Fraudsters

In the finale of our Vince McMahon series, Seena, Ariel, and Justin explore the end of Vince's reign as the head of his wrestling empire. How, despite a host of sex trafficking allegations, institutional cover-ups, securities fraud claims, and federal investigations does he end up free and clear while his ex-wife becomes Secretary of Education? Only one way to find out.

In this week's Fraudwire, we take a break from the Vince McMahon series for Seena and Ariel to discuss Selena Gomez and her mother's shady brand, a Chik-fil-A worker's clever Richard Pryor-esque refund scheme, and an insidious remote-work scam.

Jump into a steel cage death match with Seena, Ariel, and Justin as they explore how Vince McMahon built a wrestling empire at the expense of everything else. In this first episode of the series, we track his villain origin story from a dilapidated shack to a steam-powered rocket ship.

On our second Fraudwire of Season 6, Seena and Ariel discuss the scourge of clip-farming, question the ethics of gambling on war, and explore the worst possible outcome for pretending to be pregnant.

In the first deep-dive of Season 6 – Seena, Ariel, and Justin discuss former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and his tenuous relationship with the truth. In Part One, we track his rise from a skateboarding (?), rat-owning (?) youth through his time in the NYPD, NY State Senate, and eventually all the way to City Hall where he proudly served the citizens of NYC (and Turkey).

Fraudsters is back with SEASON 6 - THE VILLAINS. We know, every season has villains, but this season will feel hit different: a crooked mayor, a deranged CEO, a children's show hellbent on hijacking YOUR kid's brain and a few more surprises. Seena, Justin, and Ariel are back! Expect deep dives mixed in with some Fraudwires so we can talk about the latest in what's frauding around the world.

This week’s bonus episode is an interview with Marsha Levick, the co-founder and Chief Legal Officer of the Juvenile Law Center. We dive into the infamous Kids for Cash scandal—how it was exposed, the fight for justice, and the larger patterns of corruption that allow people to profit from locking up kids. We also explore the devastating impact of the War on Drugs on juvenile incarceration, the dehumanization of youth in the system, and how policing and policy have evolved from Reagan to today. Where have we made progress, and what work still needs to be done?

In this week’s bonus interview, we sit down with Yasmin Cader, Deputy Director of the ACLU and Director of the Trone Center for Justice and Equality, to explore the lasting impact of the War on Drugs on the U.S. criminal justice system. Yasmin shares what led her to become a public defender and her experiences practicing in D.C., NYC, and L.A. at the height of mass incarceration. We dive into the role of punitive drug laws, racial disparities in enforcement, police militarization, and the myths surrounding mass incarceration. Finally, we discuss the critical work being done to challenge the prison industrial complex and explore real solutions for drug policy reform.

Welcome to the land of bonus episodes, where we release long-form interviews with a variety of guests about the war on drugs that we recorded in the summer of 2024. Here is our interview with Montel Williams. Now the host of Let’s Be Blunt, the number one rated Cannabis podcast in 2023, Montel Williams was a Marine and Navy officer where he undertook rescue missions and earned multiple medals of distinction. He then transitioned into the world of television where he became a household name with The Montel Williams Show, winning an Emmy in 1996 for Outstanding Talk Show Host. As you’ll hear in this interview, his show often tackled tough, controversial subjects, including the war on drugs and CIA involvement. We’ll hear about his transition from military service to talk show host, how his MS diagnosis led him to become an advocate of cannabis, and how the US used racism to perpetuate the war on drugs.

What, you thought we were done talking about The War on Drugs?! Well, think again! We’re back with a special epilogue and we're diving into Operation Pipe Dreams, the infamous federal investigation that led to the arrest of Tommy Chong. Join us as we explore how this operation led by John Ashcroft and Mary Beth Buchanon targeted businesses selling drug paraphernalia across the country. We sit down with journalist Brian Conway for an in-depth look at the operation's impact, and Tommy Chong himself alongside his son, Paris, who share their experience getting busted and reflect on the evolving war on drugs. It's a wild ride through one of the most notable moments in the history of drug enforcement.

Get ready for one of the most sinister and heartbreaking frauds this week – the Kids for Cash scandal. Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan turned Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system into their very own cash cow, sentencing kids to private detention centers they secretly profited from. How else are you gonna clear $330,000 of credit card debt…? From denying legal representation to forcing minors into facilities over petty offenses, their scheme destroyed lives for kickbacks. Join us as we unravel their twisted web of greed and power with guests Marsha Levick co-founder of the Juvenile Law Center and Corene Kendrick of the ACLU.

In the summer of 1989, President George H.W. Bush’s War on Drugs needs a dramatic touch for his first national address: a bag of crack cocaine bought steps from the White House. The DEA zeroes in on Keith Jackson, an unsuspecting young dealer, luring him into a dangerous setup to secure the president’s controversial prop. As Bush’s speech electrifies the nation, Keith faces life-altering consequences, sparking questions about political theater, selective justice, and a deeply flawed system. Tune in now as we dive into the chilling tactics used in America’s zero-tolerance crusade with the help of our guest, journalist Jefferson Morley.

Get ready for a deep dive into America’s anti-drug propaganda! This week, we’re tackling everything from Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” crusade to McGruff the Crime Dog and the DARE program. We’re digging up the roots of these campaigns, exploring how they reshaped public perception and exposing the contradictions of Nancy’s White House role. From the scare tactics of Harry Anslinger to those unforgettable ‘80s and ‘90s PSA (“This is Your Brain on Drugs” and so much more) we break down how these campaigns blamed users while ignoring the real issues behind addiction.