Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast Ex-Fraudsters Break Down the Smartest and Dumbest Scams
Mar 13, 2026
Zack, an ex-fraud practitioner who explains operational cons, and John Boseak, a former scam operator who shares in-practice stories, break down identity, instant-credit, title and money-movement schemes. They discuss fake IDs, social engineering, online instant-credit tricks, property and title fraud mechanics, laundering methods, and how scams adapt to tech and law enforcement.
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Why Nigerian Inheritance Scams Still Succeed
- Nigerian prince style inheritance scams still work because victims believe they're getting a windfall and therefore override skepticism.
- Scammers increase success by lowering upfront asks (e.g., ~$450) and polishing law-firm-style paperwork to appear credible.
How An IRS Phone Scam Bilked $7,000 In Gift Cards
- A coworker went to a store, bought $7,000 in gift cards after an IRS phone scare, and handed them to the caller.
- John Boseak used this story to show how low-information or drug-affected people fall for phone scares.
Exploit Instant Credit With A Good Fake ID
- Use fake IDs plus instant-store credit to buy high-ticket items and have them delivered for resale or liquidation.
- Combine a purchased ID, LexisNexis mining, and clerk cooperation (receipt/swipe tricks) to get instant approvals.