Scammer Stories

Send us Fan MailHeather Rovet thought she had finally found love when a charming handyman named "Jace" entered her life. Instead, she found herself trapped in a nightmare involving one of Canada's most notorious romance scammers.In this shocking episode of the Scammer Stories Podcast, Heather shares how a relationship that seemed normal slowly unraveled into a web of lies, manipulation, theft, and fear. Click HERE for a link to the documentary on her story.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe number one question I get in my email inbox is from adult children desperately trying to save a parent who is trapped in a romance scam. They’ve tried everything… begging, interventions, cutting off money, even taking control through power of attorney. And still, nothing seems to work.Over the years, I’ve heard countless theories. Do you hit them with tough love? Do you back off? Is there actually a right way to help someone who is emotionally attached to a scammer?The woman in this episode has a very different perspective… because she tried one approach and when it failed she tried the exact opposite.Jennifer Wallis is a financial advisor who now speaks publicly about romance scams after watching her own mother become a victim. In this episode, she shares the mistakes she made, the lessons she learned, and why changing the way she communicated may have helped save her relationship with her mother.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe woman in this story was scammed twice. Once by love and the other by hanging on to hope that she could get her money back. Then, one day federal investigators came calling. Anola Johnson says her life was just normal before the scam. Click HERE to check out Anola's podcast called Romance Scam Rebellion.Support the show

Send us Fan MailScammers aren’t always sitting behind a screen in some far away land. Sometimes they're bold enough to meet in person and integrate into your life to steal your money. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean they land behind bars. The law, and those investigating the crimes, haven’t caught up with the times. That gives the perpetrators time to go on to scam again and again.Click HERE to read a media article on the suspect.Click HERE to read the details from for U.S Securities and Exchange Commission.Support the show

Send us Fan MailMicheal Breinig is a married father of three who had a great life before scammers stole $2 million dollars. The thing is… he wasn’t even looking for anything. He wasn’t even on social media before his co-workers told him he needed to be online to follow what was happening with the election, politics and whatever else was happening in the world. Click HERE to order Michael's book.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWe usually hear from a survivor of a romance, or pig butchering scam, sprinkled with a sextortion case here and there because the human side of these stories connect with people’s emotions.  However, talking to the experts is just as important. We’ve heard from FBI agents, financial investigators, advocates and a therapist. Now we’re going to hear from a man who is tackling this nightmare from another angle. Al Pascual is the CEO and co-founder of Scamnetic, a company using technology and behavioral analysis to detect and prevent scams in real time. Click HERE to learn more about Scamnetic.You can reach the Scammer Stories Podcast by emailing [email protected] the show

Send us Fan Mail"Don" was married for 42 years, with a successful career, when his life was turned upside down by a single message on his Instagram. He hid his dark secret from his wife until one day he was forced to come clean AND found a way to fight back. Support the show

Send us Fan MailA romance scam victim ended up on the other end of an FBI investigation after losing about $500,000 in a pig butchering scam. Jennifer’s story spun out of control when the scammers threatened violence against her family members while she had hundreds of thousands of dollars from another survivor, unknowingly, sitting in her account. Jennifer ended up with police parked outside of her house.If you would like to be on the podcast, email April at [email protected] the show

Send us Fan MailYou like dogs? Do you have a passion for the elderly? This will break your heart.  Kate has agreed to let AARS use her face as the image in the education campaign. Support the show

Send us Fan MailScammers will find you everywhere. This romance scam survivor was able to pull himself out of poverty as a child and rise above it. Little did he know one of his biggest threats would come years later while he was building his real estate empire. Marquise thought he had found a fantastic new client and then... BOOM! He ended up on the other end of a pig butchering scam. Click HERE for his book Crypto Deception: A Survivors Guide to Avoiding ScamsSupport the show

Send us Fan MailYou may have seen the hit Netflix documentary. Now, hear the inside story from Attorney Scott Adrian who appears in the show. Adrian shares how he got creative in court to fight for justice for women who were losing hope. He also shares behind-the-scenes insights on building a case against romance scammers and what it was like to film for the show.Support the show

Send us Fan MailMair Smyth didn’t know who she was dealing with when she stole $100,000 from her “best friend.” Johnathan was a former TV journalist in Houston, Texas. His journalistic nose turned up a world of witchcraft and prostitution that would lead him all all over the world. Click on this https://johnathanwalton.com/Support the show

