Con Artists
139 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 2.1K ratingsAnyone can fall victim to a con. But what kind of person intentionally tries to deceive and manipulate someone? Peek behind the masks of hustlers, swindlers, and fraudsters, and explore how far someone would go to gain money, power, and respect. Con Artists is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
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Episodes
Mark Hofmann Pt. 1: “Religious Forgeries”
July 01, 2020 07:01 - 48 minutesIn the mid-1980s, Mark Hofmann was one of America’s most prolific and successful forgers. He rocked the Mormon Church to its core with convincing historical "finds" that struck at the faith's very foundation—its founder, Joseph Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Isolation
June 26, 2020 07:01 - 21 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cases of isolation. What kind of effect does living in isolation—with little contact with the outside world, friends, or family—have on the psyche? We’ll take a closer look using clips from shows across the Parcast Network. Clips featured: Hostage: Colleen Stan Pt. 1,...
Bre-X Pt. 2: “Mining Fraud”
June 24, 2020 07:01 - 46 minutesFrom 1993 until 1997, Bre-X stocks soared from pennies to billions of dollars, all based on steadily increasing estimates of gold beneath the soil in Busang. Yet these estimates were all based on lies, and there was no gold to be found. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Satanism
June 19, 2020 07:01 - 19 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing Satanism. What kind of influence has Satanism had on crime and society? We’ll explore this topic using clips from shows across the Parcast Network. Clips featured: Serial Killers: David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) Pt. 2, Unsolved Murders: Jeanette DePalma Pt. 1, Cults: Chu...
Bre-X Pt. 1: “Mining Fraud”
June 17, 2020 07:01 - 43 minutesFounded in Canada in 1989, Bre-X was the last-ditch effort of failed prospector, David Walsh, to literally strike gold. His company stock was worth pennies until 1993, when they purchased land in Busang, Indonesia, and claimed to have discovered the largest gold deposit in the history of the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Crimes That Changed Society
June 12, 2020 07:01 - 19 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we will take you chronologically through three crimes that inspired change in society, laws, or policies. Clips featured: Not Guilty: Ernesto Miranda Pt. 2, Serial Killers: Ottis Toole Pt. 2, Unsolved Murders: Tylenol Murders Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...
Introducing SOLVED MURDERS: TRUE CRIME MYSTERIES, A Parcast Original Series!
June 11, 2020 07:01 - 16 minutesTo commemorate its fourth anniversary, Parcast and the team behind Unsolved Murders are taking a closer look at what it takes to catch a killer. In the new series Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries, you'll follow the clues and uncover the missing pieces to some of history's most gripping cases. Every Wednesday, join hosts Carter and Wenndy as they explore the days, months, and even years leading up to a killer being caught. Each episode plays out like a classic murder mystery—where the fina...
Lou Pearlman Pt. 2: “Entertainment Mogul”
June 10, 2020 07:01 - 51 minutesFor over 20 years, music mogul Lou Pearlman perpetrated one of the longest-running Ponzi schemes in history, scamming investors out of more than $300 million. His years spent bankrolling his pricy lifestyle and promising premium profits came to a crashing halt in the 2000s, shortly after his former boyband *NSYNC told him "Bye, Bye, Bye." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Political Crimes
June 05, 2020 07:01 - 21 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing political crimes. What types of political crimes are there, and what is their impact on society and governments as a whole? Clips featured: Political Scandals: Jack Abramoff, Espionage: The Rosenbergs Pt. 2, Assassinations: Pancho Villa Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad ...
Lou Pearlman Pt. 1: “Entertainment Mogul”
June 03, 2020 07:01 - 41 minutesHe sparked the rise of the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC in the 1990s. But a decade earlier, wannabe-mogul, Lou Pearlman, made his start in the world of aviation. With a dream, a penny stock scheme, and a single makeshift blimp, Pearlman built an empire defrauding investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Torture
May 29, 2020 07:01 - 23 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cases in which a criminal tortured their victim. What would compel someone to torture another person, and what are the lasting effects on a victim who was tortured? Clips featured: Female Criminals: Gertrude Banisewski Pt. 1, Serial Killers: David Parker Ray Pt. 2, Ho...
