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Artwork for The Perfect Scam

The Perfect Scam

AARP
Scams
Identity Theft
Fraud
AARP Fraud Watch Network
Mary Marr
Scamming
Russian Mob
AARP
Kitboga
Scambaiting
Social Media Imposters
Social Media Impersonation
Personal Security
Homeland Security Investigations
Investment Scams
FBI
Florida
Facebook
Luxury Car Crime Ring
Timeshare

AARP’s weekly podcast The Perfect ScamSM tells the stories of people who find themselves the target of a scam. Host Bob Sullivan introduces listeners to those who have experienced scams firsthand, as well as professional con artists and leading experts who pull back the curtain on how scammers operate.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes293Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Perfect Scam

Latest Episodes

Wall Street Journal reporter Robert McMillan and FBI agent Joe Hooper recount the story of Christina Chapman, a Minnesota woman who is drawn into the world of laptop farming. She is struggling to make ends meet, living in a trailer without running wa... more

In part 2, victims of a nationwide fraud scheme join forces on a Facebook group and share their stories with investigative journalist Lou Raguse of KARE in Minneapolis. Someone is selling water purification devices to entrepreneurs, who think they ar... more

Job seekers all over the country answer ads for sales positions at a water filtration company. The offer is promising, and the contracts look professional. The only catch is the initial $5000 investment in a water purification unit. However, when the... more

Online criminals love cryptocurrency for many reasons – it’s anonymous, can’t be traced, and payments are irreversible. So when Paul discovers he has been targeted by a crypto scam and the thieves have stolen $450,000, he is resigned to the fact that... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Charles Fields
Scammer behind the water filtration fraud scheme
Episode: Job Seekers Targeted in Water Filtration Job Scam, Part 2
Scott Simons
Detective with the Greenfield Police Department
Greenfield Police Department
Episode: The Crypto Detectives: Tracking Down Stolen Funds
Erin West
Founder of Operation Shamrock and former prosecutor
Operation Shamrock
Episode: The Crypto Detectives: Tracking Down Stolen Funds
Eva Rothman
Victim of a gold bar scam
Episode: All That Glitters is Not Gold: Gold Bar Scams
Lyle Rothman
Eva's nephew and Rabbi
Episode: All That Glitters is Not Gold: Gold Bar Scams
Detective Petty
Detective with Montgomery County Police, Financial Crimes Section
Montgomery County Police
Episode: All That Glitters is Not Gold: Gold Bar Scams
Michael Kakoulis
Owner of Portland Precious Metals and Coins
Episode: All That Glitters is Not Gold: Gold Bar Scams
Brian Grow
Investigative reporter with Reuters who uncovered the malpractices at Sunset Mesa Funeral Home.
Reuters
Episode: Archive Episode: Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 2
Shirley Hollenbeck
Victim who believed she cremated her husband at Sunset Mesa but discovered otherwise through the investigation.
Episode: Archive Episode: Colorado Funeral Home Body Brokering Scheme, Part 2

Host

Bob Sullivan
Host of The Perfect Scam, known for his engaging style and empathy towards victims of scams.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • 👍🏻👍🏻

    I thoroughly enjoy listening to the Perfect Scam in the car on my way to work when I have a 1-hour commute. The commute goes by fast & I learn something new every time. Bob Sullivan is the perfect host for this podcast…. The tone & volume of his voice, his empathy towards the victims, no matter how ridiculous the scam sounds, & his knowledge of the subject all contribute to the enjoyability factor. Once, I missed my exit, I was so engaged in the story!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    leslyjeanne
    United Statesa month ago
  • Cull the herd!

    If this guy running the show rewards and pardons con artists, why wouldn’t unscrupulous folks try to see what they can get away with! Environmental issues are hoaxes, former junkie and crackpot trying to take away cancer research and vaccines.

