Podcasts · True Crime · Society & Culture

The Perfect Scam

AARP

300 episodes

AARP's weekly podcast The Perfect ScamSM tells the stories of people who find themselves the target of a scam. Host Bob Sullivan introduces listeners to those who have experienced scams firsthand, as well as professional con artists and leading experts who pull back the curtain on how scammers operate.

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. Archive Episode: The Virtual Kidnapping of a Gymnast

    · 36 min · Bonus

    When Sheratan Johnson receives a call from an unknown number, she's startled to hear the man on the other end of the line claim he's kidnapped her daughter from gymnastics class. Hearing her daughter's screams,…

  2. Bad Neighbor: The Man Who Defrauded a Small Town, Part 2

    · 46 min · Episode 270

    In part two, residents of the upstate New York hamlet of Hamilton learn of a financial scandal that touches nearly every corner of the community. Burt Marshall offers investment accounts that promise 8% interest, and…

  3. Bad Neighbor: The Man Who Defrauded a Small Town, Part 1

    · 30 min · Episode 269

    In the charming small town of Hamilton, New York, home of Colgate University, Burt Marshall is a well-known figure. He prepares taxes and sells insurance to many residents, sponsors local youth sports teams, and is…

  4. Archive Episode: How Scammers Could Sell Your Land (Without You Knowing)

    · 45 min · Bonus

    In this 2024 episode, Daniel no longer lives in his hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut, but he still owns a plot of land that was essentially his childhood backyard. When he returns to visit a sick friend, he is…

  5. 70th Birthday Ruined by a Jury Duty Scam

    · 36 min · Episode 268

    On Gale's 70th birthday, she is just finishing her shift at work and looking forward to a special dinner with her husband, when the celebration is suddenly cut short. Among the birthday messages she has received is a…

  6. Realtor's Identity Stolen to Defraud Renters

    · 43 min · Episode 267

    Daniel is a New Orleans firefighter starting a second career as a realtor. Before he even gets his first listing, he discovers that someone has stolen his identity and is setting up dozens of property showings.…

  7. $1.3 Million Fake Investigation Scam

    · 55 min · Episode 266

    Larry and Barbara have issues with their Amazon account, so they welcome a call from "Amazon" customer service. They learn that their personal information has been compromised and used in a money-laundering scheme. To…

  8. Archive Episode: A Reality TV Star's Telemarketing Scheme

    · 45 min · Bonus

    In this 2023 episode, Penny takes an online training course in social media marketing, hoping to build her hobby into a business. After this initial small investment, she is flooded with calls from companies selling…

  9. Frequent Flier Lands in a $12,000 Scam

    · 46 min · Episode 265

    David is a seasoned traveler who has visited over 30 countries. He and his wife are looking forward to a trip to Budapest when he receives an email from Lufthansa about a scheduling change. Hoping to rebook their…

  10. Phony Publisher Promises Bestsellers

    · 32 min · Episode 264

    Writing is Barbara's retirement hobby and her passion. She has several self-published books, but she dreams of her stories reaching a wider audience. So when a company called PageTurner contacts her with exciting plans…

  11. How One Family Stopped a Crypto Romance Scam

    · 52 min · Episode 263

    A late-night call from their son Brian has Barry and Joan concerned. Brian sounds panicked and says he urgently needs $280,000. They do not have that kind of money available, and Barry, a trained counselor, immediately…

  12. Archive Episode: FBI and Grandmother Bring Down Crime Ring, Part 2

    · 43 min · Bonus

    In Part 2 of this 2023 episode, criminals are running the grandparent scam all over the San Diego area. Often crimes like this go unsolved, but FBI agent Brady Finta and his law enforcement partners believe this…

  13. Archive Episode: FBI and Grandmother Bring Down Crime Ring, Part 1

    · 26 min · Bonus

    In this 2023 episode, when Susan gets a frantic call from her "grandson" saying he's been in a terrible accident, she doesn't waste any time. She rushes to get him the $9,000 he requested for legal fees, but as soon as…

  14. Friend Group Falls Victim to Large Job Scam

    · 46 min · Episode 262

    Eunice, a busy mom of four, discovers what appears to be the perfect work-from-home job opportunity with flexible hours and the chance to make some extra income for her family. She must make a small initial investment,…

  15. A Hawaii News Icon and a Sweepstakes Scam

    · 55 min · Episode 261

    Linda Coble is retired from a storied career as Hawaii's first female news anchor, but she stays active in her community through charity work. So when she receives a phone call informing her that she has won a $5…

  16. Scam Targets AT&T Customers to Steal Cellphones

    · 48 min · Episode 260

    After a long day as a school bus driver, Nate checks his voicemail and finds a message from "AT&T" offering a discounted rate and a new phone. He has been a loyal customer and is looking for ways to lower his expenses,…

