Harebrained Schemes

Bibi and Sibel are off this week, so enjoy this absolute comedy of a story from the archives!No matter how outrageous or outlandish the scheme, Timmy D could not lose! Hop onto perhaps the most hilarious episode yet with Bibi and Sibel as they tell you about the legendary Massachusetts "nobleman", Timothy Dexter! Clearly especially blessed by the gods, the man defied all logic , making millions on gut instinct and a second-grade education, much to the consternation and chagrin of the Newburyport elite.Podcast Socials:https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesPitch A Podcast Idea:https://thepodpirenetwork.com/pitchapodEpisode References:Timothy Dexter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_DexterTimothy Dexter, the Ridiculous Millionaire Who Sold Coals to Newcastle https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/timothy-dexter-ridiculous-millionaire-sold-coals-newcastle/The Strange Life Of ‘Lord’ Timothy Dexter, The Eccentric 18th-Century Millionaire Whose Success Defied Reason https://allthatsinteresting.com/timothy-dexterTimothy Dexter: The Dumbest Rags-to-Riches Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChSUvdU_SbkThe Absolute Legend That was Lord Timothy Dexter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2uEwDTHwnUThe Strange Life of the LUCKIEST Millionaire Ever | Timothy Dexter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVVojh7_u7k

Warning: This episode is not funny. What it is, is a look at the greed that exists in the world of hedge funds and big pharma, as embodied by one Martin Shkreli, the guy who took a life-saving drug and inflated its price by several thousand percent. However, as disgusting as that was, it was entirely another scheme that landed him in prison.Episode References:Martin Shkreli: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Shkreli#Criminal_prosecution_and_convictionMartin Shkreli Sentenced to Seven Years’ Imprisonment for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/martin-shkreli-sentenced-seven-years-imprisonment-multi-million-dollar-fraud-schemeSEC Charges Martin Shkreli With Fraud: https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2015-282

At an age when most people are contemplating or already deep into retirement, this group of aging and aged gentlemen decided to rob a prominent London safe deposit fortress during a bank holiday. Apparently, 60 is the new 30!Episode References:Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatton_Garden_safe_deposit_burglaryTHE HATTON GARDEN CRIMINALS: https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/article/the-hatton-garden-criminals

How does a streetwise kid transform himself into an Arabian Prince without a genie? Ask Anthony Gignac who successfully passed himself off to some of America's wealthiest people as a royal prince of Saudi Arabia!Fast cars, penthouses, fake DSS agents and a chihuahua named Foxy are just some of the details that make this over-the-top story a treat to listen to. Come join the tomfoolery delivered the way only Bibi and Sibel can!Podcast Socials: https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:How a fake Saudi Prince conned investors out of nearly $8 million: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/06/how-fake-saudi-prince-anthony-gignac-conned-investors-out-of-millions.htmlHow the Fake Saudi Prince, Anthony Gignac, Was Exposed: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/10/how-the-fake-saudi-prince-anthony-gignac-was-exposed

If you thought Anna Sorokin's shenanigans in New York as the heiress Anna Delvey were epic, wait until you get a load of Sarah Wilson, AKA Princess Susanna Caroline Matilda, true-born sister of Her Royal Magesty, Queen Charlotte of England!From common thief to indentured servant, to touring English princess in 1700's America, this woman lived a life and a half! Bibi and Sibel are back with their infectious humor and undeniable chemistry in this opening salvo of Season 2 of your favorite comedy podcast!Podcast Socials: https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:Princess Susanna: Colonial Con-woman: https://thecasualcriminalist.com/podcasts/princess-susanna-colonial-con-woman/Sarah Wilson (impostor): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Wilson_(impostor)

