Scams, Hacks and Frauds: Keeping you and your family safe from scams

Cee | Host of Scams, Hacks and Frauds.

10 Minutes could save your wallet!  At Scams, Hacks and Frauds. We believe that sharing stories is the absolute best way to protect people from getting scammed or falling into a hacker's trap.  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 just by listening to a true crime story told in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee, helping keep you and your loved ones safe. In a world full of misinformation and AI generated stories, its 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 share new stories most Mondays. Please share with us your stories.  Email Cee@scamshacksandfrauds.com with your story.

  1. Gift Card Fraud Exposed: How a 3 Man Scam Ring Was Stopped While Retailers Fail to Act

    FEB 2

    Gift Card Fraud Exposed: How a 3 Man Scam Ring Was Stopped While Retailers Fail to Act

    Tell us your story here! Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds! In today's episode, we dive deep into a fascinating true crime story about a notorious gift card fraud ring of three Chinese nationals in the US. This group spent tens of thousands of dollars daily on tech gadgets at major retailers using fraudulently obtained gift cards.  Join us as we follow one of their shopping trips, uncover how their operation was eventually stopped, and reveal the shocking details uncovered during the arrest.  We also explore why many retailers fail to detect or stop this form of fraud and how this enables money laundering on a massive scale.  If you're interested in understanding these scams better and protecting yourself and your family from similar fraud schemes, listen closely and check out recommended creators Kitboga and Jim Browning who specialize in scam investigations. Kitboga - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm22FAXZMw1BaWeFszZxUKw Jim Browning - https://www.youtube.com/JimBrowning We publish new content most Mondays. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you. Only 10 minutes may save your wallet. 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.

    10 min
  2. Buying a Lordship or Ladyship: Scam or Legit Life Hack?

    JAN 5

    Buying a Lordship or Ladyship: Scam or Legit Life Hack?

    Tell us your story here! Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds, where we explore real life fraud and hacking stories.  This week, we ask if buying a Lordship is a legitimate life hack or just another scam. Have you come across ads or videos promising to make you a Scottish Lord or Lady? Many wonder if these offers are just fun gifts or outright scams. In this episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we dive into the true crime behind these claims and explore whether buying a lordship or ladyship is a scam or a clever life hack. We'll uncover the truth about these noble title promises, revealing whether these sites truly sell you a legitimate title or if it's all a fraudulent scheme. You'll learn exactly what it takes to become a proper lord or lady and discover a free alternative that might just have people calling you Lord or Lady. Additionally, we'll investigate other claims made by these sites, including the promise of a small plot of land and how your money is supposedly used to protect Scottish Woodlands and plant trees. We look behind the curtain to find out if these are genuine or just more scams. Tune in to learn how to spot these scams and protect yourself from fraud. Scams, Hacks, and Frauds is your go-to true crime podcast for understanding the deceptive world of scams, hacks, and frauds with real stories that keep you and your family safe.  Cee brings you an epsiode every other Monday, so make sure you subscribe to better protect your family. Important links for this episode: Trees For The Future Legal Eagle's VideoFact Fiend's videoAndy Wightman's workWe publish new content most Mondays. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you. Only 10 minutes may save your wallet. 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.

    14 min
  3. Charles Ponzi's Scam: The Classic Fraud That Is Still Around Today

    12/09/2025

    Charles Ponzi's Scam: The Classic Fraud That Is Still Around Today

    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. 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 publish new content most Mondays. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you. Only 10 minutes may save your wallet. 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.

    10 min
  4. Why Do Scams And Hacks Ask For Bitcoin?

    11/24/2025

    Why Do Scams And Hacks Ask For Bitcoin?

