IAFCI Presents... The Protectors

IAFCI.org
  • 4.0 (65)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

From ATM Skimming to Human Trafficking, The Protectors Podcast takes you inside the minds of criminals from around the world with leading experts and the investigators who put them behind bars.  Presented by the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI), and hosted by International President Mark Solomon and Chairman of the Board Michael Carroll. The Protectors is a bi-weekly podcast that aims to educate consumers on the fraud, financial, and cybercriminal activities that are happening every second of every day.  Don’t become the next victim. The host's and guest's opinions are their own and do not reflect those of management, employers, or sponsors. Listeners are encouraged to contact local or state law enforcement if they suspect being a victim of a crime.

  1. MAR 25

    The AI Fraud Wave Is Here: Connor Heaton on Deepfakes, Scams, and the End of Trust as We Know It.

    Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing the world, it’s changing how fraud works. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with Connor Heaton, Program Manager at CivAI, to explore how AI is already being used to power the next generation of scams, deepfakes, and highly personalized social engineering attacks. From voice cloning and video deepfakes to AI-generated phishing campaigns that eliminate traditional red flags, Connor breaks down how quickly the threat landscape is evolving - and why many of the warning signs we’ve relied on for years are disappearing. We also dive into where these tools are coming from, who is most at risk right now, and what individuals, financial institutions, and law enforcement can do to stay ahead. This isn’t a conversation about the future. It’s happening right now. And the question is no longer if AI will impact fraud, it’s how prepared are we when it does. The Protectors Podcast - Protection From the Frauds You Never See Coming. GUEST CONTACT INFO:Connor Heaton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorheaton/ CivAI Website: https://civai.org/ Google: "AI Misuse/Threat Reports" Links to the latest Misuse Reports: https://www.anthropic.com/news/disrupting-AI-espionagehttps://cdn.openai.com/pdf/df438d70-e3fe-4a6c-a403-ff632def8f79/disrupting-malicious-uses-of-ai.pdfhttps://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/distillation-experimentation-integration-ai-adversarial-use?e=48754805________________________________ IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/ Phone: 916-939-5000 Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

    43 min

  2. MAR 11

    Brackets and Billions: Dr. Declan Hill on Micro-Betting and the New Gambling Economy

    March Madness brings more than buzzer-beaters and busted brackets — it’s also one of the biggest sports betting moments of the year. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark welcome back Dr. Declan Hill, a leading researcher and author who has spent years studying the global sports betting industry, for a follow-up conversation about the forces shaping modern wagering. From the rise of micro-betting to the reality of frictionless gambling on our phones, Declan explains how technology and massive betting markets are changing the landscape of sports faster than most fans realize. As March Madness captures the nation’s attention, this conversation is more relevant than ever. The Protectors Podcast - Protection From the Frauds You Never See Coming. GUEST CONTACT INFO:Dr. Declan Hill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declanhill/ Dr. Declan Hill - Substack: https://declanhill.substack.com/?utm_source=discover_search Crime Waves Podcast: https://www.crimewavespodcast.com/home Gamblers Anonymous: https://gamblersanonymous.org/ National Problem Gambling Helpline: https://www.ncpgambling.org _______________________________ IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/ Phone: 916-939-5000 Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

    28 min

  3. FEB 25

    Love, Lies, and Déjà Vu: Bernie Returns with Mental Health Expert Cassandra O’Hara

    This episode of The Protectors Podcast is a tough one. Today, Mike and Mark welcome back Bernie — a past guest who bravely shared how he was targeted in a romance scam. Now he’s back… because it happened again. How does this happen twice, and why do these schemes succeed — even when we believe we’re smarter than the last attempt? Also joining us is licensed professional counselor Cassandra O’Hara, who helps break down the psychological side of romance fraud — why it’s so powerful, how manipulation works, and what Bernie — and anyone listening — can do moving forward. Because romance scams aren’t about being foolish. They’re about being human. The Protectors Podcast - Helping You Spot the Scam Before It Starts. GUEST CONTACT INFO:Cassandra Dessureau-O'Hara: https://www.mjabehavioralhealthandwellness.com/cassandra-dessureau-ohara-lpc IC3.gov: https://www.ic3.gov/ ________________________________ IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/ Phone: 916-939-5000 Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com Companies mentioned in this episode: IAFCIUniversity of BridgeSacred Heart UniversityNational Board of Certified CounselorsAmerican Counseling AssociationConnecticut Counseling Association

