Unmissables: Explosive Lies

4.8 (885)
TRUE CRIME
SERIES

He said it could save lives. It didn’t. It couldn’t even find golf balls… Jim McCormick was a cocky English salesman with an outrageous claim: a black plastic gadget that could sniff out bombs using “electromagnetic energy.” The science was pure fiction. But in the panic after 9/11, governments bought the lie - paying up to $60,000 for a device that started life as a $20 novelty golf-ball finder. McCormick sold hope to armies and security forces across the globe. But hope turned deadly. Behind the deals were fragmented friendships, betrayals, and a truth so dangerous it would take years to drag into the light. Alice Levine uncovers the jaw-dropping story of a con that cost countless lives - and the unlikely people who stopped at nothing to uncover the truth. Explosive Lies is a Global Original podcast, produced by Forest Sounds in partnership with Dentsu Entertainment.

BONUS

Introducing: Explosive Lies

Coming January 13th 2026. He said it could save lives. It didn’t. It couldn’t even find golf balls… Jim McCormick was a cocky English salesman with an outrageous claim: a black plastic gadget that could sniff out bombs using “electromagnetic energy.” The science was pure fiction. But in the panic after 9/11, governments bought the lie - paying up to $60,000 for a device that started life as a $20 novelty golf-ball finder. McCormick sold hope to armies and security forces across the globe. But hope turned deadly. Behind the deals were fragmented friendships, betrayals, and a truth so dangerous it would take years to drag into the light. Alice Levine uncovers the jaw-dropping story of a con that cost countless lives - and the unlikely people who stopped at nothing to uncover the truth. Explosive Lies is a Global Original podcast, produced by Forest Sounds in partnership with Dentsu Entertainment. Listen to all episodes on Global Player.

3 min

See All Season 3 (1)

Hannah Maguire

Host
Suruthi Bala

Host

4.8

out of 5

885 Ratings

Loved it

3 days ago

Matt12q

Engaging. Enthralling. Enjoyable. Loved it.
Wow!

5 days ago

fatmanmp

Stumbled upon this quite by accident as a suggested listen. Brilliantly written, narrated by Lewis Goodall with excellent production values (soundtrack & sound design is superb!) Had to binge the whole thing such was my desire to hear the whole story. Could easily be turned into a ‘based on a true story’ drama. Well worth a listen.
Bloody Brilliant

24/12/2025

Lock0o0

This is probably one of the more fascinating pods I’ve listened to, and brought to life by Lewis Goodall in his inimitable way. Thank you
Amazing !!

03/11/2025

jljamesjl

Loved it ! Really insightful insight into an amazing story- beautiful sound design and quality audio . Great how they got the key players in on the podcast and Lewis gives a lovely balanced take on it

He said it could save lives. It didn’t. It couldn’t even find golf balls… Jim McCormick was a cocky English salesman with an outrageous claim: a black plastic gadget that could sniff out bombs using “electromagnetic energy.” The science was pure fiction. But in the panic after 9/11, governments bought the lie - paying up to $60,000 for a device that started life as a $20 novelty golf-ball finder. McCormick sold hope to armies and security forces across the globe. But hope turned deadly. Behind the deals were fragmented friendships, betrayals, and a truth so dangerous it would take years to drag into the light. Alice Levine uncovers the jaw-dropping story of a con that cost countless lives - and the unlikely people who stopped at nothing to uncover the truth. Explosive Lies is a Global Original podcast, produced by Forest Sounds in partnership with Dentsu Entertainment.