Scams, Hacks and Frauds: Protecting your family from Internet Scams, Con Artists and Cybercrime

Cee | Host of Scams, Hacks and Frauds.

A true crime podcast about Scams, Hacking and Fraud.  Real stories of Con Artists, Romance Scams and Identity theft, and the red flags that keep your family safe. By listening to our stories and sharing them with your friends and family, you can be better protected against Scammers, Fraudsters and Hackers.   Each week, you and your loved ones can learn the red flags of a scam or fraud attempt by listening to a true-crime story in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee, helping keep you and your loved ones safe from an Internet Scam or Con artist. In a world full of misinformation and AI-generated stories, it's hard to know what is true.  You'll find all of our episodes, transcripts, and Further reading on our website at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com so you don't just have to take our word for it.  We don't use AI to generate our stories, and every word Cee says was spoken by Cee. We share new stories every other Monday. Have you fallen for an Internet Scam, Fraud or been Phished?  Please share with us your stories.  Email Cee@scamshacksandfrauds.com with your story.

  1. Oct 12

    Charles Ponzi, the man behind the Ponzi Scheme (Archive Show)

    Tell us your story here! Welcome to Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, where we retell tales of true crime fraudsters and scams. This week we're looking at one of the big grandaddies of the Scam world: The Ponzi Scheme. In this archive show, we delve into the world of Ponzi schemes, using the infamous Charles Ponzi as our guide. Discover how these fraudulent schemes operate and the subtle ways you might inadvertently become entangled in one. We explore the fascinating story of Charles Ponzi, who in 1919, turned a seemingly innocent idea into a financial nightmare, promising investors extraordinary returns while simultaneously digging himself deeper into a trap of his own making. Through an engaging narrative, we break down the mechanics of Ponzi schemes, revealing the telltale signs that could indicate you're about to be scammed. From the allure of doubling your money in just 90 days to the sunk cost fallacy that ensnares both scammers and victims alike, we provide critical insights to help you safeguard your investments. Join us as we share essential advice on how to avoid falling prey to such scams, emphasising the importance of understanding your investments and resisting high-pressure tactics. Tune in and equip yourself with the knowledge to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dark side of financial fraud. We (usually) publish new content every other Monday. The short time our episodes save your wallet, and help protect your family. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you.   On our website you’ll find more computer hacking, identity fraud, impersonation, consumer rights and Romance Scams.  To find these and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

    Charles Ponzi, the man behind the Ponzi Scheme (Archive Show)

  2. Sep 28

    Jen Shah: The Real Scammer of Salt Lake City

    Tell us your story here! They called her a Real Housewife of Salt Lake City. She called herself the Wizard of Oz. But from 2023 to 2025, they called her an inmate. This week on Scams, Hacks and Frauds, we tell the true story of Jen Shah, the RHOSLC star who spent nearly a decade at the centre of a nationwide telemarketing fraud. The scheme targeted thousands of victims, many of them over 55, with worthless "business coaching" and online business services. Jennifer Shah pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. In this episode: How the scam worked: lead lists, cold calls and "we noticed your website" Trisha's story: how a $12,000 purchase turned into $47,000, half her retirement savings Becky White, deleted messages and moving operations to Kosovo and Cyprus The arrest during filming for the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Her guilty plea in her own words, and what she said in her 2026 People interview Why once you fall for one scam, the scammers keep coming back Plus: how to screen unexpected calls, and why real business advice never comes from a stranger who "found your website." Everything in this episode comes from US Department of Justice press releases, court filings and reporting from the courtroom. You'll find the full sources and transcript at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. If you've been the victim of fraud: in the US, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. In the UK, contact Action Fraud. We (usually) publish new content every other Monday. The short time our episodes save your wallet, and help protect your family. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you.   On our website you’ll find more computer hacking, identity fraud, impersonation, consumer rights and Romance Scams.  To find these and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

