FAKD: Scams, Frauds, Internet Cons

Joseph Rowan
  • 3.8 (4)
  • Education
  • Updated Daily

FAKD takes a look into the complex business of counterfeit and fake items on the market. How to tell fake items from real items and how not to get scammed.

  1. 3d ago

    #241 - This Week In Scams: The Fake Federal Agency, 1 Million “New” Phones & Counterfeit Ozempic

    This week on FAKD: This Week In Scams, we're breaking down five stories involving a completely fake federal agency, more than a million used phones allegedly sold as new, counterfeit Ozempic, a dangerous fake Apple preorder page, and one of Ancient Rome's strangest rituals. First, a man pleaded guilty after creating what appeared to be a federal emergency-management agency, complete with government seals, ID cards, law-enforcement-style badges and certificates. People paid hundreds of dollars for credentials they were falsely told gave them authority during emergencies. Then, European authorities are investigating a massive operation accused of selling more than one million used smartphones as brand-new, potentially causing hundreds of millions of euros in consumer losses. We also look at federal charges involving counterfeit Ozempic allegedly smuggled into the United States, including fake packaging, labels and needles, plus a fake iPhone preorder page researchers say was designed to attack vulnerable devices simply by loading the site. And for this week's odd-history story: What did Ancient Romans do when something was struck by lightning? Archaeologists have uncovered evidence connected to a bizarre ritual in which material associated with a lightning strike could be ritually buried and the location treated as sacred. Fake government agencies, fake “new” phones, fake medicine, fake Apple pages—and a very real ancient Roman ritual. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and don't get FAKD.

  2. 6d ago

    #240 - Inside the World of Superfakes: How to Spot Fake Luxury Goods with Graham Wetzbarger

    How good have fake luxury goods actually become? This week on FAKD, Joseph Rowan sits down with luxury authentication expert Graham Wetzbarger to go inside the world of counterfeit designer goods and “superfakes.” We break down how experts authenticate brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Hermès, the tiny details that can expose a fake, and why receipts, packaging and serial numbers aren't always enough. Graham also shares some of the craziest counterfeits he's encountered, how the fake luxury market has evolved, and whether AI—or even experienced human authenticators—can keep up as superfakes get better. Plus: What should you look for before spending thousands on a secondhand luxury item? Real or FAKD? Let's find out.

  3. Sep 21

    #239 - Amway’s $225 Million FTC Case: The Truth About the MLM Empire

    Amway has been one of the biggest names in multi-level marketing for nearly 70 years—and now it’s facing a proposed $225 million settlement with the FTC and Washington State. In this episode of FAKD, we break down the allegations against Amway and organizations connected to its distributor network, the company’s controversial history with regulators, and the landmark 1979 case that helped shape the modern MLM industry. We also look at Amway’s own income disclosures, stories from former distributors, how MLMs actually work, the warning signs to watch for, and what this new case could mean for current and former Amway Independent Business Owners. Plus: when does an MLM cross the line into a pyramid scheme—and how can you tell whether a “business opportunity” is actually worth the money? Before you buy the dream, check the math.

  4. Sep 16

    #238 - This Week In Scams: $10M Fake Daycares, The Hole-In-One Scam & A Viking Treasure

    This week on FAKD: This Week In Scams, we're breaking down five bizarre stories involving alleged fake daycares, a hole-in-one prize that never came, a multimillion-dollar stadium promise, Pokémon card scams, and a Viking treasure hiding underground for roughly 1,000 years. First, federal prosecutors have charged 12 people in alleged schemes that diverted more than $10 million in childcare subsidies, with some daycare providers accused of billing for children who weren't actually receiving the claimed care. Then, we look at one of the strangest insurance scams we've covered: a company sold coverage for golf tournaments offering huge hole-in-one prizes—but prosecutors say when someone actually hit the shot, getting the prize became another story. The man behind the company has now pleaded guilty to wire fraud. We also break down an alleged “free” college football stadium deal that prosecutors say contributed to millions in losses, plus a Pokémon card scheme where the collectibles themselves were apparently real—but buyers were allegedly tricked into paying twice. And for this week's odd-history story, a metal detectorist in Finland discovered nearly 10 pounds of Viking-era silver buried underground—and then realized there was a second stash nearby. Fake childcare, disappearing prizes, a multimillion-dollar stadium promise, Pokémon scams, and thousands of Viking-era silver coins. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and don't get FAKD.

