PRETEND+

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Channel • 5 Shows

True Crime

True Crime

Updated Biweekly
True Crime

True Crime

Biweekly Series
True Crime

True Crime

Updated 09/30/2024
Business

Business

Updated Biweekly
True Crime

True Crime

Series

5D AGO

The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 1

After a one-night hookup with a fan-turned-client, former Bachelor star Clayton Echard faced an unexpected legal battle — and public accusations that threatened to ruin his life. In this episode, we unpack the early timeline of Clayton’s explosive case with Laura Michelle Owens, who claimed she was pregnant with his twins… despite his insistence they never had sex. But Clayton wasn’t her first target. When no one else believed him, the internet showed up and started pulling Laura’s story apart. Stayed tuned for part 2 and 3 of the "Internet Saves the Bachelor." Be the first to listen on Patreon and PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast. Credits: Hosted, Produced: Javier Leiva Written by: Mackenzie Aimes Additional Reporting: The Dating Detectives Podcast References: https://allthebestresearch.com Dave Neal's YouTube: https://youtube.com/@davenealcomedian?si=buUz1EGyODwQ6aGv https://justiceforclayton.com/wiki/index.php/Laura_Michelle_Owens_-_Court_Case_History https://www.reddit.com/r/JusticeForClayton/ https://victimsoflauraowens.com/coverage/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5d ago

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34 min
MAY 10

The Man Who Stole 200 Million Identities

In this episode of PRETEND, recorded live at the GISEC cybersecurity conference in Dubai, I spoke with Hieu Minh Ngo, once one of the most prolific identity thieves in the world. Operating out of Vietnam, Hieu stole and sold personal data on over 200 million Americans. We're talking names, birth dates, Social Security numbers—everything you’d need to become someone else. But he didn’t hack his way in. Instead, he used open-source intelligence and even impersonated a private investigator to gain legal access to massive data broker networks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10

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29 min
MAY 6

2104: The Digital Pickpocket Revisted

While speaking at a hacker conference in Dubai, Javier revisits a conversation with professional pickpocket and entertainer James Freedman. James reveals how a childhood scuffle led to a lifelong obsession with the art of pickpocketing, evolving from swiping coins to mastering social engineering and even digital fraud. 🔗 Listen to Part 2Click here for The Digital Pickpocket, Part 2 → 💬 Connect with Javier on social Instagram/Twitter/TikTok: @pretendpod 🛡 Stay safe: Learn how to defend yourself against modern pickpockets — both analog and digital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 6

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30 min
APR 29

LaDonna's Easter Egg Hustle

How LaDonna Humphrey Used a Children's Event to Funnel Money Through Oasis of Northwest Arkansas. What happens when a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt turns into a glowing red flag? In this bonus episode of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva exposes a so-called family event that promised “magic,” but delivered mayhem — all tied to LaDonna Humphrey and her questionable nonprofit, Oasis of Northwest Arkansas. Held at Mt. Hebron Park on April 12, 2025, the event was marketed as an unforgettable glow-in-the-dark Easter experience. According to the Facebook ad, attendees were told to: “Embark on an egg-citing adventure under the starry sky..." “Search high and low for luminescent treasures..." “Watch the park come alive with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors..." “A plethora of prizes and surprises await..." But in reality, it was more like the FYRE Festival of Easter egg hunts. One parent described the event as “no different than any free egg hunt at a church”—except this one cost $50 per family. Instead of a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, this event featured crying kids, confused parents, and a nonprofit operating in the dark, literally and figuratively. 👀 New LaDonna episodes are in the works — featuring new fake accounts, missing persons cases, and a sheriff caught in the crossfire. Stay tuned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 29