    Jen Shah: The Real Scammer of Salt Lake City

  3. Sep 14

    Hacked Account Lawsuits - Jeff's Real Life Story - Scams, Hacks & Frauds

    Tell us your story here! When hackers hijack your social media accounts, the company you trust to protect you might just lock you out instead. This week, we sit down with Jeff, a retired attorney whose business and personal Facebook accounts were hacked — putting 14 years of memories, a small-town Indiana writing project, and his family's book business at risk. Jeff walks us through: How the hack was discovered via a suspicious Facebook password-reset emailFacebook's refusal to help — even while the hacker kept using his business page to advertise robotics productsWhy Jeff, after 11 months of stonewalling, took Facebook (Meta) to small claims courtHow Meta's own attorney showed up and helped restore access — then how the fight for damages played out at trial and in settlement negotiationsWhat Jeff's case reveals about the leverage everyday people have against Big TechWe also cover Ordo_Liberal's fight with Microsoft after his Xbox account and OneDrive files were wiped by hackers, and how Brazil's consumer protection laws forced a resolution. Plus: practical guidance on when a lawsuit makes sense, how small claims court works, and why you should audit old, unused accounts today. (Remember if you are considering a lawsuit, it is essential to get local legal advice.  This podcast is not legal advice) Have you had an account hacked? Share your story at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. We (usually) publish new content every other Monday. The short time our episodes save your wallet, and help protect your family. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you.   On our website you’ll find more computer hacking, identity fraud, impersonation, consumer rights and Romance Scams.  To find these and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

    Hacked Account Lawsuits - Jeff's Real Life Story - Scams, Hacks & Frauds

  4. Aug 31

    Phishing Delivery Texts stealing Thousands - How a Hack turns into scam, then fraud

    Tell us your story here! In this episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds we cover a story that starts with a hack, moves on to a Scam, and ends up in Fraud.  You've probably received a Text message telling you that you need to update details for a delivery or pay some extra charges, but a lot of the time these messages are fake phishing attempts trying to steal your details. You've probably wondered just how these scammers get your phone number.   Well the truth is stranger than fiction, your number might be taken by hackers whilst you're harmlessly walking by, or taking the train home from work.  We'll tell you just how that happens, and the story of one heroic commuter who managed to put one of these hackers in Jail. We then take you through the next stage of the scam: what the scammers do with your details to convince you to part with your money, by telling you the story of Sam from London who lost £10,000 in the second phase of the scam... and her struggles to get her money back. We close with a story from Cee himself, explaining how to handle unexpected communication from your bank to stay safe, just as he did. We (usually) publish new content every other Monday. The short time our episodes save your wallet, and help protect your family. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you.   On our website you’ll find more computer hacking, identity fraud, impersonation, consumer rights and Romance Scams.  To find these and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

    Phishing Delivery Texts stealing Thousands - How a Hack turns into scam, then fraud

  5. Aug 17

    Streaming Box Scam: How Cheap TV Boxes Let Hackers In

    Tell us your story here! Have you seen an advertisement for one of those cheap streaming boxes that promises access to literally everything, even premium sports content for free once you've bought the box?  Well, if you bought one, once you've listened to this episode, I promise you're going to want to rip it out... These are real life Trojan Horses. These "Superboxes", or "Bad Boxes", allow hackers to take over your internet connection and steal your data, your employer's data, and may even eavesdrop on your conversations.... and engage in "click fraud" to enrich organised crime. These devices prove that truth is stranger than fiction, especially when it comes to hacks and fraud. Before you plug in that next "deal" box, listen to this episode so you don't become the next hack victim. We (usually) publish new content every other Monday. The short time our episodes save your wallet, and help protect your family. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you.   On our website you’ll find more computer hacking, identity fraud, impersonation, consumer rights and Romance Scams.  To find these and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

    Streaming Box Scam: How Cheap TV Boxes Let Hackers In

  6. Aug 3

    The Greatest Identity Theft Story | William Woods' Real Life Fraud

    Tell us your story here! This week on Scams Hacks and Frauds, we have the greatest, most astounding identity fraud case you've ever heard.  How a man had his entire identity stolen for 30 years, and when he tried to get it back, found himself not just behind bars, but in a mental institution, has the fraudster insisted that William Woods - our victim - was in fact trying to engage in Identity Fraud. We promise you no matter how bad you think it is, this story is worse. We'll cover how William discovered the threat, and how a police officer at the University of Iowa, who listened and investigated when others would not, eventually cracked this case, putting behind bars the man who stole William's identity. We'll also talk about how data minimisation and checking your credit report is are essential steps in identity theft prevention and identity theft protection. We (usually) publish new content every other Monday. The short time our episodes save your wallet, and help protect your family. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you.   On our website you’ll find more computer hacking, identity fraud, impersonation, consumer rights and Romance Scams.  To find these and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