    No qualified people in any Cabinet position. Goons kidnap citizens off the street. Obese folks need to pay for gauged script, he’s trying to place us in another Covid Epidemic. 600,000 deaths from last time not enough?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bill from Dux
    United Statesa month ago
  • Keanu Reeves Scam

    It’s hard to feel compassionate for such foolishness. Diane handed everything over to the scammer through one terrible decision after another. When is some level of personal responsibility expected? She handed over her paychecks. Gave out her bank account info…sold her home and car. ??? Truly mind boggling. I question her sanity.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Su zie K
    United States2 months ago
  • Excellent podcast

    Great stories. Great information. Bob is the best host for the show. Everything is what u want in a podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Xxxxxxxxooooooooo
    United States3 months ago
  • Episode 99

    My name is Kristen, daughter of Charlotte Robinette, who was the subject of episode 99. Thank you for telling our story and getting this information out there. It was one of the worst experiences that my mom went through, and myself as well. My mom is a saint, and would do anything to care for her children and her “adopted” children.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Khamm1366
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are concerns about the podcast's audio quality, particularly regarding music overpowering the dialogue.
Many find the content enlightening and crucial for understanding the complexities of scams in today's digital age.
The host is lauded for his engaging storytelling and ability to connect with the audience emotionally.
Listeners appreciate the empathy shown towards victims and the educational aspects of the stories shared.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#247
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#246
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#151
Brazil/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#203
United Arab Emirates/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#245
Taiwan/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Archive Episode: International Crime Ring Sets Up in West Virginia College Town
Q: Did any of them get emotional during your conversations?
Yes, one individual became very upset due to the pressure from home and the fear of potential threats to family back in Nigeria.
Archive Episode: International Crime Ring Sets Up in West Virginia College Town
Q: What drew you to this kind of work?
Katie Robeson expresses that growing up in a family involved in law enforcement inspired her desire to become a prosecutor and make a positive impact through her work.
VIN Cloning Scams: What Car Buyers Need to Know
Q: What is VIN cloning?
VIN cloning is identity theft but for cars, where a stolen vehicle's VIN is copied onto a legitimate vehicle.
Title Pirates: How Scammers Use Quitclaim Deeds to Steal Homes
Q: How can homeowners protect themselves against property fraud?
Homeowners can register for property alert notifications from their local clerk's office to get instant alerts about changes to property records.
Title Pirates: How Scammers Use Quitclaim Deeds to Steal Homes
Q: How might a criminal use a quit claim deed to steal someone's home?
Criminals can file a quit claim deed using forged signatures or fake identities to transfer ownership illegally and profit financially.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Perfect Scam

What is The Perfect Scam about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the harrowing experiences of individuals who have fallen victim to various sophisticated scams. Each episode features personal narratives that highlight emotional repercussions, financial loss, and the manipulation tactics employed by con artists. Topics range from gold bar scams to online romance schemes and fraudulent body brokering operations. In addition, expert insights are provided, aiding in understanding both the psychological impact on victims and the broader implications of such crimes. A noteworthy feature is the emphasis on empathy towards victims, allowing for engaging yet educational discussions on the nature of scams and how to recognize and avoid them.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Perfect Scam?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Perfect Scam. 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 The Perfect Scam and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Perfect Scam get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Perfect Scam?

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How many subscribers and views does The Perfect Scam have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Perfect Scam 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 The Perfect Scam?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Perfect Scam:

1. American Greed Podcast
2. Scamfluencers
3. Swindled
4. The Opportunist
5. Scams, Money, & Murder

How many episodes of The Perfect Scam are there?

The Perfect Scam launched 8 years ago and published 293 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 The Perfect Scam?

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 The Perfect Scam?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Perfect Scam from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Perfect Scam?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Perfect Scam. 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 The Perfect Scam?

Recent guests on The Perfect Scam include:

1. Charles Fields
2. Scott Simons
3. Erin West
4. Eva Rothman
5. Lyle Rothman
6. Detective Petty
7. Michael Kakoulis
8. Brian Grow

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.

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