    Tell us your story here! Weclome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds where we follow true crime scam and hack stories.  This week we ponder "Why do Scams and Hacks ask for bitcoin?". We explore the dark underbelly of cryptocurrency and how unsuspecting individuals can become entwined in complex fraud schemes. Meet Jian Wren, a resilient woman who, after enduring years of hardship, finds herself caught in a web of deceit involving a criminal mastermind and Bitcoin. Jian's journey takes us from her struggles as a single mother in the UK to her unexpected role as an assistant to a woman with a hidden agenda. What starts as a seemingly lucrative job quickly spirals into a nightmare as Jian unwittingly becomes involved in money laundering and international scams. We delve into the mechanics of cryptocurrency, explaining how its anonymity can facilitate fraud and the risks it poses to everyday people. Discover the crucial lessons Jeann learned the hard way about the dangers of cryptocurrency and the importance of vigilance when it comes to financial transactions. Tune in for practical advice on how to protect yourself from similar scams and to understand the red flags that could save you from falling victim to fraud. We publish new content most Mondays. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you. Only 10 minutes may save your wallet. 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.

    11 min
  5. Virtual Kidnapping Scams: A True Crime Nightmare

    11/10/2025

    Virtual Kidnapping Scams: A True Crime Nightmare

    Tell us your story here! Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds, where we retell true crime scam stories.  This week we delve into Virtual Kidnappings, something that is every parent's nightmare. Virtual kidnapping scams are a terrifying new form of fraud that can affect any family. In this episode, we dive into Jennifer DeStafano's true crime nightmare — a shocking scam where fraudsters use AI to replicate a child's voice, making it sound like they've been kidnapped to extort money. Using AI-generated voices ourselves, we recreate the chilling threats Jennifer received while her daughter Brianna was safely asleep after ski racing practice. This highlights how modern scammers have moved beyond traditional hacks and physical crimes to exploit technology in frightening new ways. Join us as we expose the dangerous tactics behind these scams and share practical tips to protect your loved ones from falling prey to similar fraud. Stay informed and stay safe by understanding how these schemes operate and what you can do to prevent them. Nb - The Words " and part of it is not, its AI generated" as well as voices that aren't Cee's were AI generated.  The crying sobs come from Epidemic Sound's library rather than AI. We publish new content most Mondays. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you. Only 10 minutes may save your wallet. 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.

    9 min
  6. Hack Alert: 6 Million victims at risk as outsourcer hacked - What you can do to minimise your chances of being a hacking victim

    10/20/2025

    Hack Alert: 6 Million victims at risk as outsourcer hacked - What you can do to minimise your chances of being a hacking victim

    Tell us your story here! Welcome to Scams, Hacks and Frauds, where we look at true crime hacking stories.  Your data may have already been taken by hackers who have infiltrated a company responsible for the pensions of millions. Join us as we uncover a staggering data breach affecting over 6 million individuals, stemming from a major hack of outsourcing giant Capita. You may not have heard of Capita, but chances are you've interacted with their services without even realising it. From managing pensions to handling customer service for numerous companies, Capita holds sensitive data on countless people, including you. We take you through the timeline of the breach, starting with a seemingly innocuous web browsing session that spiralled into chaos. As alarms went off and alerts were ignored, a hacker gained unprecedented access to Capita's network, ultimately siphoning off vast amounts of personal information, including bank details and driver's license numbers. We explore the shocking negligence that allowed this intrusion to occur and the aftermath of the breach, which raises serious questions about data security and corporate responsibility. Tune in to learn how you can protect yourself from identity fraud, the importance of monitoring your credit file, and practical steps you can take to minimise your data exposure. With insights on data minimisation and the power of the GDPR delete button, this episode is a vital resource for anyone concerned about their personal information in today’s digital landscape. Check your credit file: USA: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action UK: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report/ Other Hacking stories Qantas Hack Story: https://scamshacksandfrauds.com/scattered-spider-hack-qantas/ M&S and Co-op hack: https://scamshacksandfrauds.com/marks-and-spencer-and-uk-retailers-hacked-by-scattered-spider/ We publish new content most Mondays. If you like shows like "The Perfect Scam" or "Darknet Diaries" then this show might be for you. Only 10 minutes may save your wallet. 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.

    10 min

Ratings & Reviews

About

10 Minutes could save your wallet!  At Scams, Hacks and Frauds. We believe that sharing stories is the absolute best way to protect people from getting scammed or falling into a hacker's trap.  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 just by listening to a true crime story told in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee, helping keep you and your loved ones safe. In a world full of misinformation and AI generated stories, its 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 share new stories most Mondays. Please share with us your stories.  Email Cee@scamshacksandfrauds.com with your story.