Send us Fan MailJerry had just lost the love of his life when he received an urgent message from Apple Cash. The "customer service representative" instructed Jerry to get $750,000 of his gold bars to deliver to an SUV that pulled up outside of his house. Once the scammers had that in their dirty little hands, they convinced him to retire so they could get his retirement.  Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe host of the Scammer Stories Podcast made it to Capitol Hill to share information and solutions to lawmakers, who are now leaning into the issue. This episode takes you through the process of how she was chosen and what it was like to sit in that spot.The other speakers on the panel were:Jilenne Gunther. National Director, AARP BankSafe Initiative. AARP. New York, NY.Joshua M. Bercu. Executive Director, Industry Traceback Group.Brady Finta. Founder and CEO. National Elder Fraud Coordination Center.Support the show

Send us Fan MailNate Cram talks about everything he did to try and convince his mother that she was talking to a scammer. He used to work in a sheriff's office... and you'd think if anyone could stop the scam, he could. Click HERE to watch Nate's mother on Social Catfish.Support the show

Send us Fan MailRenee thought her worst nightmare was the day she found out her mother had lung cancer. She had no idea that things were about to get so bad that she would have to worry about her own future.  Renee is in trouble. She was diagnosed with a debilitating disease as a child, and then multiple serious health setbacks as an adult. She depended on her mother a lot for her day-to -day care. Her future was left in question when her mother died and left her nothing.Click HERE to support Renee's GoFundMe.Support the show

Send us Fan MailTracey spends most of her time trying to help romance scam victims and their families end the nightmare. She talks to victim daily and she's seeing an alarming rise in sextortion cases related to romance scams.Click HERE to reach Tracey.Click HERE to join her Onlinesafe group.Click HERE to reach Anna with Love Said.Click HERE to reach Kathy with Advocating Against Romance Scammers.Support the show

Send us Fan MailPig butchering scams grew by 40% in 2024 and it only started a few years ago. The scam is named in reference to the practice of fattening a pig before slaughter. The numbers have now far surpassed the typical romance scam.... and by some accounts the theft rivals money made by drug lords worldwide. Thankfully, people like Jackie Crenshaw are willing to come out of the shadow to show their face and fight this disgusting crime.Click HERE to donate to Jackie's gofundme to help her recover and continue her fight. Click HERE to read Jackie's story.Click HERE to see the TV story.Support the show

Send us Fan MailMoney mules aren't just used in romance scams and police departments all over the country are starting to notice. Lt. Andrew Weeden says his department has started to track them down after showing up at homes in his area. Click HERE to see the pictures of the suspected money mules discussed in this episode.Click HERE to see news story on the suspected elderly money mule who was attacked at a mall.Email questions to [email protected] the show

Send us Fan MailThe political donation scam is something I didn’t see coming. I had one friend contact me concerned about her mother who believes she’s working on President Donald Trump’s campaign…. and then another friend reached out with the same story about her mom! I’ve since learned that this is happening to multiple women in my area alone. Click here to learn more about political donation scams. Support the show

Send us Fan MailThis podcast started years ago because, at the time, there was very little information online and I needed to understand what happened to me and my family. In the beginning, trying to find people to interview was tough. Now all of the friends in my circle have a family member who has been scammed. If you have a story that you'd like to share, email me at [email protected]. If this podcast is helpful, please consider supporting the show. I don't get paid and that's alright with me. This is my community service. Stay safe scammer warriors.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWe spend a lot of time on this podcast talking about romance scam victims, but there's another victim in this nightmare. The adult children of romance scams never asked for this. Sons and daughters are never the hero in the victim's mind. They're actually the enemy. If you have a story you'd like to share, contact April at [email protected]. You can also follow April on TikTok and Facebook.Support the show

Send us Fan MailDebbie is one of the rare romance scam victims who let a TV reporter interview her on camera… knowing she would get some hate. She’s now decided that she’s going to delve into the world of advocacy after she was able to find a detective who took the time to learn how to trace crypto. Her bravery could help so many future victims.Support the show

Send us Fan MailA veteran ended up destitute and lonely after spending so much of his life serving his country. It wasn't a foreign war that ended up leading to his death. It was a romance scam... even though his dedicated niece tried everything in her power to save him. Support the show

