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‏٢٠٫٩٩ ‏ر.س.‏ كل شهر أو ‏٢١٤٫٩٩ ‏ر.س.‏ كل سنة بعد الفترة التجريبية

From cult leaders to con artists and undercover FBI agents, PRETEND exposes those pretending to be someone they're not.

قبل ٣ أيام

Cocaine Air

This week on PRETEND, we're doing something different. I’m bringing on my friend Johnathan Walton, the mastermind behind Queen of the Con, to share the premiere episode of his brand-new podcast series: Cocaine Air. Jonathan isn’t just a victim of a con artist—he’s turned his trauma into a storytelling empire. And in Cocaine Air, he tells the true story of TJ Dominguez, a Cuban-American businessman who got scammed out of $100,000 and decided to take matters into his own hands... by becoming one of the world’s biggest cocaine smugglers for Pablo Escobar. This story is wild, raw, and straight out of the Miami Vice era—but it's all true. If you're into PRETEND, you’re going to love Cocaine Air. 🎙️ Guest: Johnathan Walton🔗 Listen to the full series: CocaineAir.com📚 Preorder Johnathan’s book: Anatomy of a Con Artist: The 14 Red Flags of Scammers, Grifters, and Thieves (Out August 19). Also, listen to Johnathan share his personal scam story for the first time on PRETEND: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ixMjLTNaxf4ONIuktqq7s?si=e80842100f984067If. If you liked this episode, text it to a friend who loves true crime. And don’t forget to leave a review for both PRETEND and Cocaine Air. Indie creators like us rely on your support. —Created and hosted by Javier LeivaFor more episodes, visit pretendradio.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

٤٩ من الدقائق
قبل ٤ أيام - المشتركون فقط

Cocaine Air

This week on PRETEND, we're doing something different. I’m bringing on my friend Johnathan Walton, the mastermind behind Queen of the Con, to share the premiere episode of his brand-new podcast series: Cocaine Air. Jonathan isn’t just a victim of a con artist—he’s turned his trauma into a storytelling empire. And in Cocaine Air, he tells the true story of TJ Dominguez, a Cuban-American businessman who got scammed out of $100,000 and decided to take matters into his own hands... by becoming one of the world’s biggest cocaine smugglers for Pablo Escobar. This story is wild, raw, and straight out of the Miami Vice era—but it's all true. If you're into PRETEND, you’re going to love Cocaine Air. 🎙️ Guest: Johnathan Walton 🔗 Listen to the full series: CocaineAir.com 📚 Preorder Johnathan’s book: Anatomy of a Con Artist: The 14 Red Flags of Scammers, Grifters, and Thieves (Out August 19). Also, listen to Johnathan share his personal scam story for the first time on PRETEND: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ixMjLTNaxf4ONIuktqq7s?si=e80842100f984067If. If you liked this episode, text it to a friend who loves true crime. And don’t forget to leave a review for both PRETEND and Cocaine Air. Indie creators like us rely on your support. — Created and hosted by Javier Leiva For more episodes, visit pretendradio.org

٤٧ من الدقائق
٣ يونيو

The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 4

In part 4 of 'The Internet Saves the Bachelor,' we examine the growing cracks in Laura Owens’ story as her pregnancy timeline collapses under scrutiny. At one hearing, she claims to be 24 weeks pregnant. In another, she says she miscarried months earlier. The dates keep shifting — July, August, October — and still, no medical provider can confirm that she was ever pregnant. Clayton Echard’s legal team seizes on the inconsistencies. They ask the court to dismiss the case, arguing it was filed in bad faith. Sanctions, attorney’s fees, and even questions of criminal liability begin to surface. Sources: SchnitzelNinja69 on YouTube Dave Neal Just Jen & Hay Bales – All the Best Research Justice for Clayton Wiki Megan Fox on YouTube Credits: Written by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames Hosted by: Javier Leiva Music: thechicken.net Produced by: Creative Babble Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

٤٠ من الدقائق
٢٨ مايو

The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 3

In Part 3 of The Internet Saves the Bachelor, the truth—or at least, what remains of it—is put on trial. Laura Owens takes the stand. Under oath, she admits to altering the ultrasound she submitted as evidence. Her pregnancy timeline, once shaky, now completely collapses under cross-examination. The judge wants answers. The internet sleuths want accountability. And Clayton Echard? He just wants this nightmare to end. Part 4 is available right now on Patreon and PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast Sources: SchnitzelNinja69 on YouTube Dave Neal - https://www.youtube.com/@DaveNealComedian Just Jen & Hay Bales with https://allthebestresearch.com/ Justice for Clayton - https://justiceforclayton.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page Megan Fox - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9XP_Ax4_vTi1IqSSRD9ORQ Credits Written by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie Ames Hosted by: Javier Leiva Music by thechicken.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