Steven Russell Pt. 2: “Con For Love”
May 27, 2020 07:01 - 49 minutesIn 1995, Steven Russell met and fell madly in love with Phillip Morris, a man who inspired his most ingenious cons and audacious prison breaks. Before his final arrest, Russell upped the ante, embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep his paramour in luxury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Wealthy Criminals
May 22, 2020 07:01 - 23 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’ll focus on wealthy criminals. We’ll discuss what leads high-status individuals to commit crimes, as well as the consequences they face once captured. Clips featured: Kingpins: Pablo Escobar Pt. 1, Con Artists: Bernie Madoff Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Leona Helmsley Pt. 2 Learn more...
Steven Russell Pt. 1: “Con For Love”
May 20, 2020 07:01 - 51 minutesAfter cutting his teeth on his family's illegal bid-rigging scheme, Steven Russell branched out into his own criminal enterprises, scamming corporations in Texas out of tens of thousands of dollars. Russell's escapades throughout the ‘90s landed him in prison, but he executed a cunning escape to reunite with the man he loved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Introducing SON OF A HITMAN, A Spotify Original Podcast!
May 17, 2020 07:01 - 15 minutesIf you love the controversies explored in Con Artists, you’ll definitely want to check out the new Spotify Original podcast, Son of a Hitman. Although it’s not a Parcast production, Son of a Hitman features all the twists and turns you love in a true crime series. Follows the present day investigation into the murders, crimes, and conspiracies involving Charles V. Harrelson—the father of Jordan, Brett, and famous actor Woody Harrelson, with details never shared in the media before. Enjoy thi...
Con Artists Bites: Revenge Killings
May 15, 2020 07:01 - 19 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. What makes someone so vengeful, they’re willing to take a human life? Using clips from across the Parcast Network, we’ll search for clues by taking a closer look at some of history’s most infamous revenge killings. Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Marty and Michelle Theer Pt. 1, Female Cr...
Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith Pt. 2
May 13, 2020 07:01 - 47 minutesIn the late 1800s, notorious outlaw and con artist Jefferson “Soapy” Smith had created a criminal empire in Denver. But when a "law and order" league threatened to shutter his businesses, Soapy decided to expand his operations—resulting in a violent end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Dead Political Figures
May 08, 2020 07:01 - 21 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing the deaths of American political figures. Whether their demise came at the hands of an assassin, or a political rival, the loss of each of these leaders left an indelible impact on U.S. history. Clips featured: Political Scandals: Election of 1800, Assassinations: Lin...
Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith Pt. 1
May 06, 2020 07:01 - 48 minutesAt the end of the 19th century, Jefferson Smith was just a teenage cowboy who stumbled into the world of shell games and card sharps. But after just a few years he would assemble a gang of like-minded crooks, and mastermind a slew of ingenious cons to become the scam king of Denver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: First Murders
May 01, 2020 07:01 - 19 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing serial killers’ first murders. What did the murders look like and how does a killer’s modus operandi change after their first slaying? We'll hear clips from our shows across the Parcast Network, and dive deeper into their minds and methods. Clips featured: Clips featu...
Barry Minkow Pt. 2: “ZZZZ Best”
April 29, 2020 07:01 - 52 minutesIn the 1990s, California native Barry Minkow was finally released from jail. Determined to prove his redemption to the world, the ex-con became a born-again Christian and even got a job as a local pastor. However, it wasn’t long before the new version of Barry went back to his old tricks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sneak Peek: DAILY QUOTE, A Parcast Original Series!
April 26, 2020 07:01 - 5 minutesWhether you’re jumpstarting the morning, searching for that midday pick-me-up, or trying to finish the evening off strong… Daily Quote offers some of history’s most inspirational quotes whenever you need them—365 days a year. In this 2-3 minute podcast, you’ll be given a quote that will motivate, uplift, and renew your outlook on life. You’ll also dive deeper into the context surrounding the quote—learning more about its origin and the meaning behind it. Enjoy this sneak peek of Daily Quote ...
Con Artists Bites: Clues Left Behind
April 24, 2020 07:01 - 21 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing the clues that criminals left behind and the ways in which the police used them to hunt down their suspect. These clues could be biological, such as DNA or fingerprints; or physical, such as a piece of clothing fiber left at the scene. Some were merely overlooked by th...