Send us Fan MailA Wyoming woman was the victim of a romance scam, turned pig butchering scam, long before most people knew anything about either scam. Her daughter discovered her mother living in a mobile home without electricity and running water. The scam ended up indirectly taking the victim's life.For more resources on how to spot scams click HERE to learn more from AARS.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe scammer in this story told the victim that he was country music star Vince Gill and that he needed money because he was being accused of rape. This victim’s daughter tells the story of the one picture she spotted on her mother’s social media account that led to the discovery that her mother had lost everything.Click HERE to contact April about your loved one.Click HERE to donate $1 a month to help continue to spread the message.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEvery family member of a romance scam victim dreams of being able to give the scumbag a piece of their mind. This woman actually did it… and it’s flawless. I wish I was able to handle my mother’s scammer like this when I got him on the phone, but I was too afraid to upset my mother.Click HERE to contact April about your loved one.Click HERE to donate $1 a month to help continue to spread the message.Support the show

Send us Fan MailSometimes laughter really is the best medicine in this dark terrible world of romance scams. A Michigan woman used her humor, her acting skills and advice from an amazing financial advisor to come out on the other side. She still has bad days, but she's decided to join the fight... instead of letting the scam ruin her life.  Click HERE to contact April about your loved one.Click HERE to donate $1 a month to help continue to spread the message.Support the show

Send us Fan MailBecky Holmes is out with a new book now available in the U.S. that's gaining a lot of traction in the world of romance scams. It's called Keanu Reeves Is Not In Love With You. The book is informative and delightfully entertaining. Becky took time out for Scammer Stories to have a conversation on how it all started and how it led to finding her new love.  Click HERE to buy the book!Click HERE to contact April about your loved one.Click HERE to donate $1 a month to help continue to spread the message.Or click the link below to make a one-time donation.Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Support the showSupport the show

Send us Fan MailThis romance scammer created a huge web of lies that ended up putting a woman in the middle of a scam with other victims. We’re going to tell you how he was able to get out of the mess and how she got involved in the first place. There was a huge web of lies that a scammer told this victim who we’ll call “Laura.” By the time the scam was over, Laura became part of moving money around among scammers and other victims without even knowing it.Click HERE to contact April about your loved one.Click HERE to donate $1 a month to help continue to spread the message.Or click the link below to make a one-time donation.Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Support the showSupport the showSupport the show

Send us Fan MailA romance scam doesn't just demolish a victim's life, it ruins life for everyone who touches the scam. Daughters of victims open up about how it changed their lives. Click HERE to contact April about your loved one.Click HERE to donate $1 a month to help continue to spread the message.Or click the link below to make a one-time donation. Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Support the showSupport the show

Send us Fan MailThe financial industry is a tough nut to crack for people like us when it comes to romance scams.  This is a rare interview with April Devalkenaere, a former law enforcement officer, who now fights financial crimes in court.  She talks about what the direction financial institutions are going to help put an end to scams… especially with the older population.Click HERE to contact April about your loved one.Click HERE to donate $1 a month to help continue to spread the message.Or click the link below to make a one-time donation.  Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Support the show

Send us Fan MailDonna Hayes has quite the story before her scam even got started.  Hayes grew up in poverty in Jamaica and was able to make it to America and make her dreams come true. She thought she met the man of her dreams who ended up stealing from her. However, she was able to actually get SOME of the money back and write a book about her experience.Click HERE for a link to buy her book These Broken Roads: Scammed and Vindicated, One Woman's story.You can also find her for help at www.distinguishedcoaching.com.***Please consider a one -time donation to keep this podcast going. Every bit helps!  Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.  You can also click HERE to donate $1 a month to help keep the podcast going to spread the message. Support the show

Send us Fan MailTherapist Cathy Wilson, with Life Path Counseling, shares similarities between judging a romance scam victim and the victim of domestic abuse. Wilson says victims can be revictimized by harsh questions. Click HERE for the resources Cathy has created, including her book Emotional Impact of Being Scammed and How to Recover. ***Please consider a one  time donation to keep this podcast going. Every bit helps!  Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Click HERE to donate $1 per month to help keep the podcast going to spread the message.Support the show

Send us Fan MailAs many of you know, my mother lost $350,000 in a romance scam while she was battling ovarian cancer. She asked me for $200 to pay a "doctor bill." I knew where the money was going, so I told her I would send her the money if she gave me an interview. She died days later. ***Please consider a one-time donation to keep this podcast going. Every bit helps!  Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Click HERE to spend $1 per month to help keep the podcast going to spread the message.Support the show

Send us Fan MailFINALLY! I've been trying to interview a banking expert for years... and crickets. "Michelle" works for a major bank in the U.S. and the U.K.  She answers so many questions that I've had for years.***Please consider a one  time donation to keep this podcast going. Every bit helps!  Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Support the show