  17. A Pilot's Stolen Identity Leaves a Trail of Broken Hearts, Part 2

    · 47 min · Episode 259

    In part 2, nearly a decade after Pat received the first phone call from a woman believing to be in a relationship with him, he continues to receive regular cards, gifts, calls and visits from scam victims. Criminals…

  18. A Pilot's Stolen Identity Leaves a Trail of Broken Hearts, Part 1

    · 35 min · Episode 258

    When Pam decides it's time to find love again, she signs up for a dating site and soon meets "Pat." He's charming and very kind; they hit it off right away. "Pat" works overseas and can't tell Pam much about his…

  19. Archive Episode: Million Dollar Movie Ponzi Scheme, Part 2

    · 23 min · Bonus

    Beloved Vermont children's entertainer-turned-filmmaker Mac Parker has been raising funds for his film Birth of Innocence for nearly a decade. The film has yet to be completed, and what investors were promised — a…

  20. Archive Episode: Million Dollar Movie Ponzi Scheme, Part 1

    · 19 min · Bonus

    Malcom "Mac" Parker aspires to be a filmmaker. In Vermont, Mac is known as a beloved children's entertainer, appearing on public television and performing around the state. Mac is so well respected in his community…

  21. Scammers Use AI to Make Lost Pet Scams More Believable

    · 45 min · Episode 257

    Bill and Allison are devoted to their dogs, so when they discover their 11-year-old beagle mix Archer missing one evening, they are distraught. They spend hours searching the neighborhood and start putting out alerts…

  22. LA Fire Survivor Faces PayPal Impostor Scam

    · 55 min

    After escaping the Palisades fire in January of 2025, Ellen doesn't know if she and her husband Steve will have a home to return to. Miraculously, their house is still standing, but it needs extensive cleaning and…

  23. Crossed Wires: Utility Scams Target Consumers

    · 51 min · Episode 255

    Fed up with the rising cost of electricity, Steve shops around and switches to a new provider in his Boston neighborhood. The process is simple, and Steve thinks the matter is settled until a week later, when he…

  24. Vermont Woman Recoups $1.3M 4.5 Years After a Scam

    · 55 min · Episode 254

    Jeanette moves back to Vermont, expecting a peaceful retirement in a beloved community, but a tech support scam upends her life. She reaches out to her local police, who advise her to report the incident to the FBI.…

  25. Bonus: Meet the Fraud Fighters Taking on Crypto Kiosk Scams

    · 47 min · Bonus

    In this bonus episode, Bob meets some Fraud Fighters working to make their Nebraska community a little bit safer from scammers. When Omaha passes a city ordinance requiring all crypto kiosks to display a scam warning,…

  26. Deepfake Doctors: AI-Generated Medical Ad Scams

    · 51 min · Episode 253

    Dr. Maurice Sholas, a pediatric rehabilitation specialist based in New Orleans, discovers that his likeness is being used in an ad when a friend sends him a TikTok clip that looks convincingly like him. It's an…

  27. California Woman Warns of Facebook Job Scam

    · 54 min · Episode 252

    After taking a break from her tech career to care for her aging mother, Dawn is reentering the workforce in her mid-50s, and she isn't having much luck. She takes a chance on an offer for a new kind of job at…

  28. Bonus: Avoiding Tax Scams With Michelle Singletary

    · 37 min · Bonus

    It's tax time, and that means it's also tax scam season. The Federal Trade Commission warns about a recent surge in fake IRS calls to taxpayers. Personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary joins host Bob Sullivan to…

  29. The Science of Romance Scams

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 251

    When Anola returns home from a picture-perfect trip to France, she finds an unexpected flirtation with a man who reaches out to her on LinkedIn. He showers her with love and attention, and over time, he steals…

  30. Check Washing Scam Steals Thousands From Rhode Island Couple

    · 52 min · Episode 250

    Richy and Terri send a check to their son and daughter-in-law for their anniversary, but it never arrives. After a tough year of medical issues and the death of a close friend, they open a bank statement to see that…

  31. Inside a Gold Coin Scam Sting

    · 48 min · Episode 249

    When Brian receives an email from "PayPal," he thinks it must be the refund he's been waiting for, but he is instead drawn into a scam that has him running all over town feeding money into crypto kiosks and exchanging…

  32. SIM Swap Scam Leads to $125,000 Theft

    · 43 min · Episode 248

    Patricia is enjoying a quiet night babysitting when she discovers that her phone has no service. When she switches to Wi-Fi, a sudden barrage of notifications shows that someone is moving money out of her accounts.…

  33. Gas Station Employee Stops a Crypto Kiosk Scam

    · 48 min · Episode 247

    Eric's day-to-day interactions at the gas station where he works have taught him to recognize when something isn't quite right with one of his customers. He's also aware that the crypto kiosk in the store is a tool…

