Series Special: April Fools' Day Crimes Explored

from Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast · host Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins

April Fools' Day's notorious past includes pranks that turned sinister, dive into its history with Foul Play's special... Discover how a day famed for harmless antics also conceals dark tales of crime and deception intertwined with its history. Originally a day for joy and jest, times when tricks spiraled into mayhem reveal a darker side: crimes that broke the bounds of mere tomfoolery. This episode dissects how April Fools' Day has been a backdrop to schemes and scams that left surprising impacts in history. A closer look into pranks that went awry blends with stories of notorious crimes linked to this date, examining the blurred lines between fun and fraud. Expect narratives packed with surprising facts and little-known stories, painting a picture not just of pranks, but of a day when crime occasionally takes center stage. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypodOur Sponsors:* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What this episode covers

The first of April is widely regarded as an unofficial holiday reserved for pranks and hoaxes that seem too ridiculous to be believed yet are surprisingly enough to fool several hundreds of people. The pages of history are littered with such incidents, from claims of a flying saucer to news reports of a shocking theft. For decades now, individuals, and even, reputable organizations, have been trying to outdo each other with the craziest yet most believable tales. These may not always result in laughs, but they do make for pretty good stories! we'll dive into three of the strangest pranks to have ever been carried out on April Fools' Day. Given how outlandish they were, it's hard to believe that they managed to fool thousands of people across the world! Find us ⁠online.⁠Support the show by joining our Black Label to support the show and unlock exclusive benefits. You can join on ⁠Patreon⁠ and ⁠Apple Podcast Premium⁠.Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠. Join ⁠Shane's Facebook Group⁠. Hosted by ⁠Shane Waters⁠. Listen to his other crime podcast ⁠Mystery Inc⁠, or his history podcast ⁠Hometown History⁠! Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

NOW PLAYING

Series Special: April Fools' Day Crimes Explored

0:00 14:52

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

I'm ok

Mar 26, 2026 ·1m

REMIX: Why we over-shop and compulsively acquire, and how to stop, with Dr Jan Eppingstall

Jan 9, 2026 ·61m

REMIX: OCD and hoarding disorder with Jenna Overbaugh

Jan 2, 2026 ·47m

REMIX: Therapy and hoarding disorder - what are the options? With Dr Jan Eppingstall

Dec 26, 2025 ·78m

REMIX: ADHD and hoarding disorder with Professor Sharon Morein

Dec 21, 2025 ·46m

#207 13 actionable pieces of mental health advice from six former podcast guests

Dec 12, 2025 ·53m

Similar Podcasts

MG Show MG Show The MG Show, hosted by Jeffrey Pedersen and Shannon Townsend, is a leading alternative media platform dedicated to uncovering the truth behind today’s most pressing political issues. Launched in 2019, the show has grown exponentially, offering unfiltered insights, comprehensive research, and real-time analysis. With a commitment to independent journalism and factual integrity, the MG Show empowers its audience with knowledge and encourages active participation in the political discourse. Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Podcasting Astronomy Every Day of the Year French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast?

This episode is 14 minutes long.

When was this Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on February 24, 2021.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!