Episodes
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This episode offers an unprecedented look into the life of the 'Timepiece Gentleman' Ponzi schemer, Anthony Farrar, whose love for luxury watches spiraled into a deceitful web of lies, culminating in a rare and candid confession.
If you want to hear more wild Ponzi stories, subscribe to The Ponzi Playbook hosted by me, Javier Leiva, and my buddy Neal McTighe.
SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/M02YhRa5Iq
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Also, listen to Javier's interview on The Film Nuts podcast.
Subscribe to Film Nuts Podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
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In today's episode, we revisit the captivating story of Seafarer Exploration and its quest to unearth a 300-year-old treasure buried beneath the ocean waves off Florida's coast. Join us as we delve into the tale of Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Seafarer Exploration, and his fateful encounter with Dr. Michael Torres, a man whose promises and credentials were as deep as the ocean itself. What begins as a hopeful journey into the past, seeking lost treasures of a Spanish galleon quickly spirals into a lawsuit and allegations of fraud. This rebroadcast from our previous series shines a light on the treasure hunters, the technology they dream of, and the deception that lurks beneath the surface.
Guest Speakers:
Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Seafarer Exploration
Experts in maritime archaeology and treasure hunting
Legal analysts breaking down the lawsuit against Michael Torres
Listen to the Entire Series:
Don't miss out on the full adventure of treachery, technology, and sunken treasures. Click on the links below to listen to the entire series and explore the mystery surrounding Florida's Treasure Coast.
Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6S0XjD4QyyXvuFBh1dOyVY?si=c55b75b8eff4478e
Part 3: https://open.spotify.com/episode/19xvUTQQDILhRLrrtiB7Dk?si=df330a9fd2a54c3a
Part 4: https://open.spotify.com/episode/69e2SjjyDLJ3CmbU8mfpvn?si=06e9742270b749d4
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Missing episodes?
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I recently spoke at the Triangle Content Creators Meetup in Raleigh, NC, about using OSINT techniques to locate and research your next guest. OSINT stands for Open Source Intelligence. As a journalist, I've teamed up with brilliant hackers like Mishaal Khan and Michael Bazzell to uncover new information about my subjects.
In this talk, I explain how Alan Logan and I exposed Frank Abagnale and how Mishaal Khan and I investigated the Stalker case. I thought you might find this interesting.
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Previously on Pretend, we dived deep into the murky waters of academic fraud. Celebrity behavioral scientist Dan Ariely of Duke University, alongside Francesca Gino from Harvard and other distinguished behavioral scientists, embarked on a series of experiments with a noble aim: to enhance honesty among individuals.
Their investigation centered on whether positioning an honesty pledge at the top of a form, as opposed to the bottom, would discourage deceit. However, it emerged that two out of the three experiments underpinning the study were marred by fabricated data.
I interviewed Dan Ariely about these troubling allegations, but our conversation was cut short. I assumed that was the last time I would hear from him. Surprisingly, Ariely reached out, proposing a second interview to directly address what he termed as "false accusations" on my podcast. He stipulated, "If you intend to add these false accusations to the podcast, maybe it's best to have another session and get my answers on the record, but I will ask you to promise me not to edit these. And to give my answers exactly as I present them. If you're up for this, let's schedule a sum If you're up for this, let's schedule something." And so, I agreed.
You're going to listen to my follow-up interview with Dan Ariely. I will, however, interject here and there to add context. But rest assured, every moment of our 43-minute exchange will be presented. I'll upload the raw, unedited versions of both interviews on Patreon and Pretend Plus, accessible for free. You don't need a subscription to tune in.
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Everything we believe about what drives us to be honest might be a lie.
A scandal rocks the behavioral science world, casting shadows over renowned researcher Dan Ariely and the integrity of academic research on honesty.
We all tell lies—it's a human thing. But can we modify behaviors to coax people into doing the right thing? Let's delve into what the research indicates. After all, facts and numbers don't lie, and academic researchers shouldn't lie either, right? But what happens when these so-called truth experts, the Ivy League researchers who literally wrote the book on dishonesty, are accused of lying and manipulating data?
Who fact-checks the truth-tellers?
Science stands as our final bastion of objectivity. However, the individuals behind the studies we're discussing are people. And people make mistakes. But what happens when errors are set aside and data is deliberately fabricated to create an illusion of truth? The consequences could be dire, undermining our trust in everything we hear or read.
Today's story recaps a major scandal in behavioral science, one that's been spotlighted by The New Yorker, The Atlantic, NPR, and podcasts like Freakonomics and Planet Money. Each outlet brought attention to different aspects of the story, but they all missed one critical voice—Dan Ariely, a professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University. In a rare interview, I confronted Ariely about the studies in question, and to my surprise, he answered all of my questions.
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I discovered a little-known realm of con artists within the legal system. I found story after story of people impersonating attorneys, prosecutors, and even judges. One woman hacked into the court system and dropped the charges against her.
Get early and ad-free episodes:
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio
PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985
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Cybercrime writer Eileen Ormsby delves into the chilling world of the BESA Mafia, a purported online hitman service. What unfolds is a story of modern folklore, a sophisticated scam targeting those with the darkest intentions, and a relentless pursuit of exposing the world of online assassinations-for-hire in the digital age.
