Pretend Podcast

In part 3 of Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey, we explore the intense battle between Anthony Christopher and LaDonna. Anthony, LaDonna's former boss, shares his story of harassment, alleging LaDonna's relentless efforts to destroy his life and career. From sending spoof emails to unauthorized background checks, LaDonna's actions led to a legal showdown that landed her in jail for destroying evidence and contempt of court and awarded Anthony a multimillion-dollar judgment.

In this episode, we explore the troubling allegations against LaDonna Humphrey surrounding the Melissa Witt case. Crime victim advocate Patti Rush shares her story, claiming that Humphrey, once seen as an ally, was actually behind years of harassment and deceit. From stolen evidence to questionable motives, we peel back the layers on a complicated figure. Patti Rush, a dedicated crime victim advocate, shares her experiences and evidence, suggesting that Humphrey, who was once seen as a supportive ally, may have been orchestrating years of harassment and deceit. We'll discuss stolen evidence, questionable motives, and the broader implications for the true crime community.

Kurtis Minder, the Ransomware Negotiator   Ransomware. Does that term ring a bell? Even if you’ve never heard those words before, trust me, most of us have experienced Ransomware one way or another. If you live on the East Coast, you remember waiting long hours at the gas pump this past May. That’s because a hacking group known as DarkSide hacked the Colonial Pipeline. The hackers demanded a ransom for 75 bitcoins which is equivalent to $4.4 million. How did the hackers break into the oil company’s system? Easy. Some employees used the same password they used on another account that was previously hacked. And guess what? Colonial Pipeline paid the ransom and the hackers. $4.4. million dollars—gone, just like that. The Justice Department was able to eventually recover half of the money, $2.2 million. When we hear about news like this, we mostly ignore it. Until we run out of gas and everyone panics. But once we were able to fill up our tanks again, we all moved o

Where do sovereign citizens go when they need medical attention? Some of them seek help from homeopathic quacks like Rick Van Thiel.  Rick Van Thiel is not a surgeon. In reality, he’s a porn star operating on people with dirty scalpels, reused needs, surrounded by filth. And the worst part is, he performs his surgeries in the nude.  The last episode about sovereign citizens was just exposition for what you’re about to hear. I first learned about this story from Jerri William’s podcast called FBI retired Case File Review. Jerri Williams is a retired FBI agent who interviews other former agents on her show. If you haven’t listened to it, you’re missing out. Her episode haunted me for days. So, I asked Jerri Williams if I can share this story with you. If you thought the last sovereign citizen episode was shocking, wait till you hear this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQDtqG0iVHc

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Sovereign Citizens Refuse to Recognize the U.S. as a Legitimate Government   American Sovereign citizens believe that the laws of the United States do not apply to them. Therefore, no authority can tell them what to do: not judges, lawmakers, lawyers, or police officers. Oh, and they don’t pay taxes either.  Those who identify as sovereign citizens don’t display state License plates, they don’t register their cars with the DMV, and they don’t carry legal driver’s licenses. Instead, they have their own bizarre way of identification. Sounds crazy, right? It would be crazy if only they didn’t get away with it so often. This must be a joke? I wish it were. Sadly, these guys really believe that they don’t have to abide by the laws of this country. And as entertaining as they may seem, sovereign citizens are a growing threat and considered a domestic terrorism group by the FBI. According to the So

A blurred line between law enforcement and crime There are two sides to Billy. There’s Billy, who just wants to do the right thing. And then there’s the criminal lurking from within. So which way did he go? Did Billy end up becoming a criminal? Or did he choose to be the good guy in his own story? Well, he decided to do both. If you’ve listened to this show long enough, you know I go to great lengths to fact-check my episodes. But today is different because it’s tough to corroborate Billy’s stories. And that’s okay. One of my favorite movies is Big Fish with Ewan McGregor. It’s about a man who lived an extraordinary life. In the end, it turned out that most of his tall tales were true–but just a little skewed due to time. And that’s how I feel about Billy. Some of these stories are too incredible to be real. But they might be. He’s always wrestled between being the good guy and the bad

Criminal Conduct is back with a brand new case. This season, John and Javier investigate a rogue constable in Kentucky who is accused of planting drugs, stealing money, and shaking people down. Like a police officer, a constable can carry a gun, a badge and drive around town with blue lights. However, unlike police, a Constable has all the powers of a sheriff. He answers to no one but the voters on election day. Criminal Conduct season 2 returns April 16th. The post The Constable (Criminal Conduct) appeared first on Pretend Podcast.