Down on your luck and hatching a plan that involves kidnapping the crown prince of music and Ol' Blue Eyes' son and namesake? Don't. First, don't do crimes, people! And second, Barry Keenan and his group of would-be criminals-of-the-century found out in 1960s' California that a plan is not only as good as its execution, but also what happens afterward. After initially getting away almost clean with the crime, ransom in hand, one particularly unforced error gets them all rounded up and thrown in jail.This ridiculous story is the perfect final episode for what has been a fantastically hilarious and eye-opening first season of Hairbrained Schemes! Bibi snd Sibel will be back July 8!Podcast Socials: https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:Barry Keenan (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_KeenanFIFTY-ONE YEARS LATER, FRANK SINATRA JR.’S KIDNAPPING STILL RAISES QUESTIONS: https://themobmuseum.org/blog/fifty-one-years-later-frank-sinatra-jr-s-kidnapping-still-raises-questions/The True Story of the 1963 Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr.: https://worldnewsera.com/news/entertainment/the-true-story-of-the-1963-kidnapping-of-frank-sinatra-jr/Frank Sinatra, Jr., Kidnapping: https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/frank-sinatra-jr-kidnappingThe Bizzarre And Terribly Executed Kidnapping Of Frank Sinatra Jr.: https://allthatsinteresting.com/frank-sinatra-jr-kidnapping

If you thought the Tinder Swindler was bad, you really should meet Ramesh Swain, who's been dubbed India's Tinder Swindler. However, Bibi and Sibel seem to think that Ramesh is somehow worse because at least, the Tinder Swindler didn't marry anyone as part of his schemes (that we know of). Ramesh on the other hand, marries 27 women in a bid to defraud.Podcast Socials: https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:Who Is Ramesh Kumar Swain? Know More About India's 'Tinder Swindler' Who Defrauded & Married 27 Women: https://in.mashable.com/culture/27780/who-is-ramesh-kumar-swain-know-more-about-indias-tinder-swindler-who-defrauded-married-27-womenStory Of India’s Tinder Swindler, Man Who Married 27 Women From 10 States & Stole Their Money: https://www.postoast.com/ramesh-kumar-swain-india-tinder-swindler/‘I Hope He Rots in Jail’: Man Who Married and Swindled 18 Women Arrested: https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgd5ek/marriage-swindler-swain-india-scam-18-wives

This episode is a public service effort by your two favorite podcast hosts, to warn you about the dangers of falling for the allure of so-called "wellness influencers".About a decade ago, Belle Gibson decided she would capitalize on the desperation of people going through cancer and cancer treatment. Lies, greed, deceit and pure evil ensue in this tale of yet another wildly unqualified individual posing as an expert in the health and wellness space.There are way fewer things than usual to laugh about on this episode, but if you were ever going to listen to an episode that covers something so grim, you'd be hard-pressed to find a duo to present it better than Bibi and Sibel.Podcast Socials: https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:Belle Gibson - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_GibsonBelle Gibson: The influencer who lied about having cancer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/b2538e04-87f5-4af5-bd6f-f6cf88b488c4Cancer conwoman Belle Gibson’s home raided to try to recoup unpaid fines: https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/21/cancer-con-woman-belle-gibsons-home-raided-to-try-to-recoup-unpaid-fines

If you've had a Netflix subscription over the past couple of months, you've probably heard of the Tinder Swindler. This week, we take a look at the romance scams across Europe run by Shimon Hayut AKA Simon Leviev and the man behind them.It's another fun episode you'll thoroughly enjoy!Podcast Socials: https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:Simon Leviev: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_LevievSimon Leviev: Everything we know about The Tinder Swindler after Netflix hit: https://news.yahoo.com/simon-leviev-everything-know-tinder-135040663.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAELtTeRJMSujZDkDoCb1DbwN2V6LOWW0MToWFS0dFlSYeCJYOaxnLOHc_Q-W3qOYGfQk4vs-VyADNMSl3C2Tc8OLhnFUYnITn3r7bGEna7wXuZbueS9EiylbsbSzD1dDQ6fEE0FYpYQFK8nkaMAA9TK8Klpj_iVzg-m6Jz4x4unRSimon Leviev Says 'I Am Not the Tinder Swindler' in New Interview Airing Next Week: https://people.com/crime/simon-leviev-says-i-am-not-the-tinder-swindler-in-new-interview-airing-next-week/