Today's episode was a partnership with the podcast HACKED. HACKED is hosted by Jordan & Scott. They explore the strange tales of hacking, internet grifters, cybersecurity and tech.
Subscribe to HACKED wherever you listen to pods:
RSS: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/hackedpodcast
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/hacked-podcast/id1049420219
Google: https://play.google.com/music/m/I5tmfgninpb6lkzqs6rzljnybby
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/21zZfOy7VCSIIWlJ64DElv
Stitcher: https://stitcher.com/podcast/sticks-stones/hacked
Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/hacked
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Think all forensic evidence is foolproof? You'd be surprised. In our latest bonus episode of PRETEND, we're taking a deep dive into the murky world of forensic science with M. Chris Fabricant from the Innocence Project. We're talking about how some methods, like bite mark analysis and cadaver dogs, might not be as reliable as you’d think. It's a thought-provoking look at the challenges of separating solid science from shaky beliefs in our legal system.
Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System by M. Chris Fabricant: https://www.amazon.com/Science-American-Criminal-Justice-System/dp/1636140300
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Breaking News on the Stalker case.
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Dr. Arpad Vass touts his Quantum Oscillator, a contraption made of plywood and PVC pipe, as a revolutionary tool capable of locating missing persons' remains with 92% accuracy from up to 60 miles away, using just DNA from fingernail clippings.
In a desperate attempt to solve the cold case of Brandy Hall, a Florida firefighter gone missing, Hall's family turned to Dr. Vass and his device. Guided by the oscillator's dubious promise, they believed Brandy could be buried in a specific wooded area. In a fit of hope and despair, Brandy's mother resorted to using a makeshift shovel to dig for her daughter, embodying the heart-wrenching grip of grief and the seductive, yet misleading, appeal of pseudoscience. Ultimately, the search yielded nothing but a painful journey back to square one.
In today's episode, we discuss the science behind the Quantum Oscillator.
Watch the video of Dr. Vass and the Quantum Oscillator:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3DTrzYM-8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7332889990084578590?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7267660576023873067
YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/ub2kdJZ0JNQ?feature=share
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In today’s episode of Pretend, we're zeroing in on Dr. Arpad Vass's invention called the Quantum Oscillator—a device straight out of a sci-fi plot with the audacious promise of finding the lost with just a sliver of DNA. Imagine a gadget claiming to pinpoint your long-gone ancestors' graves or track down missing persons with a flicker of electromagnetic waves.
Dr. Vass claims that with a bit of your DNA, his Quantum Oscillator could lead him to grave sites with 92% accuracy from a distance as far as 60 miles. Sounds miraculous, right? But hold your horses—does this invention hold up under the scrutiny of science, or is it veering into the realm of pseudoscience?
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In "The Grave Detector," we delve into the enigmatic practice of using dowsing rods with a focus on the work of Dr. Arpard Vass, a forensic anthropologist renowned for his innovative methods in locating unmarked graves and human remains. The episode explores the traditional and modern uses of dowsing rods, often associated with finding water, treasures, and possibly ghosts. But most alarming of all, dowsing rods play a controversial role in police investigations and legal proceedings.
M. Chris Fabricant, Junk Science - https://a.co/d/cu4tn9m
Michael Hadsell, Peace River K9 Search and Rescue (PRSAR) - https://www.prsar.org/
Dr. Arpad Vass- http://forensicrecoveryservices.org/
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In "The High School Hoax," the latest episode of "PRETEND," we explore the true story of Shelby Hewitt, a 32-year-old woman who enrolled as a high school student in Boston.
What compels an adult to return to high school? How did this go unnoticed? Janelle, a 16-year-old classmate and friend of Shelby's, offers a unique window into this bizarre ruse.
See video of Shelby Hewitt:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C02ngXjsUh1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod/video/7312640020207242538
YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/xG-y0td3MkI?feature=share
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Dartanyon A. Williams (DAW) stole his parents’ identities at the age of 15.
Unfortunately, they weren’t his last victims. Dartanyon, who also goes
by DAW, claims he has stolen thousands of identities. So many that he’s
lost count. It’s rare to hear firsthand from an identity thief. In this
episode, Dartanyon
How to steal someone’s identity
How did he do it? He had many tactics. But the most proven technique
was paying off restaurant employees, car dealerships, and tax
preparation companies. These employees served as double agents. When no
one was looking, they would collect customers' social security numbers and
smuggle them to DAW. Today, DAW’s life of crime is behind him. He even ran for Congress for the U.S. House of Representatives.
How to protect your identity
These days, it’s just as easy to steal your identity from a breached
database. Everything an identity thief needs to steal your identity is
already online. What can you do to protect yourself?
Click here to see if your email has been involved in a breached database:
https://haveibeenpwned.com/
Freezing your credit and setting up a fraud alert
I’ve taken the extreme step of freezing my credit. It’s actually not
really that extreme. In fact, it’s quite easy. In this episode, you’ll
hear how simple it is to lock down your credit so that no one can assume
your identity.