  34. $1 Million Theft: Tech Scam Leaves Teacher Shaken

    · 1 h 03 min · Episode 246

    Joyce is a retired teacher who works part-time with special needs kids. She's recently divorced after a long marriage, facing a cancer scare, and acting as the primary caregiver for her 96-year-old mother. With all of…

  35. Double Scam: Author Caught in Recovery Scheme After Crypto Dating Fraud

    · 57 min · Episode 245

    Josh loves his job as a full-time novelist, but writing and working from home don't give him many opportunities to meet people. So he decides to try a dating site and connects with a woman named Hannah. After months of…

  36. A $7.5 Million Lie: PCH Sweepstakes Scam Targets Veteran

    · 48 min · Episode 244

    When Manny, an Air Force veteran living in Las Vegas, loses his wife of 62 years, he turns to playing Publishers Clearing House online games to help ease his loneliness. He is thrilled when, one day, he receives a call…

  37. Don't Believe Your Eyes: An AI-Powered Romance Scam

    · 49 min · Episode 243

    David is a retiree who remains active in his Florida community, but he would like to have someone to share his life with. When an Indiana woman named Bonnie strikes up a friendship with David on Facebook, he is…

  38. Archive Episode: Job Hunting? Look Out for These Scams

    · 43 min · Bonus

    Employment scams are one of the fastest growing types of fraud. The recent surge can be traced to several post-pandemic factors that make these crimes even easier for criminals. In this episode, we will hear from a job…

  39. Archive Episode: Phone Scams and the Human Trafficking Connection

    · 51 min · Bonus

    Have you ever thought about who might be on the other end of those scam calls and messages we all receive? The answer could be far more sinister than you might imagine. The "scammer" may also be a victim of human…

  40. Archive Episode: Recent MBA Wakes Up From Dream Work-From-Home Job

    · 53 min · Bonus

    Remote work, which was a necessity for many during the pandemic, is now commonplace. While it's hard to beat the commute, criminals are paying close attention to this trend too. In this episode, a recent MBA graduate…

  41. Bonus: AARP's Guide to Avoiding Holiday Scams

    · 29 min · Bonus

    Amy Nofziger, Sr. Director of Victim Support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network™, stops by The Perfect Scam to discuss some new variations on old scams and the tactics criminals are using to exploit our vulnerabilities…

  42. Scam Interception: NYPD Detective Tackles NFL Ticket Fraud

    · 53 min · Episode 242

    Hilarie, a dedicated Philadelphia sports fan, plans a weekend doubleheader to attend both a Phillies and an Eagles game with a friend. After successfully purchasing Phillies tickets through a Facebook resale group, she…

  43. Scam Declined: How Bank Employees Stopped a Scam

    · 54 min · Episode 241

    A call from someone claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission sends Linda on a quest to transfer $25,000, believing that she is assisting them in catching a criminal. The caller warns her not to tell anyone what…

  44. Archive Episode: Brooke Astor, Famous Socialite Robbed

    · 22 min · Bonus

    A prominent philanthropist and the center of New York society, Brooke Astor lived a tumultuous yet glamorous life. Left a fortune by her third husband, Vincent Astor, Brooke planned to live out her later years at her…

  45. Criminals Threaten Jail Time in Jury Duty Scam

    · 52 min · Episode 240

    Jana always tries to do the right thing, so when she receives a call from the sheriff's office stating that she missed jury duty, she panics. She thinks back to studying for her American citizenship exam and learning…

  46. Thieves Drain Crypto Wallets in Sophisticated Phishing Scam

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 239

    After several years of investing in crypto, Glen has built up a sizeable nest egg. The money means security and the ability to buy a home. One day, when trying to log in to Coinbase, he realizes that his account is…

  47. From Puppies to Heartbreak: How a Pet Scam Targets One Man's Home

    · 50 min · Episode 238

    When a couple pulls up to Gene's North Carolina home looking for their beagle puppy, he is not sure what to make of it. But soon, a steady stream of would-be pet owners arriving in the following days and weeks makes it…

  48. This Job Scam is Suddenly Everywhere

    · 56 min · Episode 237

    Dorothy is looking for a part-time job that will enable her to work from home and accommodate her medical disability. After applying for numerous jobs and posting her résumé online, she receives a message about an app…

  49. North Korean "Laptop Farm" Scams Target American Companies

    · 58 min · Episode 236

    Wall Street Journal reporter Robert McMillan and FBI agent Joe Hooper recount the story of Christina Chapman, a Minnesota woman who is drawn into the world of laptop farming. She is struggling to make ends meet, living…

  50. Job Seekers Targeted in Water Filtration Job Scam, Part 2

    · 40 min · Episode 235

    In part 2, victims of a nationwide fraud scheme join forces on a Facebook group and share their stories with investigative journalist Lou Raguse of KARE in Minneapolis. Someone is selling water purification devices to…

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