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Queen of the Con
Queen of the ConSubscribed: 8,054Played: 262,510
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Description
From her Southern California mansion on a hill, Michelle Mack sends out a team of 12 young women that authorities call 'The California Girls' to steal millions of dollars in merchandise from high-end stores all over the country. Her neighbors think she's in the wedding business but in reality, she's a true Queen of the Con, raking in millions of dollars by selling her stolen loot on Amazon. And she's been getting away with it all for more than 10 years. But one of her California Girls is turning on her and things are about to get really interesting.
60 Episodes
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2After four years, you think you know someone. But what if you woke up one day to discover that your best friend is an international con artist – and that she’s scammed you out of your life savings? That’s what happened to Johnathan Walton, and he’s been out to set the record straight and protect future victims of his one-time best friend, Marianne Smyth. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When reality TV producer Johnathan Walton and his neighbors lose access to their resort-style swimming pool in their Downtown Los Angeles high-rise, they band together to push back against their landlord. At one of their protest parties, Johnathan meets Mair Smyth, a wealthy Irish heiress with a storied past who is battling some serious demons from her family back in Ireland. She dazzles the crowd, dropping in like an angel ready to solve everyone’s problems with the pool and beyond. But is Mair really the sweet savior she appears to be? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johnathan gets a panicked call from Mair...in jail. Her powerful Irish family set her up to make it look like she stole hundreds of thousands from her employer, all so they can torpedo her chances of getting her $25 million inheritance. Johnathan spends $70,000 trying to help Mair clear her name and help her get what’s rightfully hers. But one day he discovers "Mair Smyth" is not even her real name. And that's only the tip of the iceberg that forces Johnathan to question everything he thinks he knows about Mair Smyth. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johnathan discovers that his good will helping his best friend was actually a long con: Mair scammed him out of nearly $100,000. But his story is only the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a laundry list of cons, including credit card fraud, blackmail, and much more. When police refuse to take his case seriously, Jonathan takes to the internet, writing blog posts warning any future victims, including one in particular: a wealthy SoCal software engineer Mair is dating who has no idea what she has in store for him. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johnathan’s blog not only draws out more victims, it also stops one major crime before it happens. Mair comes very close to scamming a Newport Beach engineer into adding her name to the deeds of his two multi-million dollar homes—so that she can own half of them. But when the engineer’s ex-wife, herself a victim of Mair’s evil lies, finds Johnathan’s blog, the truth puts the kibosh on the con queen's plan just in the nick of time. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mair Smyth spectacularly scams a Los Angeles politician out of tens of thousands by impersonating his former mistress and making threats of taking their relationship public right before an election. Johnathan also learns that Mair’s been in the blackmail business for a while, conning men she meets on a “Sugar Daddy” dating site. As he uncovers each new head-spinning con, Johnathan wonders just how far down this rabbit hole goes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johnathan discovers that Mair Smyth’s cons have gone international, and police from Northern Ireland are hot on her trail. Mair's daughter Chelsea speaks out for the first time about her experience being raised by a con artist and getting roped into helping her scam $500,000 from dozens of victims in Northern Ireland. Chelsea reveals not only that Mair was an unfit mother, but offers a stunning psychological portrait of a woman who uses and exploits family members without a shred of remorse. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After doggedly pursuing law enforcement for years, Johnathan finally gets some relief. Mair Smyth is arrested in Los Angeles, but keeps herself busy awaiting trial. She uses a phony mental illness claim and a pair of crutches to trick a judge into going easy on her. But the folks she’s conned band together and are committed to fighting back. As Johnathan and his fellow victims put it all on the line to see her brought to justice, Mair’s next brazen scam could let her walk away scot-free. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mair Smyth goes on trial for scamming reality TV producer Johnathan Walton out of almost $100,000. But her latest con could prevent Walton from being allowed in the courtroom to testify against her. Victims come out of the woodwork to tell the court how she scammed them. Even her own daughter, Chelsea, shows up and tells the judge Mair is a pathological liar. But Mair's attorney casts doubt on everyone's story, threatening to thwart the justice her victims have sought for so long. As the trial reaches a fever pitch, who will the jury believe? