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Artwork for The Perfect Scam

The Perfect Scam

AARP
Scams
AARP
Identity Theft
Romance Scams
Fraud Prevention
Fraud
AARP Fraud Watch Network
Cryptocurrency
Job Scams
Elder Abuse
Scam Baiting
FBI
Tech Support Scams
Scamming
Financial Fraud
Remote Work
Youtube
Reverse Mortgage
Cryptocurrency Scams
Online Scams

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes342Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Perfect Scam

Latest Episodes

Chris and Raquelle Judge market themselves as the next Chip and Joanna Gaines, showcasing custom homes and renovation projects across their social media channels. But behind the polished image, clients say problems emerge soon after construction begi... more

When Sheratan Johnson receives a call from an unknown number, she's startled to hear the man on the other end of the line claim he's kidnapped her daughter from gymnastics class. Hearing her daughter's screams, Sheraton follows all the kidnapper's de... more

In part two, residents of the upstate New York hamlet of Hamilton learn of a financial scandal that touches nearly every corner of the community. Burt Marshall offers investment accounts that promise 8% interest, and he's been paying the interest for... more

In the charming small town of Hamilton, New York, home of Colgate University, Burt Marshall is a well-known figure. He prepares taxes and sells insurance to many residents, sponsors local youth sports teams, and is frequently seen riding his bicycle ... more

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Recent Guests

Sheraton Johnson
Parent targeted in a virtual kidnapping scam
Episode: Archive Episode: The Virtual Kidnapping of a Gymnast
Lloyd Brumfield
Reporter who covered Sheraton Johnson's case for The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News
Episode: Archive Episode: The Virtual Kidnapping of a Gymnast
Rhonda Wynn
Victim of Burt Marshall's Ponzi scheme and lead testifier
Episode: Bad Neighbor: The Man Who Defrauded a Small Town, Part 2
Rachel Owen
Burt Marshall investor who organized donations to save a local cemetery
Episode: Bad Neighbor: The Man Who Defrauded a Small Town, Part 2
George Cowan
Victim of Burt Marshall's Ponzi scheme
Episode: Bad Neighbor: The Man Who Defrauded a Small Town, Part 2
Crystal Cowan
Wife of Burt Marshall victim George Cowan
Episode: Bad Neighbor: The Man Who Defrauded a Small Town, Part 2
Marie Springer
Professor who teaches white-collar crime and studies Ponzi schemes
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Episode: Bad Neighbor: The Man Who Defrauded a Small Town, Part 2
Gale Barr
Nurse practitioner, Goodyear, Arizona resident and scam victim
Individual
Episode: 70th Birthday Ruined by a Jury Duty Scam
Bianca Borono
Channel 12 News journalist who covered the story and reported on the Arizona crypto ATM law
Channel 12 News
Episode: 70th Birthday Ruined by a Jury Duty Scam

Host

Bob Sullivan
Host of The Perfect Scam and senior figure at AARP; oversees program and storytelling.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Music

    Would really enjoy the podcast but the overbearing music ruins it. We can not hear you talk because of the overpowering music!Please stop with the loud music. I’ll give you 5 stars when we can hear all the words! Just trying to hear the episode of the baby blanket and do many parts we can’t hear because of the music!! For Pete’s sake, turn it off! Please!!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    dki56
    United States19 days ago
  • Good podcast, too many gullible people

    The recent interview with the

    Minister who thought he was aiding a government money laundering operation was simply too crazy to swallow. Beyond gullible. Surprised the scammers didn’t get them to sell their house as well as empty all of their bank accounts.

    The moral is that those crypto ATMs should all be shut down.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Joe's View
    United States2 months ago
  • Good podcast, terrible episode

    The phone scam episode was simply too convoluted. The guest was hard to hear and it’s hard to believe a lot of the tale. Can’t imagine many people falling for this one.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Joe's View
    United States4 months ago
  • More crucial tips, please!

    Great show, very important. However, you have missed some important opportunities: for example, with the woman and the fake Facebook job, I wish you would’ve said, “if somebody asks you upfront for money as part of applying for a job, or after you have landed the job, IT IS A SCAM!” 100%.

    Also, I heard on another scam podcast that if somebody asks you to transfer money to and from crypto or use a crypto ATM, IT IS A SCAM! 100%.

    Putting money into a crypto ATM is ONLY USED FOR SCAMS. 100%. I l... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deborah K., Portland OR
    United States5 months ago
  • Important!

    Such a timely and compassionate podcast. Must listen for all especially our older friends and relatives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SqKat42
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the breadth of expert guests providing practical prevention tips.
Listeners praise the host's empathy and thoroughness in handling victims' stories.
Critiques note audio/production inconsistencies in some episodes and desire for more actionable takeaways.
Guests from regulatory and investigative fields are seen as credible and informative.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#222
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#238
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#127
Saudi Arabia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#190
Hong Kong/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#206
Singapore/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Archive Episode: The Virtual Kidnapping of a Gymnast
Q: What did Sheraton learn from her experience?
She advises people to know where loved ones are and maintain ways to contact them, so they can respond more effectively in an emergency.
Archive Episode: The Virtual Kidnapping of a Gymnast
Q: What did the caller want you to do there?
He directed Sheraton to deposit the money she had withdrawn into a specified account, which sent it to Mexico.
Bad Neighbor: The Man Who Defrauded a Small Town, Part 2
Q: What other red flags or things do you think consumers should notice when they think they're investing in something, but it might be a Ponzi scheme?
Springer advises investors to understand how profits are made, be cautious of explanations that are so complex they confuse rather than inform, and distrust promises of guaranteed returns higher than traditional investments can provide.
Bad Neighbor: The Man Who Defrauded a Small Town, Part 2
Q: What are the connections between what Bernie Madoff did and what Burt Marshall did?
Springer says both men were trusted go-to figures in their communities or industries, and both maintained Ponzi schemes by paying investors for years. She notes that institutions were also harmed in both cases, although Madoff victims have received substantial reimbursement while Marshall's victims are unlikely to recover much.
Archive Episode: How Scammers Could Sell Your Land (Without You Knowing)
Q: What role do professionals play in preventing these scams?
Real estate agents, brokers, lawyers, and title companies must perform due diligence, verify identities, and rely on secure, verifiable processes; regulators and law enforcement should also respond promptly to any red flags.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Perfect Scam

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

A data-driven look at scams that span everything from romance and investment fraud to disaster-related schemes, narrated with empathy toward victims and practical guidance from experts. Episodes frequently blend survivor stories with regulatory, investigative, and technical insights, highlighting red flags, prevention tips, and the broader social impact of fraud on families and communities. A standout aspect is the breadth of guests, from family members and journalists to FTC and FBI experts, utilities advocates, and AI safety researchers, which helps listeners understand both the human toll and systemic responses. Potential listeners looking for real-world scam narratives paired with actionable prevention strategies will likely find it esp... more

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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. The Opportunist
4. Swindled
5. Chameleon

How many episodes of The Perfect Scam are there?

The Perfect Scam launched 9 years ago and published 342 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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What guests have appeared on The Perfect Scam?

Recent guests on The Perfect Scam include:

1. Sheraton Johnson
2. Lloyd Brumfield
3. Rhonda Wynn
4. Rachel Owen
5. George Cowan
6. Crystal Cowan
7. Marie Springer
8. Gale Barr

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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