
PRETEND 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 | 356 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | TechnologyTrue Crime | |||

My cousin spent 23 years in an Illinois prison for a crime she says she didn't know she was committing. She was 33 when a judge handed down a 60-year sentence. She would have been 93 before she saw the outside again.
This episode is personal.
In "O... more
Content Warning: This episode contains detailed descriptions of nursing home neglect, including accounts of residents found in unsanitary conditions. Listener discretion is advised.
You're about to hear the story of a man who built a nursing home em... more
Introducing Season Seven of Nobody Should Believe Me. Andrea revisits the case of Maya Kowalski—the story at the center of the Netflix film Take Care of Maya–and the family’s high-profile lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. What be... more
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
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I greatly like the way M. Leiva dismantles the psychopathic con artist's arguments.
Incredibly biased in his comments about Republicans. Always chasing the monetization.
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.
Loved Ladonna’s series. Dislike the Pro Abortion propaganda.
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.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #187 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #226 | |
Apple Podcasts | #159 | |
Apple Podcasts | #163 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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
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These podcasts share a similar audience with PRETEND:
1. Nobody Should Believe Me
2. The Opportunist
3. The Rachel Cancer Scam
4. Scamfluencers
5. Swindled
PRETEND launched 9 years ago and published 356 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on PRETEND include:
1. Geoffrey Potter
2. Jerry Bush
3. Kenito Wills
4. Christine Harnos
5. Rebecca Catalfu
6. Scott Warwick
7. Dr. Fareed Fata
8. Matthew Fenner
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