Rephonic
Artwork for The Ponzi Playbook
Ponzi Scheme
Financial Fraud
Ponzi Schemes
Fraud
SEC
White Collar Crime
Drive Planning
Todd Burkhalter
Janet Yamanaka Mello
Dawn Bennett
FBI
Ferdinand Ward
Money Laundering
Ulysses S. Grant
Criminal Justice
Rehabilitation
Private Investments
Linda Livolsi
Luxury Real Estate
US Army

Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes27Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for The Ponzi Playbook

Latest Episodes

Meet Janet Yamanaka Mello—better known as the "Gucci Goddess." She wasn’t your typical fraudster. Dripping in designer labels, driving luxury cars, and amassing an absurd collection of real estate, she managed to siphon off over $100 million from the... more

YouTube

This is an Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. It originally aired on the PRETEND podcast.

Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda, the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam.

In this episode, Bill o... more

YouTube

What happens after the feds kick in your door?

In this special bonus episode of The Ponzi Playbook, we sit down with white-collar defense attorney Elliot Sol Abrams—partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams—for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at wha... more

YouTube

What if you could create thousands of songs using AI… and make millions off them without a single fan? That’s exactly what prosecutors say Michael Smith did.

In this episode of The Ponzi Playbook, Javier and Neal are joined by criminal defense attor... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Bill Livolsi
A man involved in a Ponzi-like scheme orchestrated by his wife, Linda
RGM Enterprises
Episode: 23: My Wife, The Ponzi Schemer
Elliot Sol Abrams
Criminal defense attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina
Episode: 22. The Ponzi Defense: Elliot Abrams on White-Collar Legal Tactics
Elliot Abrams
Criminal defense attorney
Episode: 21: The AI Hitmaker: Michael Smith’s $10 Million Stream Scheme
Jeff Grant
Founder of the White Collar Support Group
Episode: The White Collar Support Group
Tom Harden
FBI informant known as Tipper X and former hedge fund manager
Episode: The White Collar Support Group
Matthew Motil
Known as the Cash Flow King and self-proclaimed expert in real estate investing.
Episode: 15: The Cash Flow King: The Ponzi Podcaster Matthew Motil
Nicole Brass
Former escort from Long Island, New York, who recounts her experience with Rex Heuerman
Episode: The Red Collar Killer part 1
Frank Perri
Attorney, CPA, and certified fraud examiner, who coined the term 'red collar crime'
Episode: The Red Collar Killer part 1

Hosts

Neal McTighe
Host of The Ponzi Playbook, known for engaging storytelling of financial crimes and insightful discussions about Ponzi schemes.
Javier Leiva
Host of The Ponzi Playbook and PRETEND podcast, appreciated for his storytelling skills and engaging style.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 166 ratings
  • Uncool Jokers

    This coverage lacks insightful analysis and creativity. The music is goofy.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Pizza Seagull
    Finland6 months ago
  • Two shows… no Ponzi.

    You guys come back from a long, long break and within a couple shows you have two in a row that have nothing to do with Ponzi schemes? There’s no shortage of stories on these.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Ccloud1611
    United States7 months ago
  • Interesting and Well Told

    Love this show! Javier has a few other shows that are great as well, but this one is my favorite because it’s a little more laid back (just my personal preference). Javier and Neal have a good rapport and they tell the story with out trying to wildly sensationalize an already wild story. Worth a listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lylablades
    United States2 years ago
  • Yes

    As a fellow fan of scams and scheme's these guys nail it! Plus they have a good flow of

    Conversation and they don’t to do much irrelevant off topic chatter which drives me nuts on other podcasts so thanks guys and keep

    Up the good work I already binged them all!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    buffy3737
    United States2 years ago
  • Lambo

    Lambo Lambo Lambo Lambo Lambo

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sheesha24
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some reviews mention concerns about pacing and structure, suggesting a desire for more clarity in certain discussions.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and informative content around Ponzi schemes, highlighting the serious implications of financial fraud.
Many enjoy the hosts' rapport and the way they blend humor with serious themes, making complex legal and financial issues accessible to the audience.
Overall, the podcast is recognized for shedding light on the darker aspects of financial fraud in an entertaining way.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#106
Austria/Business

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

21: The AI Hitmaker: Michael Smith’s $10 Million Stream Scheme
Q: What are the legal implications for Michael Smith concerning the AI music generation and streaming fraud?
The legal implications revolve around whether he knowingly violated terms of service and if there was any intention to defraud streaming platforms or other artists. It’s a complex question of whether his actions constitute fraud given the policies at the time.
The Red Collar Killer part 1
Q: Are all white collar offenders capable of committing violence?
Many people have the capacity for violence even if they haven't committed a crime, depending on various risk factors.
The Red Collar Killer part 1
Q: What do we, the public, get wrong about white collar offenders?
We often view them as one-shot criminals without any criminality in their background, which is incorrect. Many have a history of criminal behavior.
The Red Collar Killer part 1
Q: Can white collar criminals be violent or resort to violence in order to accomplish their white collar crimes?
Yes, many white collar criminals may harbor violent tendencies and may resort to violence to protect their fraudulent activities.
The White Collar Support Group
Q: What was your experience like in prison compared to what people might think being in a white collar prison is like?
Tom Harden describes it as frightening, admitting that while some white collar criminals go to cushier camps, he was in a low-security prison with actual bars, which wasn't a pleasant experience.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About The Ponzi Playbook

What is The Ponzi Playbook about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content focuses on the intricacies of financial fraud, particularly Ponzi schemes, exploring the psychological and legal aspects surrounding these crimes. By examining notorious cases and the motivations of the individuals involved, the discussion reveals both the tragic consequences for victims and the complex narratives of the perpetrators. Unique characteristics include a blend of humor and critical analysis, underscoring the dangers and societal implications of scams, while also offering insights from legal professionals involved in white-collar crimes. The show stands out for its combination of real-life stories and commentary, making it both engaging and informative for listeners interested in finance, crime, and the legal system.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Ponzi Playbook?

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

How many listeners does The Ponzi Playbook get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Ponzi Playbook?

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How many subscribers and views does The Ponzi Playbook have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Ponzi Playbook 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 Ponzi Playbook?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ponzi Playbook:

1. PRETEND
2. Scamfluencers
3. The Opportunist
4. Infamous
5. Swindled

How many episodes of The Ponzi Playbook are there?

The Ponzi Playbook launched 3 years ago and published 27 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 Ponzi Playbook?

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 Ponzi Playbook?

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

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Ponzi Playbook?

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What guests have appeared on The Ponzi Playbook?

Recent guests on The Ponzi Playbook include:

1. Bill Livolsi
2. Elliot Sol Abrams
3. Elliot Abrams
4. Jeff Grant
5. Tom Harden
6. Matthew Motil
7. Nicole Brass
8. Frank Perri

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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