Scammer Payback Podcast

Ransomware has quietly become one of the most powerful criminal business models in the world. It shuts down hospitals, cripples infrastructure, and extracts millions from companies that often have no choice but to pay. But behind the headlines is something far more structured and, in some ways, more predictable than you might think.In this episode of the Scammer Payback Podcast, we sit down with Anja Shortland to break down how this ecosystem actually works. We unpack ransomware in simple terms before zooming out to the bigger picture: how these groups operate, why they’re so effective, and what keeps the whole system running.We also get into what really happens during an attack, the decision-making process behind paying or refusing a ransom, and the role insurers, negotiators, and even reputation play in shaping outcomes. Finally, we look ahead at how AI could change the landscape and whether ransomware is something we can realistically reduce or just learn to live with.If you’ve ever wondered why ransomware keeps working, and why it’s so hard to stop, this conversation breaks it down.

Former FBI agent Brady Finta joins the Scammer Payback Podcast to break down how the FBI actually fights scams, transnational organized crime, and elder fraud. With more than 20 years of experience targeting criminal networks, Finta shares behind-the-scenes insight into major scam investigations like the first elder fraud RICO case.AnyDesk is incredible and one of the biggest contributors in helping fight back against scammers! To learn more about AnyDesk, visit https://anydesk.com/en

Al Pascual, CEO of Scamnetic and a leading expert in fraud and financial crime, joins the Scammer Payback Podcast to answer a critical question: why aren’t banks doing more to stop scams?In this episode, we dive into the growing gap between modern scam tactics and outdated fraud prevention systems, and why financial institutions often fail to intervene before victims lose money. Al Pascual shares insights from his role at Scamnetic, a company focused on detecting and preventing scams in real time.Follow the Scammer Payback Podcast for more conversations with cybersecurity experts, investigators, and industry leaders working to expose scams and protect consumers.

AnyDesk is incredible and one of the biggest contributors in helping fight back against scammers! To learn more about AnyDesk, visit https://anydesk.com/enProton CEO Andy Yen joins us for a conversation about online privacy, Big Tech surveillance, and why more people are trying to de-Google their lives. Andy explains how companies like Google built their business around collecting and monetizing user data, why corporate surveillance may be more dangerous than government surveillance, and how Proton is building privacy-focused alternatives like Proton Mail, Proton VPN, and Proton Drive to give people control over their digital lives. If you're concerned about Google tracking, data privacy, cybersecurity, and reclaiming control of your online identity, this conversation breaks down why it matters and what the future of a privacy-first internet could look like.Andy Yen and ProtonProton Born Private: https://proton.me/blog/born-privateProton’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProtonPrivacyProton’s X: https://x.com/ProtonPrivacyAndy’s X: https://x.com/andyyen

Senator Ruben Gallego joins the Scammer Payback Podcast to break down the SCAM Act, a new bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on online scams, fraud networks, and the growing epidemic of digital crime targeting Americans.We also talk about the role of Big Tech, Silicon Valley lobbying, and platform accountability, and whether companies like social media platforms and messaging apps should be doing more to stop scammers from reaching victims in the first place.Special thanks to Senator Ruben Gallego!

Meta scam ads are out of control. In this episode of the Scammer Payback Podcast, we dig into Reuters-reviewed internal documents that allege Meta (Facebook and Instagram) makes serious money from scam ads.With expert insight from Laura Edelson (Cybersecurity for Democracy Lab) and Martin Wolf (Financial Times), we break down how ad targeting, algorithm-driven feeds, deepfake investment scams, and “penalty bids” can keep fraud profitable.Special Thanks to J Walker Smith, Laura Edelson, and Martin Wolf.

Theresa Payton was the first female Chief Information Officer at the White House and is now recognized globally as a leading authority in cybersecurity. She’s an expert in AI, misinformation, and social engineering, with years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies and governments. Known for her clear insights and strategic thinking, she remains a trusted voice on today’s most pressing digital threats.

Jim Browning is a well-known YouTuber and ethical hacker who specializes in exposing and disrupting scam call centers. He uses his technical expertise to infiltrate scam operations, gather evidence, and sometimes even take control of their systems to help victims and law enforcement. His work has been featured in major investigations, and he’s widely respected in the scam-baiting and cybersecurity communities.Follow Jim Browning: www.youtube.com/@jimbrowning

Kitboga is a YouTuber and streamer known for his creative approach to fighting scammers. Through comedy, characters, and live scambaiting, he exposes the tactics of online fraudsters while educating millions on how to stay safe.In this episode, Kit sits down with Scammer Payback for the first time ever to break down their paths, their strategies, and how they’re combating millions of online scammers together.Follow Kitboga: https://www.youtube.com/@KitbogaShow

Social engineer Rachel Tobac joins the Scammer Payback Podcast to reveal how she targets people, not computers. She shares real stories from hacking major companies, breaks down how social engineering exploits human psychology, and shows why even security experts still get fooled. Featuring a live AI voice cloning attack and a look into the rise of AI psychosis.If you care about ethical hacking, cybercrime, or online scam prevention, this episode is a must-listen.Follow Rachel Tobacx.com/racheltobacinstagram.com/racheltobacsocialproofsecurity.com

AnyDesk is incredible and one of the biggest contributors in helping fight back against scammers! To learn more about AnyDesk, visit ⁠⁠https://anydesk.com/en⁠Today, we're chatting with Journalist Carl Miller about his investigation into a dark web operation he uncovered with ethical hacker Chris Monteiro. Together, they traced how a supposed assassination market was built, who was behind it, and what it revealed about how online scams evolve.Carl also shares how he first got involved in cybercrime reporting, from embedding with police during an iCloud hacking investigation to exploring the new challenge law enforcement has in keeping pace with digital crime. We discuss why a more cyber-focused approach to policing and better international cooperation is critical to tackling online fraud today.Follow Carl Miller:X: https://x.com/carljackmillerWebsite: https://www.carlmiller.co/

Ryan Montgomery, known online as “0day,” is one of the world’s most recognized ethical hackers and cybersecurity specialists. He’s dedicated his career to fighting online child exploitation, using his hacking skills to infiltrate and expose criminal networks that target vulnerable individuals. Beyond his investigative work, Ryan is the founder of Pentester.com, a leading cybersecurity and penetration testing platform helping organizations detect and fix critical vulnerabilities before criminals exploit them.Follow Ryan!InstagramX.comYouTube