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  • The Wallet, The Fish, and The Man Who Wasn't Duane

    The Wallet, The Fish, and The Man Who Wasn't Duane
    2026/09/10
    The Wallet, The Fish, and The Man Who Wasn't Duane

    Imagine a meticulous life, carefully constructed with routines and trust, suddenly infiltrated by a deception so intricate it defies belief. A routine inspection uncovers a wallet with $940 and a driver's license, but the woman on the license has no connection to the property. How did this wallet become the first clue in unraveling a sophisticated romantic scam that targeted a steady, careful woman?

    In this episode, we delve into the story of Alice Hunt, a billing coordinator whose precise nature made her an unlikely victim of a long-running operation. We explore how three men orchestrated a scheme that wasn't a simple catfish, but a meticulously coordinated rotation using a single identity to exploit trust.

    Person: Alice Hunt
    Date: March 11, 2019 (discovery of wallet)
    Location: Mercer County, Ohio
    Object: Burgundy leather wallet
    Contents: $940 cash, driver's license, coffee shop punch card

    - Roy Schultz found a wallet containing $940 in cash at a vacant rental property.
    - Alice Hunt, 32, worked as a billing coordinator at an orthopedic clinic.
    - She kept seven fish in a freshwater aquarium, fed daily at 6:15 AM and 5:45 PM.
    - A blind date was arranged for Alice in October 2018 with a man named Duane Lewis.
    - Phone calls from "Duane Lewis" consistently originated 40 miles east of Clover Township.

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    21 分
  • The Nutritionist: He Stole Her Health, Then Her Heart

    The Nutritionist: He Stole Her Health, Then Her Heart
    2026/09/09
    The Nutritionist: He Stole Her Health, Then Her Heart

    Imagine finding your loved one's phone abandoned on a bridge at 4:19 AM, the call still connected to a man named Ray. This chilling discovery by a birdwatcher led to a shocking revelation about a romance scam that preyed on loneliness and a health crisis. What dark truth did Terry Wilson uncover on that cold February morning?

    In this episode, we delve into the story of Terry Wilson, a 52-year-old accounts manager living in Mapleburg, Ohio, whose life took a dramatic turn after a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. We explore how a seemingly innocent health app connected Terry with a man who would exploit his vulnerabilities, leading to a devastating financial and emotional betrayal.

    Person: Terry Wilson
    Date: February 11, 2022
    Location: Harkin Creek bridge, Mapleburg, Ohio
    Status: Unresolved
    Topic: Romance scam

    - A Samsung Galaxy phone was found on Harkin Creek bridge at 4:19 AM with a call timer of 4 hours, 19 minutes.
    - Terry Wilson was 52 years old and an accounts manager at Carver Logistics in 2020.
    - Terry was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the fall of 2020 and downloaded the NutriPath app.
    - Terry wired forty-two thousand dollars to a P.O. box in Garfield Heights, Ohio, not Phoenix, Arizona.
    - The P.O. box was discovered by Terry's friend, Megan Draper, in early February 2022.

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    24 分
  • The Engineer Who Stole Her Widow's Trust

    The Engineer Who Stole Her Widow's Trust
    2026/09/08
    The Engineer Who Stole Her Widow's Trust

    Imagine losing your husband, then finding a new connection through a trusted network, only to discover it was a meticulously crafted romantic scam. Pamela Zeller, a woman known for her practical competence, lost $76,000 to a man who targeted grieving women through a faith-based social network. How did a civil engineer's LinkedIn profile become the instrument of such a devastating betrayal?

    In this episode, we explore the story of Pamela Zeller, a Nebraska farmer who, after the sudden death of her husband, found herself entangled in a sophisticated online romance scam. We delve into the methods of a methodical man who spent four years preying on vulnerable women, and the profound question of what is truly stolen when trust itself is lost.