Bibi and Sibel had so much fun last episode, they decided to keep the fun going this week by bringing you another story of someone selling monuments they didn't own. Enter, George C. Parker, a con man so prolific, he was at one time known as the greatest conman in America. With exploits almost rivaling last week's Victor Lustig, Bibi and Sibel have a heck of a time taking you back in time to 1800's through early-1900's New York.Podcast Socials: https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:George C. Parker: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_C._ParkerGeorge C. Parker – The Man Who Sold Brooklyn Bridge: https://theirishmob.com/george-c-parker-the-man-who-sold-brooklyn-bridge/The Man who Sold the Brooklyn Bridge: http://www.historynaked.com/man-sold-brooklyn-bridge/The Brooklyn Bridge — “If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you”: https://nycwalks.com/blog/the-brooklyn-bridge-if-you-believe-that-i-have-a-bridge-in-brooklyn-to-sell-to-you/Con Artist George Parker Sold Brooklyn Bridge And Famous Monuments: https://racingnelliebly.com/strange_times/con-artist-george-parker-sold-brooklyn-bridge/

You'd think that after "selling" the Eiffel Tower (twice), a conman would retire for good. You'd think so, but you'd be wrong! Follow Bibi and Sibel through the incredulous life and adventures of Count Victor Lustig, the quintessential con artist who quite literally wrote the Ten Commandments of the Con. This episode is a-laugh-a-minute and an absolute good time!Podcast Socials: https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:Victor Lustig: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_LustigWho sold the Eiffel Tower?: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/history-and-culture/who-sold-eiffel-towerThe Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice.: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/man-who-sold-eiffel-tower-twice-180958370/The man who sold the Eiffel Tower: the story of an incredible scam: https://www.unjourdeplusaparis.com/en/paris-reportage/incroyable-escroquerie-homme-qui-a-vendu-la-tour-eiffel

To mark the release of "Inventing Anna", the Netflix show based on Anna Sorokin which we mentioned in the original run, we're presenting the episode again this week!When Anna Sorokin moved to New York and invented the alter-ego that captivated the collective imagination of the entire upper echelon of The Big Apple's rich and famous, it seemed like a scheme too good to fail.As Anna Delvey, she inspired dreams of exclusive access to art and culture, all the while grifting her way through New York's finest hotels and into the inner circles of celebrities, tech entrepreneurs and even some of America's most recognizable billionaires.Enjoy the first Christmas episode of the show!Podcast Socials:https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:Anna Sorokin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_SorokinMaybe She Had So Much Money She Just Lost Track of It. Somebody had to foot the bill for Anna Delvey’s fabulous new life. The city was full of marks. https://www.thecut.com/2018/05/how-anna-delvey-tricked-new-york.htmlFake heiress Anna Sorokin: 'Crime pays, in a way' https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56339463Inventing Anna (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/title/81008305?trkid=13710079&MSG_TITLE=81008305&lnktrk=EMP&g=0A4E691C1E28BAF522BE353D0CCD5DB864522F0B&lkid=mdpLink&source=pnums

In a story of perhaps the most ghastly greed ever discussed on this podcast, here's a look at the healthcare scheme concocted and executed by Michael Drobot, a once-respected and nationally-recognized hospital administrator and owner.Through self-dealing, bribery and a complete lack of ethics, Drobot managed to build a billion-dollar con empire that severely undermined the trustworthiness of the healthcare system.Podcast Socials: https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:Michael Drobot: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_DrobotConvicted Leader of Billion-Dollar Health Care Scam to Plead Guilty to Violating Court Forfeiture Order by Illegally Selling His Luxury Cars: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/convicted-leader-billion-dollar-health-care-scam-plead-guilty-violating-courtImprisoned CdM man faces new federal charges for illegally selling luxury cars after fraud conviction: https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2019-07-26/imprisoned-newport-beach-man-faces-new-federal-charges-for-illegally-selling-luxury-cars-after-medical-fraudFormer Hospital Owner Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison for Orchestrating Scheme that Paid over $40 Million in Illegal Kickbacks to Doctors, Other Medical Professionals for Spinal Surgery Referrals: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-hospital-owner-sentenced-over-5-years-prison-orchestrating-scheme-paid-over-40

