re dissecting the common tactics and psychological swindles of fraudsters and scammers, and the ways they use stories, trust, and tech to hold a person hostage… because knowledge is power when it comes to avoiding becoming the next victim.
Yes, this is our final episode for season two, but we'll be back after a short break with more exploration into the brains of brazen financial criminals, so you can always stay one step ahead.
About the Show
Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all. From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at [email protected]
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How could an attempt to sell a timeshare property result in a loss of more than half a million dollars before the property is even sold? Unfortunately, for one victim of the “Planet Travel” Mexican timeshare scam, that’s exactly what happened. And they weren’t alone. This scheme defrauded over 100 victims across the US, Canada, and South America, with total losses exceeding 10 million dollars. For victims of this scam, what was supposed to be their dream vacation property turned into a nightmare that siphoned their savings and left them devastated.
Wouldn’t we all want to spend more time on vacation if we could? Taking in the sea breeze as waves lap against the sand, sipping margaritas while making lasting memories with family, friends, and loved ones? This idyllic vision is what initially draws timeshare buyers. But for a variety of reasons, many timeshare owners find they aren’t utilizing the benefits and want to sell. That's the moment when the “Planet Travel” scammers swoop in.
In this episode, we dive into the sophisticated organization behind this scheme and the mechanics of how it works—from the initial cold calls to relentless demands for additional fees. We provide a window into how they pulled it off, and the missteps they took that eventually led to arrests. This story is a reminder of the importance of vigilance and skepticism when encountering too-good-to-be-true offers.
About the Show
Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, we go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.
Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing.
From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at [email protected]
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In a world where the lines between reality and fiction increasingly blur, how can we discern truth from lies? This episode dives into the realm of deepfake technology—a sophisticated tool that manipulates audio and video to create alarmingly realistic impersonations. From a deceptive video call that cost a company $25 million, to cunning celebrity-endorsed crypto scams, deepfakes are the new frontier for financial fraudsters aiming to siphon vast sums of money.
We explore the minds of criminals by wielding the very tools they use. To demonstrate the ease and effectiveness of this technology, we'll create a deepfake of our own host, Deb Caron. Throughout the episode, we’ll also pinpoint the subtle clues that can help you identify these fakes.
As we navigate the rapid evolution of deepfake technology, we confront the ongoing battle between law enforcement and scammers. The race is on, with tools to create deepfakes advancing swiftly against emerging technologies developed to detect and counteract them. This episode is a stark reminder that in today's digital age, seeing shouldn't always be believing.
About the Show
Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.
Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing.
From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at [email protected]
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How does your phone number secretly unlock a vault to all your savings? For criminals with the right information and a lot of hubris, it’s surprisingly simple. In this episode, we’re telling the story of SIM-swapping: the theft of mobile phone numbers which hold the key to all of our data, and for a lot of us, all of our money.
For so many people, a mobile phone is one of the most important belongings we have. It’s almost like a second brain: a phone is how we connect to work, family and friends, it’s an assistant, a map, a creative tool, and it’s the key to a flood of personal information. If your phone goes missing, it’s annoying, but it’s replaceable. Except, what if your phone doesn’t go missing, but your phone number does? That’s when everything you do online - including banking and investments - can become vulnerable to hackers looking for big payouts.
This is the tale of the first-ever convicted SIM-swapper, a young college student named Joel Ortiz who stole over 7 million dollars worth of cryptocurrency, and invaded the lives of more than 40 victims, all through their phone numbers. It’s also the story of Joel’s co-conspirators, a group of young hackers that called themselves The Community, and their victims who suffered devastating, life-changing losses. At a time when mobile phones are the skeleton key to our lives, sim swapping is a crime that everyone needs to learn more about.
About the Show
Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.
Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing.
From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at [email protected]
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Each week on Nickel & Crime we bring you juicy stories of financial crime, but behind the scenes here at Early Warning we’re also working tirelessly to prevent it. In this episode, we explore the pivotal role of the National Shared DatabaseSM (NSD). Join us as we sit down with Maria Moynihan, Senior Director of Product Management, as she unveils how the NSD isn't just a repository of data—it acts as dynamic shield that prevents financial fraud before it can strike.
For most of us, financial transactions are a daily routine, as mundane as they are necessary. Yet, in the background, a complex battle against fraud is constantly being waged. Maria explains how the National Shared DatabaseSM not only tracks anomalies but also fortifies the financial ecosystem against potential threats. By pooling resources and data across various institutions, Early Warning® harnesses collective intelligence to enhance security and trust, making it a formidable opponent against the wiles of modern-day fraudsters.
