IAFCI Presents... The Protectors

They may go by different names—psychics, healers, spiritual guides—but the con is always the same: taking people’s money by promising the impossible. Today on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark welcome Audrey Moy to the conference studio at the 2025 IAFCI Convention in Oklahoma City. Audrey is a retired investigator who now volunteers with AARP to protect elders from fraud. She’s here to warn us about the “blessing scam,” a cruel twist on the same tricks behind psychic cons—fake healers exploiting fear for profit—this time targeting people in the Asian community. Audrey shares the red flags to watch for, how to stay safe, and what victims should know. Knowledge is protection, and this conversation delivers both.The Protectors Podcast - Information That Protects.Links Mentioned On the Show: SFPD Blessing Scam Awareness Video: https://vimeo.com/1051992697?utm_source=chatgpt.comAARP Online Fraud Resources: https://states.aarp.org/florida/online-and-printable-fraud-resourcesAARP Watchdog Alert Handbook: https://www.huntsumres.org/pdf/aarp-fraud-watch-network-handbook-2022.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.comNational Association of Bunco Investigators (NABI): https://www.nabihq.org/________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Today, The Protectors Podcast comes to you from the 2025 IAFCI National Convention in Oklahoma City with a conversation that digs deep into one of the most controversial cases of our time. Mike and Mark welcome Professor Declan Hill of the University of New Haven, a world-class investigator whose students conducted the most thorough investigation into the death of Jeffrey Epstein, going further than any other agency to uncover what really happened. The results of their work are both eye-opening and hard to ignore. If you think you’ve heard the full Epstein story before, think again.The Protectors Podcast - Shedding Light, Sharing KnowledgeGUEST CONTACT INFO:Declan Hill, Univ. of New Haven: https://www.newhaven.edu/faculty-staff-profiles/declan-hill.phpCrimewaves Podcast: https://www.crimewavespodcast.com/________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com 

In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with retired detective Tony Fiscella to revisit a case that shook a community to its core — the murder of 24-year-old Valerie Reyes. Known as The Girl in the Red Suitcase, Valerie’s story is as haunting as it is unforgettable. Detective Fiscella not only led the investigation that brought her killer to justice, but also carried the emotional toll of a case that changed him and his department forever. Tune in and hear the story behind a case that left its mark long after justice was served.The Protectors Podcast - Behind every case, a protector stands.The Girl in the Red Suitcase, by Anthony Fiscella: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Red-Suitcase-Anthony-Fiscella-ebook/dp/B0F2JGD26B/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RK9IRF1I3SUX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sbOrVUICcyOOqzAsGInSrg.sM7e8oM1U9I7hOSVYfAePbExZ4JJtKAUeybEN1DXcg8&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+girl+in+the+red+suitcase+book&qid=1757380293&sprefix=the+girl+in+the+red+suitcase+bo%2Caps%2C262&sr=8-1________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with fraud experts Jim De La Torre and Jon Reader to unpack how criminals gain victims’ trust—and then exploit it. From email schemes to social media ploys, they reveal how much of your personal information is already out there and why vigilance is your best defense. They also emphasize the importance of educating yourself - whether it’s understanding how scams work, recognizing what to look for in a financial planner, or making informed investment decisions - knowledge is the first step to protection. Join us and stay alert - your best protection is knowing the playbook before they run it.The Protectors Podcast - One Step Ahead of the Scam.GUEST CONTACT INFO:My advantage.us: https://www.myadvantage.us/Jim De La Torre: jdelatorre@myadvantage.us________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

On this episode of The Protectors Podcast, recorded at the TIAA Fraud Summit in North Carolina, Mike and Mark sit down with threat intel analyst Paul Raffile. When a close friend became the victim of a sextortion scam involving explicit images and threats for money, Paul put his skills to work. What he uncovered led to a massive collaboration with law enforcement, bringing together a wide range of agencies to expose the disturbing networks behind these digital extortion crimes—and to spark a broader conversation about prevention, enforcement, and how these cases are handled. This episode is a must-listen for everyone!The Protectors Podcast - Protecting You From the Darkest Corners of Online Crime.GUEST CONTACT INFO:Paul Raffile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffile/Take It Down: https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/StopNCII.org: https://stopncii.org/________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Today we celebrate a major milestone—100 episodes of The Protectors Podcast! Since day one, our mission has been to educate and empower people worldwide, helping them avoid fraud, scams, and cybercrime while encouraging victims to come forward. With listeners in over 21 countries, we’re proud to highlight the incredible work of IAFCI members and their commitment to investigating and protecting our global communities.For this special episode, hosts Mark Solomon and Mike Carroll are joined by executive producer Doug Taylor, editor Chris Warner, and a crew of past guests and loyal listeners. Together, we look back on the powerful stories shared, laugh through a few bloopers, and celebrate the IAFCI’s ongoing mission.It’s a relaxed, reflective, and fun-filled episode honoring our journey so far—thanks to everyone who’s tuned in, shared, and supported The Protectors Podcast along the way!Ben Franklin: https://www.youtube.com/@barrystevens6767 https://benfranklinprinter.com/about-barry-stevens.html________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com 