With the glorification of the "fake it 'til you make it" mantra in Silicon Valley, was it really any surprise that one Elizabeth Anne Holmes thought she could smokescreen her way into becoming the most celebrated medical technology inventor of the decade or even century? And it would have worked too, if it wasn't for the meddling reporter John Carreyrou.At the height of her glory, she was the most celebrated woman in tech and was already being compared to Steve Jobs. A few weeks ago, she was found guilty on a bunch of charges related to her time as CEO of the overpromising, underdelivering and fraudulent Theranos.Join Bibi and Sibel in another hilarious episode complete with breathless laughter and ridiculous banter.Podcast Socials:https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesPitch A Podcast Idea:https://thepodpirenetwork.com/pitchapodEpisode References:Elizabeth Holmes https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_HolmesTheranos founder Elizabeth Holmes convicted on 4 counts of fraud https://abcnews.go.com/US/elizabeth-holmes-trial-jury-unable-unanimous-verdict-counts/story?id=82055043Theranos scandal: Who is Elizabeth Holmes and why was she on trial? https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58336998

Chances are, you already know what WeWork is. Perhaps you've even worked out of one of their locations. But did you know about the megalomania, toxic culture and booze-soaked parties that were standard fare at the company that Adam Neumann created?Dive into this episode to learn about the billionaire ex-captain who attempted to become tech's most eccentric CEO and the ill-conceived schemes that seemed almost intentionally designed to run the organization into the ground.Podcast Socials:https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesPitch A Podcast Idea:https://thepodpirenetwork.com/pitchapodEpisode References:Adam Neumann https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_NeumannAdam Neumann hosts booze-soaked party as WeWork stock soars in debut https://nypost.com/2021/10/21/adam-neumann-hosts-booze-soaked-party-as-wework-stock-soars-in-debut/The shocking and rude ways WeWork’s ex-CEO Adam Neumann treated staff https://nypost.com/2021/07/17/the-shocking-ways-weworks-ex-ceo-adam-neumann-treated-staff/The WeWork Con https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/11/wework-adam-neumann-con-artist-grifter-entrepreneurWeWork Is the Most Ridiculous IPO of 2019 https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2019/08/27/wework-is-the-most-ridiculous-ipo-of-2019/?sh=16be52771ad6

In the late 1690s, with England seemingly booming with all kinds of fun ventures like colonialism and slavery, Scotland was very much in search of its own golden ticket out of the horrible economic hardships it had dealt with for the greater part of a decade.This was the fertile soil in which William Paterson was able to plant the seed of colonizing Darien (present-day Panama) in order to control trade between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. There was just one problem: It was a spectacularly bad idea.Welcome to the first episode of 2022, where Bibi and Sibel tell you all about it, with their trademark sense of humor and effortless banter.Pitch A Podcast Idea:https://thepodpirenetwork.com/pitchapodEpisode References:William Paterson (banker) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Paterson_(banker)Darien scheme https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darien_schemeThe Darien Scheme https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-Darien-Scheme/Inside The Darién Scheme, Scotland’s Miserably Failed Attempt To Build A Colony In The Americas https://allthatsinteresting.com/darien-schemeScotland's Empire https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00522lmThe Darien Scheme - Scotland's Doomed Colony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3LUhIAla7cThe Darien scheme, Scotland and the union with England https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFCbVtUxs9AHow the Darien Scheme Changed the History of Scotland’s Independence https://www.historicmysteries.com/darien-scheme/

It's the final episode of the year and Bibi and Sibel close out a consequential 2021 with an extra-special episode of laughs and hijinks. Welcome to the epic tale of General Gregor MacGregor, the Scotsman who created the fictional country of Poyais and conned the best and brightest in England and France!Follow the story of the young boy who joined the British royal military in quest of wealth and glory and ended up being a celebrated anti-colonialist freedom-fighter in Venezuela.Podcast Socials:https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesPitch A Podcast Idea:https://thepodpirenetwork.com/pitchapodEpisode References:Gregor MacGregor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_MacGregor#1826_acquittal_of_fraudGregor MacGregor, Prince of Poyais https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Gregor-MacGregor-Prince-Of-Poyais/Gregor MacGregor, the Prince of Poyais https://www.historytoday.com/miscellanies/gregor-macgregor-prince-poyais