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this bonus episode, Johnathan catches up with Buddha Noah, a Los Angeles spiritual advisor who saw the future months before Mair was charged, arrested, and convicted—and implored Johnathan not to give up just when he was about to throw in the towel. The two talk about the dark energy Buddha Noah saw in Mair Smyth, how he knew Johnathan would ultimately see justice served, and what he thinks karma has in store for this Queen of the Con. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this bonus episode, Johnathan reviews the case of Mair Smyth with Tori Telfer, author of the award-winning book Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion. They talk about the profile of the female con artist, what Telfer has learned from her research on famous con women, why these smart criminals make some of the dumbest mistakes, and how listeners can avoid falling prey to cons. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lizzie Mulder appears to be a wealthy Orange County CPA, swooping in like an angel to help small business owners manage their companies. After this clever con artist’s scams push her clients to the brink, Lizzie ends up in the crosshairs of an enterprising Laguna Beach detective and the FBI. But even that heat can’t prevent Lizzie from pulling her most brazen con yet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After going public for putting "The Irish Heiress" con artist Mair Smyth behind bars, Queen of the Con host Johnathan Walton gets deluged by requests from hundreds of victims of other con artists asking for help bringing their scammers to justice. One of the most fascinating cases to come across Johnathan’s desk takes place in Orange County, California. Lizzie Mulder is no Real Housewife—she’s a dazzling CPA with an impressive pedigree and roster of high-end clientele. But things are not what they appear to be, as one of her victims learns the hard way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Lizzie’s husband Jesse calls up salon owners Lauren and Geneva to tell them that his wife has been stealing from them, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Suddenly, Laguna Beach PD’s fraud detective Jordan Mirakian is fielding calls from a number of victims. He learns that Lizzie used an elaborate system of phony emails, invoices, bank accounts, and even voice-disguising technology to con her victims out of hundreds of thousands. But it’s how she gets inside the life and finances of a winery owner that hits a diabolical new low. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Jay Avery needs to take a break from his new wine business to go to rehab, Lizzie Mulder is there for him like family. And when she takes the reins of his winery, business is booming and Jay gets an attractive offer from a Chinese investor who wants to pump millions into his company. The only problem is that every time they set up a meeting, the investor inexplicably cancels at the last minute. When Jay and his wife Marla finally learn what Lizzie’s really been up to, they go straight to the police. But will anyone believe them? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is con artist Lizzie Mulder working alone? A trusted business owner known as "The Dog Trainer" gives Lizzie a glowing recommendation to print shop owner and victim Mike Cochran. So Mike hires her to do the books for his business. He also introduces Lizzie to his parents who need tax help. Then tragedy strikes. Mike’s ailing father takes a turn for the worse and gets admitted into hospice care. And con artist Lizzie Mulder… takes full advantage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
While Lizzie Mulder is scamming the salon, the print shop, and the winery, her biggest victim yet is unknowingly waiting in the wings. Jen Rodriguez is a co-worker of Lizzie’s at a successful website that sells luxury travel experiences to a high-end clientele. Lizzie uses every dirty trick in her arsenal of cons and causes the company to lose millions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a shocking turn of events, Lizzie Mulder’s own husband, Jesse, shows up unannounced to the Laguna Beach police department and confesses to detective Jordan Mirakian that his wife is stealing millions of dollars from her clients. And then suddenly, con artist Lizzie Mulder uses the element of surprise to her advantage and ambushes detective Mirakian at a local park; telling him she wants to talk about her case. The detective convinces her to come down to the police station to talk and then records their entire conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Con artist Lizzie Mulder tries her darndest to spin her elaborate scams as innocent misunderstandings, but Detective Jordan Mirakian soon catches her in documented lie after lie. Especially about one victim she scams named Joe Love. While the criminal case against Lizzie Mulder gets stronger and stronger, the detective’s higher-ups and the Orange County DA’s office order him to close the case—and let Lizzie Mulder walk away scot-free. But what Detective Mirakian does next... no one sees coming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Once Detective Jordan Mirakian gets the IRS and FBI involved with the Lizzie Mulder case, a federal courtroom becomes ground zero for the con artist’s auspicious reckoning. In never before heard audio recordings of the gripping proceedings, victims come out of the woodwork to tell a federal judge just how irreparably damaged they are as a result of Lizzie’s many scams. But will the judge believe them? Or will he believe Lizzie Mulder, who has already proven herself to be one of the most convincing liars?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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I'm listening to episode 6 of the California girls and the description of Johnathan 's hair piece has me in tears. Absolutely hysterical. Love this podcast.