Michael Bazzell, a privacy consultant, walks me through the credit freeze process. For more details, download his step-by-step guide.
Essentially, get a free credit report from one of the credit bureaus,
then ask them to freeze your credit. This way, no one can open a line
of credit under your name. If you ever need to unfreeze your credit,
it’s easy. Just unfreeze your credit by going online or with a quick
phone call.
Equifax
Online: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
Experian
Online: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
TransUnion
Online: https://service.transunion.com/dss/orderStep1_form.page
If you just stumbled on this page, start with part 1.
Michael Bazzell
To learn more about Michael Bazzell, check out his website IntelTechniques.com
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Peter Pan syndrome is when someone refuses to grow up.
It’s neither a disease nor a recognized mental disorder—it’s just a state of mind. Today, you’ll meet a man who became a fugitive to live in his very own Neverland.
Larry Douglas Jones is not your typical fugitive. He had a wife and three kids. He’s not a dangerous man. Larry just became overwhelmed with life and decided to run away.
This is a rebroadcast of a previous series about fugitives running from the law. In season 4 of PRETEND, we explore how abandoning your old identity leads to complications. How do these criminals assume a new identity? What strategies do they use to avoid getting caught?
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In today's Christmas episode, we delve into the story of David Ellisor, a man whose grand Christmas scheme left the city of Miami in disbelief. Ellisor, a real-life Grinch, planned to host "Christmas From Around the World," a supposed once-in-a-lifetime event promising the presence of ambassadors, live reindeer, and a spectacle of global traditions. But the event never happened. He collected the cash and made a run for it. This is a Christmas caper for the ages.
Plus, listeners tell their own Christmas con stories.
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! And I wish all of you a Happy New Year!
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The Stalker Saga Continues: Trial Back On for Tanya and Rick Fernandez
Hey there, avid followers of the "Stalker" series! You might recall my last update, where I mentioned Tanya and Rick Fernandez may have taken a plea deal. Well.... There was a bit of a mix-up: while the State of Arizona court website had the trial marked as "vacated," a peek into the Maricopa Superior Court website told a different story. It turns out they have a new trial date set for February 27, 2024.
So, what does this mean? Initially, I speculated that the couple might have struck a plea deal. It seemed like a plausible explanation at the time, considering the how their settlement conference ended. But, as it often turns out, the reality was a bit different. I'm here to set the record straight: the trial is very much back on!
But wait, there's more. I had one more conversation with Tanya Fernandez and her oldest son. To say it was enlightening would be an understatement. The conversation added one more clue into revealing the identity of the stalker.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the trial date. This case has been a roller coaster of developments, and I'm committed to keeping you all in the loop with every twist and turn.
Until then, keep your eyes peeled for more updates. The "Stalker" saga is far from over.
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So, I've got to tell you about this crazy rabbit hole I slipped into. It's about that bizarre olive lady from the Maury show. Remember her? Sally was freaked out by olives because they reminded her of, get this, dead people's eyes. Wild, right?
I always wondered, was Sally for real or just putting on a show for the cameras? This question sent me down a path that ended with me chatting with Anthony Freire, a guy who used to produce for Maury.
Man, the stuff I learned while putting together this episode! It’s like peeling back the curtain on daytime TV and finding a whole other world. Turns out, there's a ton of mind games and behind-the-scenes tricks that go into making these shows. Anthony spilled the beans on how they get people to react a certain way or amp up their emotions for the audience.
It's not just about Sally and her olive phobia. This episode digs into the bigger picture of how these TV shows mess with people's heads, both the guests and us viewers.
If you're into the psychology of TV shows or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, you've gotta check this out. It's not your average episode of PRETEND.
Can't wait to hear what you all think. Tune in, and let's get our minds blown together!
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Today on "PRETEND," we explore the unsettling world of red-collar criminals, as defined by Frank Perri. These are white-collar offenders who commit murder to hide their frauds. This episode takes a closer look at the motivations and warning signs of these dangerous individuals. They could be closer than you think: a friend, family member, or coworker.
We also investigate how male and female red-collar criminals differ in their methods and motivations. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in recognizing and possibly preventing future red-collar crimes.
Red Collar White Collar Crime: Corporate, Predatory and Violent Fraud Offenders by Frank Perri:
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Collar-White-Crime-Corporate/dp/B09BGLZ7XL
PRETEND Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pretendradio/
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Red Collar Killers: The Hidden Violence of White Collar Crimes
Can white-collar criminals be driven to murder?
In this episode of PRETEND, we explore 'Red Collar Criminals,' a term coined by attorney, CPA, and Certified Fraud Examiner Frank Perri. Perri defines red-collar criminals as white-collar offenders who turn to violence to hide their frauds.
We investigate the psychology and patterns common among these criminals, revealing how ordinary financial crimes can escalate into brutal acts of violence. By examining various cases, this episode paints a vivid picture of the dangerous and often unnoticed overlap between deceit and murder.
Red Collar White Collar Crime: Corporate, Predatory and Violent Fraud Offenders by Frank Perri:
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Collar-White-Crime-Corporate/dp/B09BGLZ7XL
PRETEND Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pretendradio/
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