We’re on location live at the 2025 TIAA Fraud Summit for this episode of The Protectors Podcast. Today, Mike and Mark sit down with a guest who’s on the front lines of fighting fraud—and studying how artificial intelligence is changing the game. From deepfakes to data breaches, you’ll hear how scammers are using AI to get smarter—and how we can use it to stop them, because in the world of fraud, knowing what’s possible is the first step to staying protected.The Protectors Podcast - Where Fraud Meets Its MatchGUEST CONTACT INFO:Deep Media: https://deepmedia.ai/Ally Madrone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allymadrone/________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com 

Today on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark bring you a story from the 2025 TIAA Fraud Summit in North Carolina that highlights the power of prevention. Our guest nearly fell victim to a sophisticated credit card scam—but didn’t. Why? Because she had fraud alerts, banking notifications, and card monitoring already set up - all free services, all easy to activate, and all too often overlooked. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stop fraud before it starts.The Protectors Podcast - Fighting Fraud Before It Finds YouFederal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Children today are more vulnerable than ever to online predators—especially on platforms like Snapchat, where anonymity and impulsivity can collide with devastating consequences.In today’s episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with two incredibly brave parents who took immediate, decisive action when their daughter was targeted in what could’ve turned into an extortion scam. They walk us through how they recognized the warning signs, the critical role law enforcement played, and the red flags every parent should be watching for. This is an important episode for anyone with kids, teens, or young adults navigating the digital world because the scammers are out there - and they’re professionals - but so are The Protectors!The Protectors Podcast - Smart Parenting In a Digital WorldShow Links:NetSmartz: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/homeInternetMatters: https://www.internetmatters.org/StopBullying.gov: https://www.stopbullying.gov/________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com 

Elder abuse isn’t always visible—and it’s more common than most people realize. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, recorded at the 2025 TIAA Fraud Summit, Mike and Mark are joined by Kristy Preston and Meredith Smith, two experts with deep experience in helping vulnerable adults. They unpack the many forms elder abuse can take—financial, emotional, physical, and more—why it often goes unnoticed, and what steps you can take if you suspect someone is being harmed. This is a conversation about awareness, action, and protecting those who can’t always protect themselves.The Protectors Podcast - Where Awareness Meets Action.North Carolina Adult Protection Network: https://protectadults.sog.unc.edu/Search "Elder Abuse" in your state________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