٣٧ من الدقائق
٢٠ مايو

The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 2

The story isn’t over. In Part 2, we dig deeper into the chaos that followed Laura Owens’ accusations against Bachelor star Clayton Echard. Internet sleuths start pulling court records, police reports, and medical documents. Their findings are wild — fake identities, stolen ultrasounds, and a pregnancy that might never have happened. Laura pushes back. She sues YouTuber Dave Neal and threatens to sue other podcasters for even discussing the case. In court, she testifies under oath. But her story keeps falling apart. This episode exposes the internet’s role in fighting back, not with conspiracy theories, but with receipts. Credits: Hosted, Produced: Javier Leiva Written by: Mackenzie Ames References: ⁠https://allthebestresearch.com⁠ Dave Neal's YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@davenealcomedian?si=buUz1EGyODwQ6aGv⁠ https://justiceforclayton.com/wiki/index.php/Laura_Michelle_Owens_-_Court_Case_History https://www.reddit.com/r/JusticeForClayton/ https://victimsoflauraowens.com/coverage/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

٤٢ من الدقائق
١٤ مايو

The Internet Saves the Bachelor part 1

After a one-night hookup with a fan-turned-client, former Bachelor star Clayton Echard faced an unexpected legal battle — and public accusations that threatened to ruin his life. In this episode, we unpack the early timeline of Clayton’s explosive case with Laura Michelle Owens, who claimed she was pregnant with his twins… despite his insistence they never had sex. But Clayton wasn’t her first target. When no one else believed him, the internet showed up and started pulling Laura’s story apart. Stayed tuned for part 2 and 3 of the "Internet Saves the Bachelor." Be the first to listen on Patreon and PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast. Credits: Hosted, Produced: Javier Leiva Written by: Mackenzie Ames Additional Reporting: The Dating Detectives Podcast References: https://allthebestresearch.com Dave Neal's YouTube: https://youtube.com/@davenealcomedian?si=buUz1EGyODwQ6aGv https://justiceforclayton.com/wiki/index.php/Laura_Michelle_Owens_-_Court_Case_History https://www.reddit.com/r/JusticeForClayton/ https://victimsoflauraowens.com/coverage/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

٣٤ من الدقائق
١٠ مايو

The Man Who Stole 200 Million Identities

In this episode of PRETEND, recorded live at the GISEC cybersecurity conference in Dubai, I spoke with Hieu Minh Ngo, once one of the most prolific identity thieves in the world. Operating out of Vietnam, Hieu stole and sold personal data on over 200 million Americans. We're talking names, birth dates, Social Security numbers—everything you’d need to become someone else. But he didn’t hack his way in. Instead, he used open-source intelligence and even impersonated a private investigator to gain legal access to massive data broker networks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

٢٩ من الدقائق
٦ مايو

2104: The Digital Pickpocket Revisted

While speaking at a hacker conference in Dubai, Javier revisits a conversation with professional pickpocket and entertainer James Freedman. James reveals how a childhood scuffle led to a lifelong obsession with the art of pickpocketing, evolving from swiping coins to mastering social engineering and even digital fraud. 🔗 Listen to Part 2Click here for The Digital Pickpocket, Part 2 → 💬 Connect with Javier on social Instagram/Twitter/TikTok: @pretendpod 🛡 Stay safe: Learn how to defend yourself against modern pickpockets — both analog and digital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

٣٠ من الدقائق

مشاهدة الكل (٢٩٦)

Criminal Conduct is an investigative true-crime podcast series hosted by John Taylor and Javier Leiva. Season 1: The hosts look into the death of Michelle O'Connell, picking up the investigation where the murdered sleuth, Eli Washtock, left off. Season 2: The investigation of a rogue constable in Kentucky who is accused of planting drugs, stealing money, and shaking people down. Season 3: An American Serial Killer in Paradise: The story of serial killer William Holbert, aka "Wild Bill," and his victims. Season 4: Getting Away with Murder: The Death Investigation of Pravin Varughese Season 5: The Life and Death of Buffalo Jim Barrier

٠٫٠ (0)

جرائم حقيقية
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.

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