Send us Fan MailRory MacLeod was off living his best life overseas when he came home for a surprise Christmas trip and found himself in the middle of a nightmare. His mother was a successful therapist for couples. He never thought she would be the victim of a romance scam of any kind... let alone one of this magnitude.  ***Please consider a one  time donation to keep this podcast going. Every bit helps!  Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Click HERE to spend $1 a month to help keep the show going to spread the message.Support the show

Send us Fan MailJeff had the unimaginable task of facing his mother in court so he could save her. Even after that, he had to chase his mother’s scam all over the place. He talked to bank branch managers, lawyers, doctors, credit card representatives and FedEx workers.***Please consider a one  time donation to keep this podcast going. Every bit helps!  Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Support the show

Send us Fan MailJeff’s world was turned upside down when he figured out that his mother was involved with a romance scammer. To top it off, his dad was still married to his mom. ***Please consider a one  time donation to keep this podcast going. Every bit helps!  Send donations to https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe cards are stacked against this woman who thought she fell in love with a professional poker player. The justice system has failed her... and other women like her. Investigators believe she gave her money away. There is no crime here right? You decide.***Please consider a one time donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter. Support the show

Send us Fan MailEver since my mother died, I wondered what would have happened if I would have demanded a financial conservatorship. How do you get one? Do you need a lawyer? Does it work? In this episode, we find out what it does to a victim who is in deep with her scumbag scammer.***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.Support the show

Send us Fan MailAccording to the Federal Trade Commission, a growing trend in scammers involves  cryptocurrency. Do you know how to spot it? The scam is complicated and growing. The only way to arm everyone against this scam is to educate ourselves. This episode addresses everything you need to know about a cryptocurrency scam.  Are you being scammed? Email me at scammerstoriespodcast.com.More information from the FTC in the link below.CLICK HERE***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.Support the show

Send us Fan MailA very organized, and dangerous, group out of Nigeria nearly ruined a successful career for an interior architect. The victim is still trying to dig herself out of the hole, but is grateful to survive. Click HERE for more on the book “Who Is The Real Man Behind The Screen?” by Diana Garren***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.Have a story to share? Contact April at [email protected] the show

Send us Fan Mail“Jenny” is trying to protect both her mother AND father from losing everything. She went through her mother’s messages and told her father. She even called police,  the bank and the cell phone store workers at the mall. She's a good daughter with a lot to  share for the rest of us.***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.If you have a story to share, or have questions, email me at [email protected] the show

Send us Fan MailDaniel Harrold and I both went through painful divorces. We both quickly discovered that scammers are out there. His pictures were used... my mom was used. In this episode, we talk scams and how to successfully date online. If you are struggling to find a companion, it's ok. Most people are not happy with their dating life Here's the thing. You need a community and it's here. Click on the link below.CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE DATING GROUP***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.Support the show

Send us Fan MailKaitlyn’s mother is now living in a trailer after losing her home in a romance scam. It started after the death of her father two years ago. Her mother was lonely during the pandemic, lost her husband and is now in denial. ***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.Support the show

Send us Fan MailNothing is better than a puppy when you're feeling alone. Right?  I've been there. I was so lonely after a horrific divorce that I would have done anything to get my dog. And I did. Teeny and I have now been together for about 13 years, but the rescue group wasn't all about it at first. What if it was a scam? I wanted her so badly.***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.Support the show

Send us Fan MailFinding a counselor who specialized in romance scams was nearly possible... until now. Therapist Cathy Wilson, of Littleton, Colorado, realized there was a huge need and jumped into the challenge with both feet. Wilson takes victims through how they can begin to heal so they can find love again AND how family members can get over the anger. Here's how to find her book The Emotional Impact of Being Scammed and How to Recover:Click HERE!Here's how to find the outline that started the book:Click HERE!***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.Support the show

Send us Fan MailDorothy worked at a secure military base, and had been educated on scams, when her world was turned upside down by a scumbag. Many romance scam victims are embarrassed to come forward. Even though some of her family members won't speak to her after the scam, Dorothy was brave enough to write a book about her story. The book is called Scammed in America by Dorothy Harding.Buy the book HERE!***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.Support the show

Send us Fan MailChloe says she started seeing a counselor who referred her to sex anonymous and other groups to get over her scammer. The first night we spoke she had just blocked her scammer for the 16th time. ***Please consider a onetime donation to keep this podcast going. It's just me and it's expensive.  Send donations https://paypal.me/Scamfighter.Support the show