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22 min
APR 22

Faking Insanity

Can you really fake being insane—and get away with it? In this episode of PRETEND, host Javier Leiva sits down with forensic psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of mental health evaluations in the criminal justice system. We explore how some criminals try to game the system, what psychologists look for when evaluating claims of mental illness, and why even experts can be fooled. Plus, we revisit infamous cases like Richard Speck, George Metesky (aka The Mad Bomber), Ted Bundy, and Ed Kemper to examine how psychology—and its blind spots—played a role in their investigations. Guest: Dr. Tristin Engels is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, published author, and co-host of the podcast Killer Minds. 👉 If you want more criminal psychology deep-dives, check out Dr. Engels’ podcast Killer Minds, where she breaks down infamous cases through the lens of a forensic expert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 22

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41 min
MAR 25

The Sham: I Married a Narcissist

In this episode of PRETEND, we meet “Ashley”—not her real name—who recorded hours of arguments with her husband in an effort to understand what was happening inside her marriage. From the outside, it looked like petty spats over groceries or laundry. But when you hear the audio, you realize this was something darker. Ashley’s husband was emotionally abusive, manipulative, and battling addiction. It wasn’t until COVID lockdowns that his mask slipped and she could see who he really was. He used suicide threats to control her, drained her financially, and isolated her from support. And yet, as is often the case with narcissists, everyone else thought he was the victim. This is not one of the most outrageous stories we’ve told on PRETEND—but it’s one of the most common. It’s a story many people quietly live through and struggle to name. This is what emotional abuse sounds like. 🛑 Warning Signs of Narcissistic Abuse: Constant criticism or belittling (often about “small” things like chores or tone of voice) Love-bombing followed by extreme withdrawal or cruelty Gaslighting: making you question your memory, reality, or emotions Isolation from friends, family, or support systems Walking on eggshells to avoid setting them off Financial control or sabotage Using guilt, blame, or self-harm threats to manipulate behavior Alternating between praise and punishment Jealousy of your attention—especially toward children 📌 If you’re in a similar situation, here are resources that can help: National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.): 800-799-7233 or thehotline.org — Free, confidential, 24/7 Psychology Today Therapist Finder: psychologytoday.com Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Narcissist Abuse Recovery Support: DomesticShelters.org – Includes emotional abuse filters One Mom’s Battle: onemomsbattle.com – Focused on divorcing narcissists and protecting children Love is Respect (for younger listeners): loveisrespect.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 25

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55 min
APR 15

My Wife, the Ponzi Schemer

Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda—the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam. In this episode of PRETEND, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary employees, and a key investor who also happened to be a self-proclaimed witch and lottery winner. But here’s the twist: Linda isn’t just any con artist. She’s the sister of the woman who tried to steal Elvis Presley’s Graceland—something we covered in a previous episode of PRETEND. Yeah, this story just got a whole lot weirder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15

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36 min
FEB 19

Operation Cock Block

A group of women, all with eerily similar stories, say they were deceived—emotionally and financially—by the same man: William Sullivan. But instead of staying silent, they took matters into their own hands. They formed Operation Cock Block, a coordinated effort to expose what they claim were Sullivan’s deceptive tactics and warn others before they fell victim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 19

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52 min
FEB 25

Licensed to Kill part 1

What if your doctor wasn’t trying to save you, but trying to cash in on you? In this episode of Pretend, we uncover the shocking case of Dr. Thomas Weiner, an oncologist accused of prescribing years of brutal chemotherapy treatments to patients who may not have even had cancer. We follow the story of Scott Warwick, a man who was told he had stage 4 lung cancer and endured 11 years of toxic treatments—only to later learn there was no biopsy confirming his diagnosis. When Dr. Randy Sasich, a pulmonary critical care specialist, began questioning Weiner’s practices, he faced pushback, intimidation, and threats. But Weiner’s case isn’t unique. Across the country, doctors like Farid Fata, Jorge Zamora-Quezada, and Michael Swango have been caught exploiting patients for profit, exposing just how broken the U.S. healthcare system truly is. In this episode, we dive into: ✔️ How financial incentives reward doctors for prescribing unnecessary treatments ✔️ The loopholes in insurance billing that allow fraud to go undetected for years ✔️ The whistleblower who risked everything to expose the truth ✔️ The cult-like following that still defends Dr. Weiner 🔍 Sources & Additional Reading: ProPublica’s Investigative Report: "Eat What You Kill" : https://www.propublica.org/article/thomas-weiner-montana-st-peters-hospital-oncology 🎧 Next Time on Pretend: Meet a patient who underwent three years of cancer treatments—for cancer she never had. 🔔 Subscribe on Patreon or Pretend Plus for early access to Part 2: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985 📢 Follow us: @PretendPod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook 💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Leave a review or send us a message—we’d love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 25

