Scams & Cons Jim Grinstead

Every now and then we come across stories that are so unique or rare that they don't merit their own episode, but that doesn't mean they should be forgotten.

In this final episode of Season 4, we bring you stories of jetpacks, sucker lists and counterfeit whiskey. They have nothing in common except that they're interesting and they fool thousands.



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Unfortunately, the world has endless examples of people in need. The ones that real deserve our consideration, but the ones that are false ... those are the ones that deprive others of help they may desperately need.

Whether it's a person seeking help for a relative who has cancer, a homeless man who gave up his lasts $20 to help a stranger or those jars you see in convenience stores seeking aid for someone in your community, you can bet there are scammers ready to count on your kindness to keep their wallets full.

We'll tell you how it works, but don't let that stop you from being a good person. Just be sure the help you want to give goes to those with the need.
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The "War of the Worlds" broadcast. The "Fountain of Youth." The "Cardiff Giant."

Odds are you have heard of at least two of these three scams, but it's also likely you don't know the whole story. Even textbooks get it wrong. Don't worry, we're here to help.

We'll set you straight, despite what's in your fourth-grader's history book.

The Cardiff Giant
The Farmer's Museum
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum



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If you want to fool thousands, you have to be able to reach thousands and mass media is built just for that purpose.

Companies and pranksters have longed used these tools to peddle their tales, but don't be deceived. They still want your money -- they just want to distract you while they talk you out of it.
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How would you feel if a person who had the power to destroy the world had a debilitating medical condition. Would you vote for them, unsure how they would perform in a crisis? Politicians don't want to find out, so they keep secret vital information the public needs to make informed choices.

And what about a senator, who had legally been deemed incompetent by a judge because of her dementia, continued to vote on public issues for four months?

And there is the president who chose to have a risky surgery at sea to keep the press from finding out.

Individually, we're entitled to medical privacy, but when a medical condition impacts our safety, we deserve a vote.

Listen in and hear the excuses public officials share about why they believed deception was in the public interest.
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Two brothers turned their bar into a political machine that ruled Kansas City. From 1925 to 1939, the Pendergast brothers lined many pockets -- mostly their own -- by controlling public projects and contracts.

They ran the city, the county, the state and, eventually, helped Harry Truman into the White House.

We'll tell you how it was done, how taxpayers were aware of it and why they went along.
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