The Perfect Scam

Have you ever thought about who might be on the other end of those scam calls and messages we all receive? The answer could be far more sinister than you might imagine. The "scammer" may also be a victim of human trafficking. These people are lured by the promise of well-paid jobs to travel to countries in Southeast Asia and are then forced to work in prison-like scam compounds. A BBC journalist and brave volunteers work to expose this brutal practice.

M, a former teacher turned recent MBA graduate, shares her harrowing experience with a remote-work startup scam that promised a fulfilling role in women's empowerment but left her without paychecks. She describes the alarming red flags, escalating excuses from the founder, and the emotional fallout of losing her hard-earned wages. Toni Prana, a Career Services Manager at FlexJobs, provides insights into common remote job scams, emphasizing red flags like unrealistic pay and copycat websites, helping job seekers navigate this risky landscape.

Amy Nofziger, Sr. Director of Victim Support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network™, stops by The Perfect Scam to discuss some new variations on old scams and the tactics criminals are using to exploit our vulnerabilities during this busy time of year. Learn what you should never do if you receive a mysterious package and why you should always hang on to those little receipts that come with your gift card purchases. Amy also shares the latest AARP research on holiday scams.

Hilarie, a dedicated Philadelphia sports fan, plans a weekend doubleheader to attend both a Phillies and an Eagles game with a friend. After successfully purchasing Phillies tickets through a Facebook resale group, she uses the same method for Eagles tickets—only to discover the promised tickets never arrive. Meanwhile, the NFL notices a rise in ticket fraud and seeks assistance from the NYPD. Detective Mike McCaffrey identifies the culprit, Nikhil Mahtani, who has defrauded sports fans and stolen thousands of dollars in a massive, multi-state ticket scam spanning five years.

In this enlightening discussion, Dwight and Dodie Thomas recount their frantic efforts to save their mother, Linda, from a manipulative scammer posing as an FTC official. They share how attentive bank employees foiled the scam by questioning suspicious transactions and safeguarding Linda's funds. Jalene Gunther from AARP introduces the BankSafe initiative, emphasizing how training bank staff can prevent financial exploitation. Together, they highlight the importance of family communication and protective measures to combat scammers.

Philip Marshall, grandson of the glamorous philanthropist Brooke Astor, details his battle against financial elder abuse. He recounts the shocking transformation of a beloved matriarch into a victim, influenced by his father's controlling ways. Philip shares harrowing stories of clandestine staff meetings that revealed exploitation, alongside the painful sale of cherished family art. He describes the legal struggles for guardianship and the emotional toll of pursuing justice, all while navigating complex familial emotions and the fight for elder protection.

Jana Cash, a Florida resident and recent victim of a jury-duty impersonation scam, shares her harrowing experience of being coerced into paying a $9,000 bond under false pretenses. She discusses the emotional turmoil this scam inflicted on her and her family. Joining her is Steve Wiseman, a professor specializing in white-collar crime, who explains the psychological tactics scammers use, including spoofing and isolation. He highlights the dangers of cryptocurrency ATMs in scams and offers practical advice on preventing such attacks.

Glenn Fishman, a Denver real estate agent and early crypto investor, shares his harrowing tale of losing $180,000 to a sophisticated phishing scam. He recounts receiving a convincing 'Coinbase support' call that led him to unwittingly hand over his account details. Molly White, a former software engineer and crypto skeptic, discusses the alarming rise of similar scams and the lack of consumer protections in cryptocurrency. Together, they highlight the complexities of recovering stolen funds and the challenges that victims face.

When a couple pulls up to Gene's North Carolina home looking for their beagle puppy, he is not sure what to make of it. But soon, a steady stream of would-be pet owners arriving in the following days and weeks makes it clear that criminals are using his address to pull off their scams. Gene is patient and helpful with the disappointed families. Even after a fire destroys Gene's home, the scams continue

Christine Kiefer, Senior Director at FINRA's Office of Investor Education, dives deep into the world of task scams that are preying on job seekers. She highlights the psychological tactics used by scammers, like gamification and emotional manipulation, that keep victims hooked. Listeners learn valuable red flags to watch for, such as unusual account demands and rapid payment requests. Christine emphasizes the need for vigilance and verification, as she outlines how to protect oneself from falling victim to job-related fraud.