NEW: Barry Minkow Pt. 1: “ZZZZ Best”
April 22, 2020 07:01 - 51 minutesWe are thrilled to bring you a brand new episode of Con Artists today and for the foreseeable future. We thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time. In the 1980s, 16-year-old Barry Minkow established himself as a boy-genius after opening a chain of successful carpet cleaning stores in California. However, unbeknownst to his family and the journalists who covered him, Barry was running a ponzi scheme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Murder M.O.s
April 17, 2020 07:01 - 22 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're discussing "M.O.s", or the "modus operandi" of murderers. We'll talk about the tactics killers use on their victims, and what those methods say about their psyches. Clips featured: Female Criminals: Marie Sukloff Pt. 2, Unsolved Murders/Kingpins: St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Pt....
Gregor MacGregor Pt. 2: “Poyais”
April 15, 2020 07:01 - 49 minutesWhen a string of military failures under Gregor's leadership led to his exile from South America in 1820, the Scotsman returned to Europe a disgrace. But soon his desire for fame and fortune led him to create his most famous, and devious, con yet—the Poyais scheme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Indoctrination
April 10, 2020 07:01 - 22 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re exploring cases of indoctrination. We’ll discuss how cult leaders, secret societies, and kidnappers gain control of their victims and what makes individuals vulnerable to malicious manipulation. Clips featured: Cults: Alamo Christian Foundation Pt. 2, Secret Societies: The Triad...
Introducing SUPERNATURAL WITH ASHLEY FLOWERS, A Parcast Original Series!
April 09, 2020 07:01 - 17 minutesJoin Parcast and Crime Junkie’s Ashley Flowers as they dive deep into the strange and surreal to explain some of the world’s most bizarre true crime occurrences in the new series, Supernatural with Ashley Flowers. Every Wednesday, Ashley digs into a different mystifying crime—where the most fitting theory isn’t always the most conventional. Was there a special committee formed under President Truman to recover and investigate alien spacecraft? Sort through the details with Ashley and decide ...
Gregor MacGregor Pt. 1: “Poyais”
April 08, 2020 07:01 - 51 minutesIn the early 19th century, Gregor MacGregor's family name had been disgraced. But the young Scot was determined to put his clan back on the map. Following his meteoric rise and fall in the military, Gregor’s desperation for glory led him to pull his first unintentional con. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Craziest Trials
April 03, 2020 07:01 - 27 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today, we're looking at some of the most fascinating criminal trials in history. We'll see how certain tactics used by attorneys influenced juries, changed outcomes, and provided some of the most unexpected legal twists and turns in recent memory. Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Lorena B...
Parcast Classic: Charles Ponzi Pt. 1
April 01, 2020 07:01 - 56 minutesDue to the unfortunate spread of COVID-19, Parcast has decided to halt recording for the time-being. This is a precautionary measure taken to ensure the safety of our hosts and staff. In the meantime, we're excited to share one of our classic episodes that we know you'll enjoy! Italian immigrant Carlo Ponzi came to Boston in the early 1900's intent on making a name for himself. But as he struggled to make ends meet, he discovered a highly lucrative investment method involving the resale of I...
Con Artists Bites: Abduction
March 27, 2020 07:01 - 24 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cases of abduction, and examining some of the most infamous kidnappings throughout true crime history. We'll hear clips from our shows across the Parcast Network, and look at the different reasons why a criminal would carry out such a heinous act. Clips featured: Seri...
Oscar Hartzell Pt. 2: “The Drake Fortune”
March 25, 2020 07:01 - 46 minutesIn 1922, American Oscar Hartzell took full control of his "Francis Drake inheritance scam." He bilked thousands of people out of enormous amounts of money, and when the government tried to stop him, he proved himself nearly untouchable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Cannibals & Vampires
March 20, 2020 07:01 - 26 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cannibals and vampires. We’ll examine strange cases of predators who drink blood and feast on flesh, and delve into their unique psychology. Clips featured: Unsolved Murders: Atlas Vampire, Female Criminals: Tracey Wigginton, Serial Killers: Albert Fish Pt. 2 Learn mo...
Oscar Hartzell Pt. 1: “The Drake Fortune”
March 18, 2020 07:01 - 49 minutesAfter starting a string of failing businesses in the early 1900s, American Oscar Hartzell found himself looking for his next path to wealth. He found it when he heard about Sir Frances Drake, and his alleged inheritance. Soon Hartzell began to use tale's of Drake's fortune to make a fortune of his own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Wealthy Victims
March 13, 2020 07:01 - 27 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're looking into the crimes that affect wealthy victims. While we may assume the wealthy are most often the victims of crimes like robbery, in reality, the wealthy are less likely to be victimized than the poor. Why is this the case, and why do we find it so fascinating when the weal...