When Anna Sorokin moved to New York and invented the alter-ego that captivated the collective imagination of the entire upper echelon of The Big Apple's rich and famous, it seemed like a scheme too good to fail.As Anna Delvey, she inspired dreams of exclusive access to art and culture, all the while grifting her way through New York's finest hotels and into the inner circles of celebrities, tech entrepreneurs and even some of America's most recognizable billionaires.Enjoy the first Christmas episode of the show!Podcast Socials:https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesPitch A Podcast Idea:https://thepodpirenetwork.com/pitchapodEpisode References:Anna Sorokin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_SorokinMaybe She Had So Much Money She Just Lost Track of It. Somebody had to foot the bill for Anna Delvey’s fabulous new life. The city was full of marks. https://www.thecut.com/2018/05/how-anna-delvey-tricked-new-york.htmlFake heiress Anna Sorokin: 'Crime pays, in a way' https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56339463

No matter how outrageous or outlandish the scheme, Timmy Dex could not lose! Hop onto perhaps the most hilarious episode yet with Bibi and Sibel as they tell you about the legendary Massachusetts "nobleman", Timothy Dexter! Clearly especially blessed by the gods, the man defied all logic , making millions on gut instinct and a second-grade education, much to the consternation and chagrin of the Newburyport elite.Podcast Socials:https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesPitch A Podcast Idea:https://thepodpirenetwork.com/pitchapodEpisode References:Timothy Dexter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_DexterTimothy Dexter, the Ridiculous Millionaire Who Sold Coals to Newcastle https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/timothy-dexter-ridiculous-millionaire-sold-coals-newcastle/The Strange Life Of ‘Lord’ Timothy Dexter, The Eccentric 18th-Century Millionaire Whose Success Defied Reason https://allthatsinteresting.com/timothy-dexterTimothy Dexter: The Dumbest Rags-to-Riches Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChSUvdU_SbkThe Absolute Legend That was Lord Timothy Dexter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2uEwDTHwnUThe Strange Life of the LUCKIEST Millionaire Ever | Timothy Dexter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVVojh7_u7k

Few schemes in history have been more harebrained or almost inevitably doomed to fail than Billy McFarland's 2017 Fyre Festival. With promotion that captured the collective imagination of the world's social media faithful, Fyre was billed to give both Coachella and Burning Man a run for their money.However, what Billy would soon learn, along with a few thousand stranded would-be revelers, was that it typically takes more than high-octane bro energy, some PowerPoint slides and half-a-dozen-or-so secretly-paid influencers to successfully pull off the greatest music festival of all time.Bibi and Sibel dive into the hilarious lead-up to the disastrous weekend on Great Exuma, and the very real consequences suffered by ticket-holders, vendors and the island's local community alike.Podcast Socials:https://linktr.ee/hairbrainedschemesEpisode References:Fyre Festival https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fyre_FestivalBilly McFarland (fraudster) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_McFarland_(fraudster)Ja Rule https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja_RuleFyre Festival: Inside the world's biggest festival flop https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-46904445FYRE FESTIVAL https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/white-collar-crime/fyre-festival/Fyre Festival: The World's Largest Festival Scam: https://www.lawinsider.org/post/fyre-festival-the-world-s-largest-festival-scamFyre Festival attendees stand to recover almost nothing from bankruptcy https://nypost.com/2021/07/07/fyre-festival-attendees-stand-to-recover-almost-nothing-from-bankruptcy/42 Disastrous Facts About Fyre Festival https://www.factinate.com/things/facts-fyre-festival/Fyre Festival: How a 25-year-old scammed investors out of $26 million https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/18/how-fyre-festivals-organizer-scammed-investors-out-of-26-million.html