I really like this podcast, but the amount of ads it has is ridiculous!
when the shoplifter girl said her dad's position and employer.... 😬. I feel like that info combined with knowing he passed away and when could probably lead people to her identity pretty easily.
love this podcast series, well researched and fascinating. but sooo many commercials - more than a TV show! to have 2-3 minutes of commercials 3 times in a essentially 30 minutes podcast is wild. I don't blame the show creators because I believe you all should make money to make the podcast, but this is the issue with all iHeartRadio podcasts
Jen Shah story is amusing and frustrating at the same time. Great story telling - except many things about the Mormon church are plain wrong. 2 years to become a member? Only card carrying members can attend? In truth, all are welcome to attend, and membership is only limited by age. Must be 8 years old to be baptized and all races have always been welcome for membership. A few worthiness interviews and you can then be baptized. Also painting the SLC area as racist is greatly overstated.
interesting podcast but I'm giving up after episode 1, I can't stand all the ads.
⭕𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛➤➤👉https://www.justhd.online
Hope they do a season on Othani's translator.
way too many commercials!!!!
the Athlete Whisperer series is too padded, too repetitive and a horrendous amount of adverts. Only listen if you can fast forward through the dross
Dude. This half-assed defense of Elizabeth Holmes just shows why you're such a mark.
so many commercials!
The podcast "Queen of the Con" is a captivating exploration of the world of cons, scams, and the masterminds behind them. Hosted by [Host Name], this podcast delves into the fascinating and often unbelievable tales of individuals who have pulled off some of the most audacious cons in history. From pyramid schemes to art heists, this podcast takes listeners on a rollercoaster ride through the world of deception. https://www.cylex.us.com/company/rigid-box-packaging-37082974.html One of the standout features of "Queen of the Con" is its in-depth interviews with both the perpetrators and the victims of these cons. These firsthand accounts provide a unique and often chilling insight into the minds of con artists and the devastating impact their actions can have on their victims. It humanizes the stories, making them relatable on a personal level. https://rigidboxpackaging.2fl.co/
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I don't normally leave a comment. After listening to Wrongful Conviction,where there are true voices, I have to say about this woman and her excuses ......what a dick
I think I'm sick of this dude bringing himself and his experience back into everyone's story.
Ok but Billy is still a conman. He used to Fyre Fest mailing list to sell people absolutely fake tickets to major NYC events and he knew there were no actual tickets. But also, he's doing a Fyre Fest II!! it's supposedly happening think may or June of 2024. yikes
She did her own research but that's not too helpful if you're as ridiculously naive as this woman. And, are people still under the impression that the BBB is legit?? There's been quite a bit of reporting on what a scam they are. kind of ironic.
Enjoyed this!! I def will trust my intuition from now on. I know ppl that acts just like this and knew from the moment I met them that something was off. And it cost me years of grief! So so glad some justice was served! Felt good hearing that they were found out and some actions were taken..