In 2021, the polygraph machine turns 100 years old. Man has been lying since the beginning of time. That’s a lot of lying. And humans have tried all kinds of creative ways to find out if someone is telling the truth. The oldest technique is torture. In the middle ages, they would use boiling water on suspected liars. They believed that honest men would tolerate the pain better. Brutal.  Torture almost guarantees a confession. But the quality of those confessions is pretty unreliable. It wasn’t until 1921 that a machine was created that could measure both blood and breathing. We call this the polygraph machine. It’s much gentler than pulling off fingernails with pliers. But the question is, how accurate is it? The device has changed forms since its inception, but the basic technology essentially remains the same. For more fun facts and resources about the polygraph, visit antipolygraph.org. William Moulton Marston  William Moulton Mar

VICTIMS Insists on Innocence in Face of Stalking Accusations Disclaimer: The following article is based on true events but uses a pseudonym for the individuals involved. The names “Claudia Rodriguez” and “David Rodriguez” are fictional names used in the PRETEND podcast. Additionally, an update regarding the case has emerged since the initial reporting. Tanya and Rick Fernandez have been charged with harassment and computer tampering as a result of this series. Their trial is scheduled for September 5, 2023. In the ongoing case of the Fernandez family’s cyberstalking saga, new evidence suggests the harassing messages were generated inside the family’s home. This revelation has led some to question whether the family could be responsible for the stalking and whether they may be doing it to gain attention. However, Rick and Tanya Fernandez have consistently maintained their innocence. They insist that their oldest daughter, who was initially accused of being the perpetrator,

South Carolina serial killer Todd Kohlhepp confesses to the Superbike Motorsports mass murder. The post S107: The Realtor – Todd Kohlhepp Confesses part 2 appeared first on Pretend Podcast.

The Word of Faith Fellowship, it’s become synonymous with horrifying rituals, physical abuse, and forced isolation. John Cooper remembers one of the Word of Faith Fellowship ministers commanding him to beat his wife. The post S102: The Prophet – Word of Faith Fellowship Part 2 appeared first on Pretend Podcast.

Pastor Jane Whaley, who many consider a cult leader, claims she is a prophet with direct communication with God. The post S101: The Prophet – Word of Faith Fellowship Part 1 appeared first on Pretend Podcast.

Frank Abagnale, once the dazzling protagonist of “Catch Me If You Can,” made up his entire life story.Is he the greatest con artist of all time? Or was he simply a legend in his own mind? But by the mid-1980s, the sheen of his notorious past began to wane. Abagnale, far from lounging in luxury, found a new avenue to exploit: investment scams. Doctors, real estate agents, and other professionals—became his newest targets. Virginia Morris, a sharp-witted real estate agent from Houston, Texas, was one such mark. Entrusted with her trust, Abagnale walked away with a staggering $20,000 of her money, all under the guise of a “surefire” investment.Frank Abagnale’s $20,000 Scheme:It’s one thing to watch Abagnale’s antics in cinema, quite another to face his treachery in real life. For Virginia and countless others, the line between the movie reel and reality blurred distressingly, turning Abagnale into a living nightmare.The Quest for Justice: A Labyr

Frank Abagnale Strikes Again!How deep does the rabbit hole go? Just when we thought we knew it all about Frank Abagnale, he keeps surprising us. With each episode, the astonishing tales of deception intensify.Abagnale’s Audacious New Tales of Deception:Frank Abagnale Mount Vernon Vagrancy & Police Impersonation 1965The Cop with a Toy GunFrank Abagnale once donned a makeshift police badge and armed himself with a mere toy gun. Yes, you read that right. A toy gun. And he played the part perfectly. Too bad he was immediately busted.Frank Abagnale Preschool Puerto RicoThe Pilot Turned Preschool WorkerMost of us remember his daring stints as a pilot, but did you know he also posed as one to secure a job at a preschool? Oh, Frank.  In 1967, Abagnale took a group of unsuspecting teachers on an “all-expense paid” trip to the sunny coasts of Puerto Rico. Classic Frank.Frank Abagnale Expose Featured in the New York PostFrank Abagnale Gets National Spotlight in The New York