    Person: Pamela Zeller
    Date: January 9, 2019
    Location: Dufrain, Nebraska
    Amount Stolen: $76,000
    Scammer's Alias: Howard Moore

    - Pamela Zeller was found on concrete steps in 17-degree air, wearing only a cotton nightgown.
    - The scammer used photographs downloaded from a real civil engineer named Marcus Thelen's LinkedIn account in February 2018.
    - Pamela and Raymond Zeller ran a 340-acre cow-calf operation for 21 years.
    - Raymond Zeller died in the spring of 2016 at 49 years old from a cardiac event.
    - The first certificate of deposit, holding $42,000, was due to mature in September 2018.

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    25 分
  • The Chess Game That Stole Her Life

    The Chess Game That Stole Her Life
    2026/09/07
    The Chess Game That Stole Her Life

    Imagine finding a car abandoned on a snowy Ohio road, engine off, no driver, but with warm coffee in the cupholder and a chess game mid-play on the passenger seat. This unsettling scene marked the disappearance of 28-year-old Erin Edwards, a case that baffled investigators until a retired paralegal and a man in Boise, Idaho, uncovered the sinister truth behind the chess pieces. What hidden message was embedded in that unfinished game, and how did it reveal a meticulously crafted romantic scam?

    In this episode, we delve into the disappearance of Erin Edwards and the chilling details of a romantic fraud that unfolded over ten months. Discover how a woman's loyalty was exploited through a fake online persona, leading to a devastating outcome far worse than anyone could have imagined.

    Person: Erin Edwards
    Age: 28
    Location: Millhaven, Ohio
    Online Platform: ClockMove
    Scammer's Alias: Tom Kelleher

    - Erin Edwards ran the billing department of an orthopedic clinic with systems and discipline.
    - She created an account on ClockMove, a platform for shared games, in February.
    - The scammer, Susan Lawson, used the alias Tom Kelleher, a 41-year-old civil engineer from Portland, Oregon.
    - Erin transferred four thousand dollars to "Tom" in May, believing it was for his divorce attorney.
    - A handmade chess set with the initials T.K. was sent to Erin, later revealed to be a forced checkmate in four moves.

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    26 分
  • The Bridge, The Box, and The Man Who Saved Her Life

    The Bridge, The Box, and The Man Who Saved Her Life
    2026/09/06
    The Bridge, The Box, and The Man Who Saved Her Life

    Imagine finding a hidden letter that reads, "Dennis, I want you to know you saved my life," only to discover it was written by a woman who had just ended a relationship with the very man it praises. This isn't a story of simple naivety, but a chilling case study in precision, where a man spent two years meticulously crafting a trap. How did a cardboard box, a fake identity, and a beloved community become instruments in a devastating romance scam?

    In this episode, we delve into the story of Connie Bowers, a breast cancer survivor who found solace in an online support group, only to realize the man she trusted most had orchestrated her entire community as a sophisticated deception. We explore the intricate methods used to exploit her vulnerabilities and the unexpected discovery that brought the truth to light.

    Person: Connie Bowers
    Date: November 2019
    Location: Morrow, North Carolina
    Status: Survivor of cancer and a romance scam
    Topic: Online deception and emotional manipulation

    - A repair technician found a letter in a cardboard box wedged in an eight-inch gap.
    - The scammer, Dennis Wells, was 56 years old and lived 12 miles from Connie.
    - He used a photograph of Douglas Prentiss, a retired schoolteacher from Boise, Idaho.
    - Dennis spent two years in the Weathering It Together Facebook group before contacting Connie.
    - Connie made eleven specific money transfers, never in round numbers, to help other "group members."

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    24 分
  • The 47 Letters: He Never Left Ohio

    The 47 Letters: He Never Left Ohio
    2026/09/05
    The 47 Letters: He Never Left Ohio

    Imagine discovering a canvas sack containing 47 handwritten letters, bundled by date, with postmarks from a Greek refugee camp and a Columbus address that matches no known person. These letters were crafted with such precision that they found the exact shape of one woman's compassion, yet the man who wrote them never left Ohio. What elaborate deception could connect these disparate facts?

    In this episode, we uncover the story of Janet Lawson, a 22-year-old social work student who volunteered for a pen pal program connecting refugees with American volunteers. Her commitment led her to correspond with a man named Keith, a supposed civil engineer from Sierra Leone living in a Greek refugee camp, whose letters slowly built a compelling narrative that would ultimately reveal a shocking truth.

