PRETEND
Creative Babble, LLCPRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web. Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons PRETEND explains how and ... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 365 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | True CrimeTechnology | |||
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Latest Episodes
In Part 6, the FBI comes knocking.
Rony Denis and his top associates allegedly defrauded the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and military veterans out of more than $23.5 million. The House of Prayer Bible Seminary looked like a school. Veterans ... more
Rony Denis wasn't just the spiritual leader at the House of Prayer Christian Church... He was their god.
In Part 5, former members start connecting the dots on how Rony Denis consolidated control, and it's worse than you think. He ordered members to... more
I teamed up with Carter Roy for a special guest collaboration on Murder: True Crime Stories and this one is something else. For the full episode, follow Murder: True Crime Stories on your favorite podcast app: pod.link/1745145932In November 2... more
Note: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse and psychological manipulation.
It started with a revolt. Thirty ministers walked out of NTCC mid-service and never looked back. They thought they were done with high-control leadershi... more
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Reviews
- Love your podcast
Javier, I love your podcast and the work you put into your stories. I have a very small critique which might be out of your control… can you order your podcasts from most recent at the top to oldest at the bottom? And if I am doing something wrong please forgive me for being ignorant. I enjoy all the reporting -Thank you
Apple Podcasts5KMJ636
United Statesa month ago - Fantastic Show
I found out about this from Swindled podcast. It's really well done. Javier is great at finding interesting stories that are not in the news or on other podcasts.
Apple Podcasts5BpricelbcUnited Statesa month ago - Accuracy
Listening to the recap of some of the greatest podcast episodes: appreciate your passion, but disappointed by mispronounced names and omissions (i.e. the Mystery Show creator is Starlee “KINE,” not “Klein” and Love + Radio is made by Nick van der Kolk, who is a legendary audio story maker and deserves credit for his award-winning work)
Apple Podcasts2Curlyfish 3000United Statesa month ago - Pretend tells it like it is
The Pretend podcast has, since the very beginning, highlighted people who are not what they say they are. In some cases, this involves minor cases of fraud or identity theft. In other cases, it involves hypocrisy in people in positions of authority. In all situations, the host reports facts and invites comment from those he criticizes. Fair, honest, and incisive.
Apple Podcasts5edseljoeUnited Statesa month ago - Too political
I used to really like this podcast. It’s become way too political now and I won’t listen again till he gets back to good story telling. Disappointed in the direction he is going.
Apple Podcasts1TMS51United States2 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #158 | United States/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #194 |  Canada/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #215 |  United Kingdom/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #225 |  Australia/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #173 |  Philippines/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #40 | Philippines/True Crime |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About PRETEND
What is PRETEND about and what kind of topics does it cover?
- PRETEND is a true crime investigative series focused on deception, scams, and manipulation, with cinematic storytelling and ethical journalism that centers victims. Across recent episodes, the show investigates coercive control in high‑control groups, romance scam networks, and white‑collar fraud, often blending survivor testimony, expert context, and procedural details to expose how manipulation operates in online and offline spaces. Notable throughlines include the psychology of con artists, the mechanics of recruitment and financial control, and the ongoing challenge of holding perpetrators accountable without shaming victims. The show frequently ties individual cases to broader themes around power, money, and accountability, and tends... more
Where can I find podcast stats for PRETEND?
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How many listeners does PRETEND get?
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What are the audience demographics for PRETEND?
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How many subscribers and views does PRETEND have?
To see how many followers or subscribers PRETEND has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to PRETEND?
These podcasts share a similar audience with PRETEND:
1. Nobody Should Believe Me
2. The Opportunist
3. Scamfluencers
4. The Rachel Cancer Scam
5. Swindled
How many episodes of PRETEND are there?
PRETEND launched 9 years ago and published 365 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact PRETEND?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for PRETEND?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for PRETEND from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
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What guests have appeared on PRETEND?
Recent guests on PRETEND include:
1. Javier Leiva
2. Victor Johanson
3. Marissa Giammanco
4. Elise Giammanco
5. Sarah DeJonghe
6. Andrew Shelton
7. Roger Davis
8. Michael Kekel
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.