Romance Scam: Boyfriend says Jennifer Mitchell is a Con Artist in Disguise John Coutu found himself facing a daunting visit from the IRS, with a claim totaling $80,000 hanging over his head. IRS’s $80,000 Claim: John Coutu’s Wake-Up Call Jennifer Mitchell, presenting herself as a loving girlfriend willing to manage John’s taxes, ultimately reveals her true colors as a con artist, leading him down a dangerous path of deceit. The Anatomy of a Scam: Jennifer’s Web of Deception As the layers of Jennifer’s elaborate scam unfold, it becomes clear that she not only neglected to file John’s taxes but also impersonated IRS officials to maintain her ruse. Navigating Love and Lies: The Con Artist’s Impact on Trust and Taxes This episode of PRETEND Podcast delves into the complicated dynamics between love and financial betrayal, highlighting the importance of wariness and honesty in the shadow of a con artist’s manipulation. Listen to the full epi

David Crow describes himself as his father’s partner in crime. In today’s episode, we dive into the riveting story of David Crow, the author behind “The Pale-Faced Lie,” portraying a father and son’s entanglement in criminal activities. David shares his journey as his father’s accomplice, constantly by his side, and the experience of growing up with a violent and convicted felon who used the Native American reservation as a hideout from his foes. This episode unfolds the tale of a young boy wrestling with his identity, caught between his father’s domineering presence and his aspirations for a different life. We’ve only scratched the surface in today’s episode with David Crow. Listen to the full episode on PRETEND Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe for free to never miss out on our weekly adventures into con artists and deception.  The Pale Face Lie part 1  The Pale Face Lie part 2 Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Stay Con

How Ana Montes’ Family Ties Unraveled the Cuban Spy Plot Against the U.S. Start here: Part one of “The Cuban Spy” When the lights of the Pentagon dimmed and the rest of D.C. settled into the night, Ana Montes began her covert dance as a Cuban spy. But after 17 years in this dangerous tango, her own bloodline played an unexpected role in her downfall. Dive in as we delve deeper into the captivating world of espionage, loyalty, and unexpected betrayals. From Shadows to Spotlight: The Unraveling of Ana Montes, the Cuban Spy Hidden within the Pentagon’s vast maze, Ana Montes expertly spun her web of secrets for Cuba. Yet, as with all intricate schemes, the threads began to loosen. Over 17 covert years, her dance with deception went unnoticed, but even the best-laid plots have their breaking point. Venture with us into the moment it all came undone The post Ana Montes: The Cuban Spy part 2 appeared first on Pretend Podcast

Unmasking Munchausen by Proxy: Confronting Perpetrators, Reporting Dilemmas, and the Tragic Tale of Hope Ybarra In today’s episode, we continue discussing Munchausen by Proxy. Can perpetrators be treated? Should suspicions of maternal abuse be reported, and what happens if we get it wrong? We’re diving deep into these tough questions while shedding light on the chilling downfall of Hope Ybarra. Munchausen Support: https://www.munchausensupport.com/resources/ The post The Proxy part 2 – Unmasking Munchausen by Proxy appeared first on Pretend Podcast.

Understanding Munchausen by Proxy: Unveiling Its Prevalence and Identifying Signs In this podcast episode, we’ll discuss Munchausen by Proxy and how to identify it. And we’re not talking about scandalous stories like the ones you’ve seen on TV. In fact, we will focus on the less popular cases to show you that this form of abuse is far more common than we even realized. You may know someone who is a victim of Munchausen by proxy and not even realizes it.   Munchausen by Proxy Support: https://www.munchausensupport.com/resources/   Also, check out the hit podcast, “Nobody S Nobody Should Believe Me Podcast by Andrea Dunlop ve Me” by Andrea Dunlop, for more in-depth reporting on this topic. Follow Pretend Podcast on social media: Twitter TikTok YouTube PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia.  It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix. To advertise on our podca

Rick and Tanya Fernandez face 6 felonies combined for harassment and computer tampering. Rick and Tanya Fernandez’s criminal trial is scheduled on September 5, 2023 The popular crime podcast, Pretend Podcast, hosted by investigative journalist Javier Leiva, first brought this perplexing story to the public’s attention. Over the last two years, Leiva spent countless hours uncovering new information on the potential stalker by interviewing the suspects and even recruiting an ethical hacker.   Tanya and Rick Fernandez, a couple living in the Phoenix, Arizona area, claimed that their daughter’s doctor is a cyberstalker who terrorized them for three years.   But in a strange turn of events, the Fernandezes were indicted for causing harassment against a Phoenix-area doctor. This indictment raises questions about the validity of Fernandez’s claims and has left many wondering if they were responsible for the harassment.   Tanya and Rick Fernandez face m