But what happens when a fraudster slips through the initial defenses? Maria discusses how sophisticated algorithms and data analytics can discern the subtlest signs of fraud, ensuring that even the most cleverly disguised perpetrator is unmasked. Beyond its defensive capabilities, the NSD also enhances the user experience for legitimate customers, allowing them to engage with financial services smoothly and securely. This episode not only explores the technicalities of combating fraud but also highlights the human impact of the Early Warning® mission—to safeguard personal fortunes and maintain the integrity of the financial system.
About the Show
Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.
Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing.
From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
About Early Warning®
Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at [email protected]
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How can the mundane act of mailing a check turn into a half-million dollar heist? In Milwaukee, a group that allegedly referred to themselves as the Scamily mastered this dark art, engaging in a check-washing scheme that preyed on the unsuspecting. This episode dives into these criminals' shocking exploits as they manipulated and erased details on stolen checks to funnel money into their criminal coffers.
These criminals were so brazen in their exploits that they created branded clothing to flaunt the Scamily name and brag about their exploits on social media. Among the victims of this scheme was a cancer patient whose $58 check for medical bills morphed into a fraudulent $200 payout to strangers. Traditional checks—seemingly relics in our digital age—remain vital and, unfortunately, vulnerable. The episode reveals how this gang operated, from the initial theft of mail using stolen arrow keys to the sophisticated laundering of checks, using chemicals to wash and rewrite them for vast sums.
But every scheme has its cracks. Law enforcement's breakthrough came with an accumulation of evidence, leading to dramatic raids and the eventual arrest of the Scamily members. This story isn't just about the cunning tactics of a criminal gang; it's a cautionary tale of how old-school fraud techniques are evolving and persisting.
About the Show
Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.
Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing.
From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at [email protected]
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How do you convince a complete stranger to hand over their entire life savings in a couple of hours over the phone? With a few pieces of personal information, a fake government identity, a terrifying story, and a lot of confidence. It’s how skilled con artists have been able to drain billions of dollars from otherwise rational victims across the US, with what experts are calling imposter scams.
In this episode we examine the reality-twisting, psychological trickery of this particularly cruel form of fraud. We’re telling the true stories of Linda Khandro, and Charlotte Cowles, two smart, well-educated people who got wrapped up in the lies of some incredibly adept scammers and handed over hundreds of thousands of dollars. Linda is a college professor who lost her entire life savings during her four-month ordeal of being regularly contacted by con artists. Charlotte was under the spell of several scammers for one afternoon and lost $50,000.
In depth imposter scams like these hinge on isolation, false identities, and sucking the victim into a made-up world, using a sophisticated string of deceptions designed to bewilder even the savviest of victims. Charlotte and Linda are sensible people just like you, who were sure something like this would never happen to them, until it did.
About the Show
Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.
Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing.
From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at [email protected]
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How do you exploit the deep love grandparents have for their grandchildren for financial gain? In a heart-wrenching deception known as a "grandparent scam," impostors pose as grandchildren and other characters to trick seniors into handing over large sums of money. Federal authorities recently uncovered a criminal network that preyed on the elderly across the United States, swindling more than 2 million dollars from over 70 victims. Key figures in this elaborate scheme, Timothy Ingram and Anajah Gifford, manipulated seniors by leveraging their fear and familial love in a ruthless bid for wealth.
In this notorious case, the emotional and financial impact on victims was significant, including the story of J.D., an elderly woman from Oceanside, California. She lost over $100,000 in May 2020 after receiving a distressing call from someone impersonating her granddaughter, urgently requesting bail money for a car accident. The scammers, skilled in emotional manipulation, posed as attorneys, couriers, and more, creating a facade of legitimacy. They enforced secrecy through fabricated legal constraints like gag orders, further isolating their victims and complicating their plight.
This is a gripping tale of deception that unravels how these fraudsters exploit the trust and love inherent in families. We’ll learn how federal agents finally brought down this cruel network. In these heart-wrenching financial schemes where every phone call could be a trap, we’ll share how to protect you and your family from becoming the next victims of these devastating frauds.
About the Show
Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.
Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing.
From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at [email protected]
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How do you con some of the world’s biggest companies for almost a billion dollars? Sell them on a novel renewable energy idea, promise impossibly good tax credits, and use investors millions to keep up appearances. Does it matter if the product works…or even exists? Not really.