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43 min
APR 8

I Married a Narcissist part 3

Trigger warning: This episode contains graphic discussions of emotional, financial, sexual, and physical abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised. When Lindsay first met him, he was charming, successful, and convincing—a financial advisor with all the right answers. What started as a storybook marriage quickly spiraled into a nightmare of manipulation, gaslighting, and escalating violence. In this episode of PRETEND, Lindsay opens up for the first time in a raw, unfiltered conversation. She walks us through the early warning signs she missed, the love bombing tactics used to win her over, and the slow, calculated process of control that followed. 💬 If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 8

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52 min

From cult leaders to con artists and undercover FBI agents, PRETEND exposes those pretending to be someone they're not.

4.7 (2243)

TRUE CRIME
Criminal Conduct is an investigative true-crime podcast series hosted by John Taylor and Javier Leiva. Season 1: The hosts look into the death of Michelle O'Connell, picking up the investigation where the murdered sleuth, Eli Washtock, left off. Season 2: The investigation of a rogue constable in Kentucky who is accused of planting drugs, stealing money, and shaking people down. Season 3: An American Serial Killer in Paradise: The story of serial killer William Holbert, aka "Wild Bill," and his victims. Season 4: Getting Away with Murder: The Death Investigation of Pravin Varughese Season 5: The Life and Death of Buffalo Jim Barrier

4.6 (1057)

TRUE CRIME
Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.

4.7 (84)

BUSINESS

PRETEND+ is a collection of true-crime podcasts created by Javier Leiva. Get exclusive content and bonus interviews from PRETEND, CRIMINAL CONDUCT, and THE PONZI PLAYBOOK.

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PRETEND+

Get exclusive episodes, early access, and more

Top Shows

The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 1

The Man Who Stole 200 Million Identities

2104: The Digital Pickpocket Revisted

LaDonna's Easter Egg Hustle

Faking Insanity

The Sham: I Married a Narcissist

My Wife, the Ponzi Schemer

Operation Cock Block

Licensed to Kill part 1

I Married a Narcissist part 3

Get exclusive episodes, early access, and more

The Stalker - Fly on the Wall (part 15)

The Stalker part 3

The Stalker part 1

The Stalker - Interview with the Doctor (part 16)

The Stalker - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (part 17)

The Stalker part 5

The Stalker part 9

The Stalker part 12

The Stalker part 2

Return of the Stalker (part 20)

About

PRETEND+

Get exclusive episodes, early access, and more

Top Shows

Top Episodes

The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 1

The Man Who Stole 200 Million Identities

2104: The Digital Pickpocket Revisted

LaDonna's Easter Egg Hustle

Faking Insanity

The Sham: I Married a Narcissist

My Wife, the Ponzi Schemer

Operation Cock Block

Licensed to Kill part 1

I Married a Narcissist part 3

PRETEND+

Get exclusive episodes, early access, and more

Top PRETEND+ Episodes

The Stalker - Fly on the Wall (part 15)

The Stalker part 3

The Stalker part 1

The Stalker - Interview with the Doctor (part 16)

The Stalker - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (part 17)

The Stalker part 5

The Stalker part 9

The Stalker part 12

The Stalker part 2

Return of the Stalker (part 20)

About