    Person: Janet Lawson
    Age: 22
    Location: Millhaven, Muskingum County, Ohio
    Object: 47 handwritten letters
    Period: Autumn 2017 - November 2018

    - Larry Sharp, a 43-year-old physical therapist, found the dry canvas sack in six feet of wet ground near the Mettler Creek culvert.
    - The earliest postmarks on the letters were from a Greek refugee camp, while the most recent showed a Columbus address.
    - Janet Lawson volunteered at the Harmon Street Refugee Assistance Center for fourteen consecutive months.
    - Keith Price, the supposed pen pal, claimed to be 34 years old and a civil engineer from Sierra Leone.
    - Beth Nguyen, the program coordinator, identified a forged sponsorship document in under one minute due to an outdated UNHCR case number format.

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    24 分
  • The Man Who Loved Her Never Existed

    The Man Who Loved Her Never Existed
    2026/09/04
    The Man Who Loved Her Never Existed

    Imagine falling deeply in love over two months, only to discover the man you adored was a phantom, a carefully constructed lie. This chilling reality struck Jean Brooks, a skeptical retired teacher, after a cut padlock at a self-storage unit revealed a phone displaying a conversation that would unravel her world. How could a woman with a "professional allergy to things that did not add up" miss the signs of such a profound deception?

    In this episode, we uncover the intricate web of a romance scam that ensnared Jean Brooks, a woman who believed she had found happiness after a quiet divorce and an early retirement. We explore the subtle tactics used by the scammer, known to Jean as Alan Moore, and the devastating impact of his carefully crafted persona.

    Person: Jean Brooks, William Parker, Bev Tully, Connie, Alan Moore (scammer)
    Date: Late June (messages began), Late August (first financial request), September (padlock discovered)
    Location: Belmont Self-Storage, Ferris Street, Clearwater Elementary, Hennessey's Diner, Millhaven
    Status: Romance scam discovered
    Topic: Online deception

    - William Parker discovered a cut padlock at Belmont Self-Storage on a Tuesday morning in September.
    - Inside a storage unit, a phone displayed a conversation, connected to a wireless keyboard in a child's shoebox.
    - Jean Brooks, a 38-year-old retired fourth-grade teacher, had been corresponding with "Alan Moore" for two months.
    - "Alan Moore" claimed to be a 44-year-old divorced architect, deaf since childhood, working remotely from Millhaven.
    - The first financial request from "Alan Moore" arrived in late August, accompanied by fake legal documentation.

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    24 分
  • The Man Built From Other Men: Roger's $163,000 Blind Spot

    The Man Built From Other Men: Roger's $163,000 Blind Spot
    2026/09/03
    The Man Built From Other Men: Roger's $163,000 Blind Spot

    The chilling truth behind a $163,000 romance scam reveals how a meticulous man like Roger Callahan, a logistics coordinator who tracked shipments and discrepancies for a living, fell victim to a carefully constructed deception. How did a man who "was not naive" and "not isolated" become entangled in a web of lies spun by a phantom civil engineer?

    In this episode, we uncover the elaborate scheme that targeted Roger Callahan, a structured man living in Millhaven, Indiana, after the death of his wife. We explore the subtle red flags noticed by a retired chemistry teacher and the surprising details that ultimately exposed the fraud.

    Person: Roger Callahan
    Location: Millhaven, Indiana
    Amount: $163,000
    Date: August 2019 (discovery)
    Platform: Heartline (dating platform)

    - Roger Callahan lived on Pembrook Circle for 19 years and worked as a logistics coordinator at Ardmore Freight.
    - His wife Patricia died in the spring of 2015, and he joined Heartline in September 2018.
    - James Whitmore claimed to be a civil engineer from Columbus, Ohio, working in Lagos, Nigeria, with a daughter in Portland.
    - The profile photograph of James Whitmore belonged to George Paulson, a retired architect from Knoxville, Tennessee.
    - A photograph sent by James to Roger, showing a "Thank you, Roger" sign, contained a television showing a football match played three weeks before James claimed to be in Lagos.

    To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

    © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
    This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.
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    21 分