Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast

Shamir Carrillo, a former street criminal turned entrepreneur, shares his riveting life story filled with theft, gang involvement, and reform. He vividly describes his early days of stealing to support his family and the drastic measures he took, including planning bank robberies with notes. Shamir recounts the tense moments of being hunted by rival gangs and choosing prison as a safer option. Now focused on education and trading futures, he passionately urges young people to learn from his mistakes and pursue legitimate paths.

Owen Hanson, a former USC athlete and convicted kingpin, shares his wild descent into the criminal underworld. He reveals how steroid use led to drug smuggling and high-stakes bookmaking, ultimately pulling in up to a million dollars a day. Owen recounts harrowing tales of cartel encounters and money laundering through casinos. After serving time, he transformed his life, creating California Ice Protein from prison and leveraging his story to build a legit business. His journey is a gripping mix of crime, survival, and redemption.

Scott Carney, an investigative journalist and author, dives deep into the murky waters of wellness fraud and organ trafficking. He reveals shocking truths about wellness influencers and their grifts. Carney uncovers the dark realities of organ brokering and discusses his findings on China's tissue-typing allegations. He shares how modern wellness scams mimic religious cons and critiques the monetization of hope among scientists and podcasters. Ultimately, he advocates for direct audience engagement and the power of independent storytelling.

Peter Falcon, a former career fraudster, shares his astonishing journey through millions of dollars in scams. He discusses early experiments with check fraud and the cunning tactics behind debit-card thefts. As he evolved into real estate fraud, Falcon details exploiting transfer-on-death deeds and forging documents to manipulate property ownership. His thrilling tales also cover police chases, close calls with investigations, and the eventual fallout of his actions. With raw honesty, he reflects on the cost of his life of crime and its impact on his relationships.

Khabir shares his transformation from software engineer to hacker at Boeing, revealing the intricate world of cybersecurity. He uncovers the dark art of social engineering, exposing how scammers manipulate their victims. The discussion dives into Boeing's internal culture and the fierce competition with Airbus, highlighting safety compromises. Additionally, Khabir recounts his transition to entrepreneurship after getting fired, leading to the creation of CreditFixrr, a credit repair solution harnessing AI technology. They also touch on the ethics around credit repair and personal experiences with credit challenges.

Jacob Diaz, a former American college student turned Mexican cartel operative, shares his gripping journey from poverty to the cartel's inner workings. He tells harrowing tales of meeting cartel associates and navigating violence and betrayal. Jacob discusses smuggling strategies, including strapping $20k to his body, and the surreal normalization of brutality in Mexico. He reflects on his arrest, courtroom surprises, and the ramifications of cartel life, offering a stark warning about the allure of the narco lifestyle.

Robert Reynolds, a small-business owner, recounts a chaotic dispute over a trailer that escalated into blackmail and an arrest. He shares how his ex-employees manipulated the situation, leading to allegations of theft and a public takedown by Sheriff Grady Judd. Discussion reveals flaws in the investigation, witness credibility issues, and the devastating impact on Robert’s business. Despite tempting plea offers, he stands firm, determined to clear his name and prepare for trial, shedding light on systemic corruption and the struggle for justice.

Beanshooter69, aka Mike Lee, is a former career criminal turned social media sensation, known for sharing wild tales of his past. In this episode, he recounts his journey from drug trafficking and bank robbery to prison life and eventual sobriety. Mike hilariously breaks down his notorious scams, brushes with law enforcement, and shocking family drama over a memoir. He highlights his transformation into a business owner and social media creator, showcasing how he thrives in his new life while reflecting on the dangers he faced in the criminal underworld.

Charles Finfrock, a former intelligence officer specializing in online radicalization, dives deep into the mechanisms of foreign interference and political violence. He shares insights on how social media platforms can breed extremism and examines the vulnerabilities of young adults in these contexts. Discussion includes the role of algorithms amplifying radical content and the tactics used by state-sponsored actors to groom potential recruits. Plus, they explore the psychological profiles of recent attackers and innovative ways to intervene and deradicalize individuals.

Jacob Gentry, a former inmate turned YouTuber, shares his captivating life story after serving time for an aggravated manslaughter conviction that was later overturned. He discusses a chilling psychic prediction that foreshadowed a traumatic turning point in his life. With raw honesty, Jacob recounts his tumultuous relationships, bar fights, and the protracted legal struggles he faced. He reveals insights from prison, including the power of positive thinking and his spiritual journey, culminating in his eventual exoneration and new projects on his YouTube channel.