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 | 352 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | True CrimeTechnology | |||
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Latest Episodes
You know that little bottle of 5-Hour Energy sitting on the counter of almost every gas station in America? Someone was faking it. Millions of bottles, mixed by hand in a filthy warehouse by day laborers with no training, no sanitation licenses, and ... more
Twelve days. That’s how long David Gentile spent in federal prison for a $1.8 billion fraud that wiped out the retirement savings of 17,000 people.
On Thanksgiving 2025, President Trump signed a one-page clemency grant, commuting Gentile’s seven-yea... more
Jerry Bush was a plumber from Virginia with fourteen employees, a wife battling cancer, and a business his father built from nothing. When a big construction job left him waiting on $350,000 he'd already earned, he did what you'd probably do. He look... more
CONTENT WARNING: Graphic content. Listener discretion is advised.
Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey — Revisited
A lot of people ask: where should I start if I just discovered PRETEND? The answer is always LaDonna.
It’s been almost two years since t... more
Key Facts
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Recent Guests
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Reviews
- Yawn.
Couldn't help yourself could you? As soon as I saw ICE with some lame pretense I knew it was over for this podcast. So cliche.
Apple Podcasts1itwasntmesir45
United States2 months ago - Agenda
Loved Ladonna’s series. Dislike the Pro Abortion propaganda.
Apple Podcasts1LifeWithKaishonUnited States2 months ago - Great Podcast!
Such a great Podcast! Well researched and great stories. You get a pretty good look into the void of human failings but also of the resilience people have to fight their way back to life and happiness. Highly recommend this one.
👍 from Berlin, Germany.
Apple Podcasts5Amanita Caesarea
Germany2 months ago - Oh, I get it now!
It’s called Pretend because he is pretending to interview people while he is actually using audio recorded by someone else!
Seriously, once you hear it it’s so obvious
Apple Podcasts1112235813United States2 months ago - Operation “Banana Cream Pie” Reveal.
So disappointing. That cliffhanger hanger was really lame. Come on Javier….
Apple Podcasts1nddhdjjsjdUnited 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 | #122 | United States/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #124 |  United Kingdom/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #240 |  Canada/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #246 |  Australia/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #58 |  Ireland/True Crime |
Apple Podcasts | #78 |  Brazil/True Crime |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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?
Exploring the deceptive underbelly of human interaction, this investigative true crime podcast unveils stories of con artists and their victims, shedding light on the psychological mechanisms of manipulation. Each episode is a gripping tale that details real cases, from financial fraud to emotional scams, emphasizing the complexities of deceit without victim-blaming. Listeners can expect well-researched narratives that blend ethical journalism with engaging storytelling, offering insights into how and why such deceptions occur, while also reflecting on their impact on society. The podcast's unique focus on the human side of fraud and betrayal sets it apart, making it a compelling listen for those interested in the intricacies of trust and d... more
Where can I find podcast stats for PRETEND?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for PRETEND. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to PRETEND and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
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. Swindled
5. Something Was Wrong
How many episodes of PRETEND are there?
PRETEND launched 9 years ago and published 352 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?
Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.
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.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for PRETEND?
Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of PRETEND. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.
What guests have appeared on PRETEND?
Recent guests on PRETEND include:
1. Jerry Bush
2. Kenito Wills
3. Christine Harnos
4. Rebecca Catalfu
5. Scott Warwick
6. Dr. Fareed Fata
7. Matthew Fenner
8. Bill Petrich
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.