Frank Abagnale Pt. 2: “Catch Me If You Can”
March 11, 2020 07:01 - 50 minutesIn a span of five years, Frank Abagnale Jr. took on various identities: airline pilot, pediatrician, lawyer. He had perfected the art of counterfeiting… until eventually, the law caught up with him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Notorious Assassins
March 06, 2020 08:01 - 24 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. What motivates someone to assassinate a President, or their musical hero? Today we’re highlighting three notorious assassinations and the perpetrators behind them. Using clips from shows across the Parcast Network, we’ll see what motivated them to kill some of the most prominent figures in h...
Frank Abagnale Pt. 1: “Catch Me If You Can”
March 04, 2020 08:01 - 49 minutesIn only five years, Frank Abagnale Jr. managed to cause a major stir in the criminal world. After running away from home at 16, Frank survived on forged checks until he created a new identity for himself as a Pan Am pilot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Suspicious Celebrity Deaths
February 28, 2020 08:01 - 25 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Stars—they’re just like us. So why are we so intrigued by celebrity death, and why is the intrigue amplified when the death is unexpected? Today we’re discussing those high-profile cases. We'll dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, including Conspiracy Theories, Unsolved Mur...
William Chaloner Pt. 2: “The Counterfeit Trickster”
February 26, 2020 08:01 - 52 minutesFor more than a decade, William Chaloner had managed to evade the law, all the while forging tens of thousands of pounds worth of coins and banknotes. But soon, he turned the tables on his own scheme, declaring himself as an anti-fraud expert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Unhealthy Relationships
February 21, 2020 08:01 - 29 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're exploring cases of unhealthy relationships and examining some of true crime's most notorious couples. We'll dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, and look at how the twisted—often abusive—dynamic between two criminals shapes the crimes they commit. Clips feature...
William Chaloner Pt. 1: “The Counterfeit Trickster”
February 19, 2020 08:01 - 46 minutesBorn into poverty in 17th century England, William Chaloner pulled himself out using a con artist’s tongue and his artistry as a forger. Chaloner chose his nefarious path at a time and place when the deteriorating state of England’s currency made counterfeiting widespread and lucrative—although the penalty was death by hanging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Childhoods From Hell
February 14, 2020 08:01 - 22 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're taking a look at what some of the most infamous criminals in history have in common: a brutal childhood. As we dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, we'll explore how their early years of abuse, neglect, and trauma all shaped these individuals into notorious offe...
Charles Sobhraj Pt. 2: “The Bikini Killer”
February 12, 2020 08:01 - 53 minutesAfter ditching his brother to wallow in a Turkish prison, Charles Sobhraj returned to the Hippie Trail to prey on Western tourists. Posing as a gem dealer named Alain Gautheir, Charles began building a family of con artists to follow him. But beginning in 1975, Charles became more than just a con artist—he became a serial killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Elderly Criminals
February 07, 2020 08:01 - 24 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we explore the unique and shocking cases when elders we expect to respect defy society and commit crimes in their old age. We'll dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, and discuss all the reasons a senior citizen may defy the norm and break the law. Clips featured: Con...
Charles Sobhraj Pt. 1: “The Bikini Killer”
February 05, 2020 08:01 - 56 minutesIn the late 1960s and early 1970s, Charles Sobhraj was one of the most elusive con artists in the world. Though his cons were elaborate, he knew he would be able to prey on unsuspecting Western tourists traveling along the “Hippie Trail,” the road between Istanbul and Bangkok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Victims Who Escaped
January 31, 2020 08:01 - 33 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're exploring those rare and hopeful instances where victims managed to break out of their captors' clutches and flee to freedom. We'll dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, and discuss all the ways in which a victim might escape and the psychological effects their t...
Victor Lustig Pt. 2
January 29, 2020 08:01 - 48 minutesAfter taking advantage of the wrong mark, Victor Lustig found himself in the crosshairs of police all over the United States. With the Great Depression in full swing, Lustig was forced to think outside the box—concocting a counterfeiting enterprise that threatened to topple an already fragile economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Con Artists Bites: Mothers Misbehaving
January 24, 2020 08:01 - 26 minutesIn addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're taking a closer look at women who subverted their maternal expectations to lead a life of crime. We'll analyze these instances with clips from shows across the Parcast Network, and discuss the different ways these mothers misbehaved. Clips featured: The Dark Side Of: Stage Mothe...