  5. Sep 11

    #237 - 9/11: 25 Years Later — The Biggest Conspiracy Theories, Debunked

    Twenty-five years after 9/11, the conspiracy theories haven't disappeared. Jet fuel can't melt steel beams. The Twin Towers looked like controlled demolitions. Mysterious “explosions” were caught on camera. Building 7 fell without being hit by a plane. A plane never hit the Pentagon. And perhaps the biggest claim of all—the government knew it was going to happen. In this episode, we take six of the most persistent 9/11 conspiracy theories seriously enough to actually examine them. We break down where each claim came from, the evidence conspiracy theorists point to, and what engineering investigations, physical evidence, eyewitness accounts, aviation records and intelligence reports actually tell us. Some claims have surprisingly simple explanations. Others contain pieces of truth that have been stretched into something the evidence doesn't support. And some reveal legitimate failures surrounding 9/11 that are arguably more interesting than the conspiracy itself. No “just trust the government.” Just the claims, the evidence, and what we actually know.

  6. Sep 9

    #236 - The Truth About Data Centers: Real Risks vs. Fake Fears feat. Ty Mathews

    Are data centers really draining our water, overwhelming the power grid, raising electric bills and destroying communities — or has some of the panic gotten ahead of the facts? Ty Mathews joins FAKD to separate the legitimate concerns surrounding America's massive data-center boom from the myths, misconceptions and outright misinformation. We break down what data centers actually do, why AI is driving their explosive growth, how much electricity and water they really use, whether they can affect your utility bill, who pays for the infrastructure, what communities actually get from tax incentives and jobs, and what responsible data-center development should look like. Some of the concerns are very real. Others aren't quite what you've been told. This episode is about figuring out which is which.

  7. Sep 4

    #235 - The Multi-Million Dollar World of Fake Art ft. Richard Polsky

    How do you tell if a million-dollar masterpiece is real—or an incredibly convincing fake? Art authenticator Richard Polsky joins FAKD to take us inside the fascinating world of art fraud, forgery, and authentication. We explore the history of fake art, why forgers do it, some of the biggest art scams ever uncovered, and the red flags that can expose a counterfeit masterpiece. Richard also shares stories from his decades in the art world, how he developed an eye for authentication, and the surprisingly simple things you can look for when determining whether a piece of art is actually what it claims to be. Richard’s new book, I Sold Alice Cooper’s Andy Warhol, is available for pre-order now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sold-Alice-Coopers-Andy-Warhol/dp/1635425999

  8. Sep 2

    #234 - This Week In Scams: The $150K Walmart Trick, $11M Elder Scam & A 4-Minute Museum Heist

    This week on FAKD: This Week In Scams, we're breaking down five wild stories involving sleight of hand, stolen identities, millions in scam money, stolen government checks, and a 3,000-year-old treasure that disappeared in minutes. First, federal prosecutors say a man allegedly used a sleight-of-hand trick at Walmart stores across the country to walk away with merchandise after secretly removing cash the cashier had already counted. Authorities say the scheme generated more than $150,000. Then, we follow the money behind an alleged elder-fraud network involving 21 shell companies, 44 bank accounts and millions of dollars taken from victims of tech-support, government-imposter and bank-imposter scams. We also look at a researcher who pleaded guilty after spending more than 14 years avoiding U.S. prosecution over money stolen from CDC-funded research, plus an alleged scheme involving more than $8 million in stolen checks, including dozens of U.S. Treasury checks. And for this week's odd-history story, thieves reportedly broke into a museum in Spain and stole most of a 3,000-year-old Bronze Age gold treasure—in roughly four minutes. Fake payments, stolen checks, millions in scam money, a 14-year fugitive, and 3,000 years of history gone in 240 seconds. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and don't get FAKD.

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FAKD takes a look into the complex business of counterfeit and fake items on the market. How to tell fake items from real items and how not to get scammed.

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