    43 min

  4. FEB 11

    The Case That Wouldn’t Stay Closed: Kelly Gowe Returns

    On this episode of The Protectors Podcast, hosts Mike and Mark welcome back Kelly Gowe, whose mother was the victim of a devastating romance scam that ended in tragedy. Since her last appearance, Kelly, working with members of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, has uncovered critical details that were previously missed. Her pursuit of truth has not only advanced her mother’s case but also led her to found a foundation dedicated to preventing romance scams and supporting victims. Kelly is launching her new podcast, Girl with a Microphone, which documents her journey into what she describes as real crime in real time. This conversation is about resilience, accountability, and refusing to let the truth stay buried. GUEST CONTACT INFO:4041 Foundation: https://4041foundation.org/ IC3.gov: https://www.ic3.gov/ ________________________________ IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/ Phone: 916-939-5000 Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

    43 min

  5. JAN 28

    When the Game Is Rigged: Declan Hill Exposes Sports Betting’s Dark Side

    Today on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark welcome back one of their most compelling guests — Dr. Declan Hill of the University of New Haven. A world-leading expert on sports gambling, match-fixing, and organized crime in athletics, Declan joins us to break down how legal betting, corporate media, and underground networks are colliding in ways most fans never see. If you love sports, this conversation will change how you watch the game. The Protectors Podcast - Real Investigators. Real Crimes. Real Protection. GUEST CONTACT INFO:Dr. Declan Hill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declanhill/ Dr. Declan Hill - Substack: https://declanhill.substack.com/?utm_source=discover_search Crime Waves Podcast: https://www.crimewavespodcast.com/home Gamblers Anonymous: https://gamblersanonymous.org/ ________________________________ IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/ Phone: 916-939-5000 Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

    51 min

  6. JAN 14

    Pause, Reflect, Protect: AARP's Kathy Stokes on Stopping Fraud In It's Tracks

    This week on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark are joined by Kathy Stokes, AARP’s national fraud prevention authority, for a powerful look at the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center (NEFCC) — a groundbreaking program uniting law enforcement agencies nationwide to track, connect, and prosecute complex elder fraud cases. Kathy reveals how coordinated intelligence is leading to real arrests and real prison time - and shares AARP’s scam defense methods designed to keep Americans protected. Tune in — because if this information doesn’t protect you, it may protect someone you love. The Protectors Podcast - Protection For You and Those You Love. GUEST CONTACT INFO:Kathy Stokes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-stokes/ National Elder Fraud Coordination Center: https://www.fightelderfraud.org/ Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/ Show Notes:Pause, Reflect, Protect: Remember These Steps! ________________________________ IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/ Phone: 916-939-5000 Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

    26 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    Looking Back, Moving Forward : A Protectors Recap of 2025

    In this special New Year’s Eve episode of The Protectors Podcast, the team comes together for a year-in-review conversation reflecting on the cases, conversations, and insights that defined the past year. Hosts Mark and Mike are joined by Executive Producer Doug Taylor and Editor-in-Chief Chris Warner to revisit standout moments with expert guests who helped shed light on today’s most complex financial crimes. The discussion highlights key themes, lessons learned, and how the show continues to evolve. The episode also looks ahead to the coming year, teasing new perspectives, deeper investigations, and powerful voices listeners can expect next. It’s a thoughtful close to the year — and a compelling setup for what’s ahead. The Protectors Podcast — Educating and Protecting, All Year Long. _______________________________ IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/ Phone: 916-939-5000 Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

    48 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Healthcare Fraud: The Crime No One Sees Coming — with Det. Mark DiBone

    In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with Detective Mark DiBone from the Maricopa County Police Department in Arizona to talk about a type of crime we haven’t spent much time on before — healthcare fraud. Mark walks them through a real case involving stolen identity, insurance fraud, and fraudulent medical billing that added up to nearly half a million dollars. It’s a complex web of deception that impacts hospitals, insurers, and most importantly, innocent victims. These crimes happen every day, quietly piling up hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent debt nationwide. Tune in — this is an eye-opening episode you won’t want to miss. The Protectors Podcast — Inside the Investigations That Protect Us All. GUEST CONTACT INFO:Mark DiBone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdibone/ Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/ Identity Theft - What to Do Next: Inform the three major Credit Bureaus Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) File a Police Report ________________________________ IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/ Phone: 916-939-5000 Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

    31 min
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From ATM Skimming to Human Trafficking, The Protectors Podcast takes you inside the minds of criminals from around the world with leading experts and the investigators who put them behind bars.  Presented by the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI), and hosted by International President Mark Solomon and Chairman of the Board Michael Carroll. The Protectors is a bi-weekly podcast that aims to educate consumers on the fraud, financial, and cybercriminal activities that are happening every second of every day.  Don’t become the next victim. The host's and guest's opinions are their own and do not reflect those of management, employers, or sponsors. Listeners are encouraged to contact local or state law enforcement if they suspect being a victim of a crime.

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