    The Greatest Identity Theft Story | William Woods' Real Life Fraud

  7. Jul 20 ·  Bonus

    Romance Scam Victim In Prison (Updated Archive Show)

    Tell us your story here! Cee is having some production issues this week, so we're updating a Romance Scam story we told you this time last year.  Romance scams are some of the nastiest scams out there, as they play on your heartstrings, allowing people to lose their savings to a Scammer, or in this case, something much, much worse. Donna, a Grandmother from Western Australia, was on her first international trip, off to meet the person she believed was the love of her life in Japan.  Donna knew her scammer, or thought she did, as she'd been communicating with him online for quite some time.  Little did Donna know she was in the middle of a romance scam cum drug ring, and rather than be treated as a victim, she'd find herself in prison in a strange land, with a court system that refuses to hear her pleas for mercy. We recommend tissues for this story.  There is no happy ending for this fraud victim.   We (usually) publish new content every other Monday. The short time our episodes save your wallet, and help protect your family. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you.   On our website you’ll find more computer hacking, identity fraud, impersonation, consumer rights and Romance Scams.  To find these and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

    Romance Scam Victim In Prison (Updated Archive Show)

  8. Jul 6

    Timeshare Recovery Scams

    Tell us your story here! Think you've escaped your timeshare nightmare? Think again. This episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds exposes a devastating timeshare recovery scam operation that targeted timeshare owners not once, but multiple times over — proving that falling for one scam can make you a target for many more. What You'll Learn: The bait: How "Williams and Burns," posing as a real estate broker, lured timeshare owners with false promises of $2,100/week rental income — for a $1,899+ "membership fee"The false urgency trick: Fake conventions and fabricated deadlines designed to pressure victims into quick decisionsPhase two of the recovery scam: How "Scam Collections and Sales" then targeted the same victims, posing as a legitimate recovery service to help them get their lost money back — for another feeThe fake chargeback scheme: Why claiming an authorized charge is "unauthorized" doesn't work, and what chargebacks are actually forThe final blow: A fraudulent FTC settlement scam demanding a $3,999 upfront fee for a payout that never existedThe takedown: How New Jersey's 2021 civil suit and a 2023 federal case finally caught William Hanlon and his co-conspirators — and what happened when his bail was revokedKey Recovery Scam Red Flags Covered: Promises of "something for nothing"Upfront fees for money you're "guaranteed" to receivePressure to act before you've verified a claim independentlyRecovery services contacting you out of the blueChargeback Tips: Learn the real rules on when you can (and can't) request a chargeback — including unauthorized charges, undelivered services, and defective products — and why acting quickly matters. We (usually) publish new content every other Monday. The short time our episodes save your wallet, and help protect your family. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you.   On our website you’ll find more computer hacking, identity fraud, impersonation, consumer rights and Romance Scams.  To find these and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com. The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

    Timeshare Recovery Scams
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About

A true crime podcast about Scams, Hacking and Fraud.  Real stories of Con Artists, Romance Scams and Identity theft, and the red flags that keep your family safe. By listening to our stories and sharing them with your friends and family, you can be better protected against Scammers, Fraudsters and Hackers.   Each week, you and your loved ones can learn the red flags of a scam or fraud attempt by listening to a true-crime story in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee, helping keep you and your loved ones safe from an Internet Scam or Con artist. In a world full of misinformation and AI-generated stories, it's hard to know what is true.  You'll find all of our episodes, transcripts, and Further reading on our website at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com so you don't just have to take our word for it.  We don't use AI to generate our stories, and every word Cee says was spoken by Cee. We share new stories every other Monday. Have you fallen for an Internet Scam, Fraud or been Phished?  Please share with us your stories.  Email Cee@scamshacksandfrauds.com with your story.

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