In a landmark episode recorded live on stage at the 2025 TIAA Cyber Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina, The Protectors Podcast took center stage before a massive crowd of fraud fighters, cyber experts, financial crime investigators, and law enforcement professionals. Hosts Mike and Mark were joined by a recently retired law enforcement veteran, who delivered a compelling message that echoed across the room: Educate yourself, Engage others, and Empower them with the tools to stay protected and spread awareness.This live episode marked a bold new format for the show—and a timely reminder of why the fight against fraud is more about people than it is about procedures.The Protectors Podcast - From Victim to Voice to Vigilance.TIAA Website: https://www.tiaa.org/public?tc_mcid=bn_yextglocal_0618________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to The Protectors Podcast. In this episode, we look at a case that proves local police can be just as powerful as federal agencies when it comes to romance scams. A determined detective helped our guest find justice—and she’s now helping others through victim support groups, books, and advocacy. It’s a story of recovery, partnership, and hope. Listen, learn, and see how the right help can make all the difference.The Protectors Podcast - Stopping Scams in Their Tracks.GUEST CONTACT INFO:Debbie Fox:Website: https://www.flowwithdebbiefox.com/Email: info@flowwithdebbiefox.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flowwithdebbiefox/Instagram Username: @flowwithdebbiefoxAuthor/Advocacy Page: https://www.flowwithdebbiefox.com/pages/debbie-fox-author-pageFLOW Circle Peer-to-Peer Mindfulness Group: info@flowwithdebbiefox.comBooks: Encrypted Hearts: Love and Cyber Suspense, and FLOW Journal: A Companion for Healing and Renewal, available worldwide online from major booksellers.Amazon link to author page with links to both publications: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Debbie-Fox/author/B0DQVKCP6S?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flowwithdebbiefoxSpeaker/Advocacy Inquiries: Please contact directly through email, contact tab on website or Linkedin. _______________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Online dating is now the go-to way to meet people, but it also opens the door to scams. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark talk with a man who became the target of a romance scam. It’s an emotional, revealing conversation that sheds light on the red flags he missed, the tactics scammers use to build trust, and the emotional and financial toll these schemes can take. Whether you’re dating or know someone who is, this is one conversation you'll want to hear.The Protectors Podcast - Know the signs. Stop the scams.________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to The Protectors Podcast — where real experts tackle real threats. This week, Doug Taylor steps in for Mike as co-host alongside Mark for an eye-opening conversation with a special guest expert on home and business burglaries. The focus? South American Theft Groups—also known as SATGs. These highly organized crews are targeting neighborhoods and businesses across the country. Our guest breaks down how they operate, what they’re after, and, most importantly, how you can protect yourself.The Protectors Podcast - Defense Starts Here.GUEST CONTACT INFO:Jose Mendez Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jose-mendez-a754024b________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to our next episode of The Protectors Podcast. Today, Mike and Mark explore the intricate world of gold fraud—a crime that has defrauded Americans of over $126 million in 2024 alone. Scammers, often posing as government officials, manipulate victims into converting their savings into gold bars, which are then collected by couriers under false pretenses. Our guest expert breaks down these elaborate schemes and discusses the role cryptocurrency plays in this scam. Don't miss this essential discussion on protecting your family's wealth in an increasingly deceptive financial landscape.The Protectors Podcast – Where Awareness Meets ActionGUEST CONTACT INFO:ABC News Segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvvuKoHriPEMCPD Financial Crimes Section: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/fraud/financial-crimes-section.html________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to The Protectors Podcast! Today’s episode is a little different—our host, Mark Solomon, steps into the guest chair, while our producer takes over as cohost. Mark takes us deep into the world of AI and deep fakes, explaining just how shockingly realistic these digital forgeries have become. From hyper-realistic videos to nearly flawless audio impersonations, he walks us through the different types of deep fakes, what they mean for all of us, and most importantly, how to spot them before they fool you. Stay tuned for an eye-opening conversation that will change the way you see—and hear—digital content!Deep Fake Examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wVpVH0Wa6Ehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwFRU-pJcvk________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to The Protectors Podcast. Today, Mike and Mark welcome a subject matter expert who dives deep into fraud and scam prevention. She breaks down real-world scenarios, highlighting the red flags that people often miss. But more importantly, for every situation presented, she offers a solution—practical steps you can take and key websites to check before making a decision. If you want to stay ahead of the scammers, this episode is packed with the information you need.The Protectors Podcast - Protecting What MattersGUEST CONTACT INFO:Plessas.net: https://plessas.net/The Academy: https://academy.plessas.net/Contact Kirby: info@plessas.netLinks/Tips Mentioned On the Show:Google Lens: https://lens.google/Bing Images: https://www.bing.com/imagesFacecheck.id: https://facecheck.id/Ipaddress.com: https://www.ipaddress.com/Whatsmyname.app: https://whatsmyname.app/Archive.org: https://archive.org/Arrests.org: https://arrests.org/Operationshamrock.org: https://operationshamrock.org/IC3.gov: https://www.ic3.gov/Google Lens: https://lens.google/Bing Images: https://www.bing.com/imagesType "Who Is" into Google________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark welcome Todd Riedinger, a fraud investigator who has helped countless scam victims recover their stolen money. Todd shares insights into the growing threats of romance and elder scams, as well as a wide range of financial fraud schemes that target victims of all ages. Most importantly, Todd explains how the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) has been instrumental in solving cases and bringing fraudsters to justice. Fraud is everywhere, but with the right tools and teamwork, justice is possible—don’t miss this episode!The Protectors Podcast – Exposing Fraud, Empowering YouGUEST CONTACT INFO:Todd Riedinger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-t-riedinger-92552755/________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

At some point, fraud will touch everyone’s life. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, we sit down with a fraud prevention expert who introduces the PAR system—Prevention, Awareness, and Recovery—to help you minimize risk and bounce back. From practical recovery steps to the growing impact of artificial intelligence, this conversation equips you with tools to face the inevitable and come out stronger. No one is completely immune to fraud, so stay informed with The Protectors!The Protectors Podcast - Your Best Defense Against FraudGUEST CONTACT INFO:Carrie Kerskie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-kerskie-2503784Twitter: @CarrieKerskieYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf7enrEU5kRbyAasAXEO1Og/featuredLinks Mentioned On the Show:Tip Sheet: https://carriekerskie.com/tipsheet/________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com

Hi there, Protectors Podcast listeners! This is Mark Solomon, and I’m especially excited about today’s episode because our guest is someone I’m lucky enough to call my brother—John Solomon. Many of you know John as a nationally renowned investigative journalist and the founder of “Just the News” and the “John Solomon Reports” podcast. He has spent more than 30 years as an investigative journalist and has been at the forefront of uncovering some of the most important stories of our time. Today, he’s joining us to discuss the concerns of election fraud, foreign influence, and money laundering. No matter your political beliefs, election fraud is a threat to all nations when it comes to the integrity of our elections. Additionally, John will discuss the recent U.S. Treasury Department network intrusion that is believed to have been perpetrated by actors sponsored by the Republic of China. Are our federal agencies doing enough to protect our sensitive data and personal identifying information? Could this be the new global threat by sinister regimes to destabilize our infrastructure? We'll let you be the judge. Don't miss this episode as we explore some of the most significant concerns unfolding in the U.S. and internationally.Just The News: https://justthenews.com/John Solomon Reports Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/john-solomon-reports/id1495251160________________________________IAFCI CONTACT INFO:IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/Phone: 916-939-5000Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: IAFCIProtectorspodcast@gmail.com