In this episode, we dive into the unbelievable true story of a down-and-out mechanic who master-minded a billion-dollar fraud. Back in 2008, Jeff Carpoff, a man with a past that precedes him, had just lost his shady car parts business. But after a short stint selling solar panels, he came up with something that would shake up the renewables industry: a mobile solar generator. With a clever but poorly engineered prototype, a bit of fast talk, and a lot of liberty with tax credits, DC Solar was born. Jeff’s rough solar panel design would morph into a rapidly growing, million-dollar deal machine…with a lot of tracks to cover up.
Join us for a tale of wire fraud, money laundering, and a well-crafted Ponzi scheme. It’s the story of a slippery guy who loved NASCAR, chewing tobacco, and gas-guzzling cars; the guy who sauntered through his office with shopping bags stuffed with cash, as he built a massive new factory for products that weren’t actually being manufactured. The same guy who found his way into the hip and burgeoning world of clean energy, where things got very, very messy.
About the Show
Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.
Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing.
From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
About Early Warning
Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at [email protected]
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Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk.
In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.
Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing.
From identity theft to phishing scams, to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way.
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Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.
Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/
What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews.
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Let’s dive into the wild story of several elderly individuals’ trust being shattered after choosing ‘A Superior Option' for care and financial assistance. With a cast of characters so morally vapid it even includes a lawyer who used her knowledge of elder law to exploit those she swore to protect, this episode is one you’ll wish wasn’t based in reality. The alleged swindled $2.7 million to build themselves a luxurious lifestyle that robbed 12 seniors of their life savings and left them depleted in the last few years of their lives.
This episode also includes an interview with fraud expert, Kelly Paxton of pinkcollarcrime.com, recorded live at Money 20/20 in Las Vegas, where we discuss strategies and tips for preventing you and your loved ones from becoming victims of predatory fraudsters. You don’t want to miss this valuable episode!
Early Warning
For over 30 years, Early Warning® has been at the forefront of bank intelligence, fraud mitigation and digital payment technologies. The company has evolved quite a bit over the past few decades, but one thing remains the same: We are continuously innovating to move banking forward.
Nickel and Crime Podcast | Early Warning
He’s Changing The Game by Darren-Curtis | https://soundcloud.com/desperate-measurez
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US
#fintech #truecrime #fraudprevention #gaurdianshipfraud #pinkcollarcrime
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Move over catfishing because your nefarious cousin pig butchering just upped the ante. In this episode, we’re going to dive into the latest ‘trend’ in scams where the ring of fire gets bigger, and victims don’t just get burned by love. They often see their entire life savings, and more go up in smoke. It’s an eye-opening look at one woman’s painful story of love and loss, with victims becoming victims in a torrid web of organized crime that ensnares people from both sides with the promise of a better future that ultimately ends up being quite the opposite.
Nickel and Crime Podcast | Early Warning
He’s Changing The Game by Darren-Curtis | https://soundcloud.com/desperate-measurez
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US
#fintech #truecrime #fraudprevention
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In 2021, A 74-year-old Washington veteran was sentenced to 25 months in prison for stealing his brother’s identity and collecting his disability checks for more than 30 years. Plot twist: the brother was reported missing in 1989 and what happened to him remains a mystery.
Nickel and Crime Podcast | Early Warning
He’s Changing The Game by Darren-Curtis | https://soundcloud.com/desperate-measurez
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US
#fintech #truecrime #fraudprevention
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A dual citizen recruits a money mule to play with the hearts of many via online datingand swindle more than $5 million.
Nickel and Crime Podcast | Early Warning
He’s Changing The Game by Darren-Curtis | https://soundcloud.com/desperate-measurez Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US
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An executive at a religious financial institution is tempted to live a double life: empower the customers wanting to find their purpose or steal from the institution that helps them do so. A story of embezzlement, deceit and fraud.
Nickel and Crime Podcast | Early Warning
He’s Changing The Game by Darren-Curtis | https://soundcloud.com/desperate-measurez Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US
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A computer consultant sells his list of more than 700 synthetic identities to two Florida men to steal millions from COVID-19 relief programs.
Nickel and Crime Podcast | Early Warning
He’s Changing The Game by Darren-Curtis | https://soundcloud.com/desperate-measurez Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US
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A Texas car and motorsports entrepreneur orchestrates a scheme to check kite $114 million, fooling investors and his business partner that he’s running a thriving business.
Nickel and Crime Podcast | Early Warning
He’s Changing The Game by Darren-Curtis | https://soundcloud.com/desperate-measurez. Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US
