Rewarding customer loyalty is probably as old as commerce. These days, consumers accumulate hundreds, thousands, sometimes even millions of points that can be used to acquire everything from their favorite drink, to airline tickets, or simply pay a balance on a credit card. The fact that these rewards have an intrinsic value is something many easily forget about, making them a great target for fraud.

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In less than 10 minutes, you can earn NASBA-approved accounting CPE after listening to this episode. Download our mobile app, sign up, and look for the Oh My Fraud channel. Register for the course, complete a short quiz, and get your CPE certificate.

https://www.earmark.app/

Download the app:

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app

CONNECT WITH CALEB
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebnewquist/

Sources:

• The lucrative business of airline loyalty schemes [AFR]
• A History of US Airline Deregulation [Travel Insider via Wayback Machine, accessed on Aug 29, 2025]
• Alaska Airlines miles stolen: What to do if your account is hacked [Fox13 Seattle]
• Alaska Airlines customers complain of possible hack after miles stolen from accounts [KIRO 7]
• Check your mileage plans! (Mine was hacked) [r/AlaskaAirlines]
• Mileage Account Hacked [r/AlaskaAirlines]
• My Southwest Rapid Rewards account was hacked: How I got my points back [The Points Guy]
• My AAdvantage account was hacked: Here's what happened and how you can protect yourself [The Points Guy]
• Largest Employer by State 2025 [World Population Review]
• Sam’s Club [Wikipedia]

Rewards Points Scheme Nets Arrest; More Sac County Victims Likely [Folsom Times]

Following her sudden resignation, the longtime treasurer of a small Arizona county faces questions about her time in office.

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Routable - http://ohmyfraud.promo/routable

• (00:00) - An Unexpected Resignation
• (01:07) - Welcome to Oh My Fraud
• (03:23) - Listener Mail and Fraud Discussion
• (08:23) - Santa Cruz County Background
• (09:50) - Liz Gut Far's Career and Sudden Resignation
• (10:50) - Investigation and Initial Findings
• (16:34) - Massive Embezzlement Uncovered
• (17:17) - Legal Actions and Allegations
• (24:58) - Fraud Techniques and Cover-Up
• (29:55) - Criminal Charges and Court Proceedings
• (40:12) - Lessons Learned and Conclusion

In less than 10 minutes, you can earn NASBA-approved accounting CPE after listening to this episode. Download our mobile app, sign up, and look for the Oh My Fraud channel. Register for the course, complete a short quiz, and get your CPE certificate.

https://www.earmark.app/

Download the app:

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app

CONNECT WITH CALEB
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebnewquist/

Sources:

• Santa Cruz County’s Industry Clusters [SantaCruzCenter.org]
• County Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr resigns [Nogales International]
• Unrecorded money transfers trigger FBI investigation on former Santa Cruz Co. treasurer [News4Tucson]
• County Tells School, Fire Districts That Over $4 Million Has Disappeared [Patagonia Regional Times]
• County BOS, SEFD, Sonoita School District Release Statements on Missing Funds [Patagonia Regional Times]
• Supervisors Told $39.4 Million in County Funds Is Missing [Patagonia Regional Times]
• Report sheds light on Santa Cruz Co. Treasurer's alleged theft of $39 million [KGUN]
• A Santa Cruz County official is accused of stealing $39M. A lawmaker wants tighter controls [Arizona Republic]
• Santa Cruz County v. Elizabeth Gutfahr, et al.
• U.S. v. Elizabeth Gutfahr
• Former Arizona Elected Official Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement of More than $38M of County Funds [DOJ]
• Former Santa Cruz County Treasurer Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Stealing Over $38 Million in County Funds [DOJ]
• “One of the dumbest…crimes in Arizona state history” [KGUN]

Email us at ohmyfraud@earmarkcpe.com

When Johnathan Walton learned that his best friend had conned him out of nearly $100,000, his first instinct was a little unusual—he told anyone who would listen about what happened. The story that ensued consumed his life for several years, ultimately sending his career in unexpected directions, with a hit podcast, assisting other victims with their frauds, and now, his new book, Anatomy of a Con Artist.

Sponsors
Routable - http://ohmyfraud.promo/routable

• (00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Overview
• (05:01) - Meet Jonathan Walton
• (07:32) - Jonathan's Early Life and Career
• (22:14) - The Pool Problem
• (24:37) - Con Artists Don't Outsmart You
• (40:00) - The Final Scam and Realization
• (47:08) - Confrontation and Recording
• (48:36) - Police Inaction and Persistence
• (50:37) - Building a Case
• (54:29) - The Arrest and Legal Battle
• (57:53) - The Trial and Conviction
• (01:02:49) - Post-Conviction and New Scams
• (01:05:38) - Extradition and Ongoing Pursuit
• (01:10:35) - Reflections and Lessons Learned
• (01:24:43) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In less than 10 minutes, you can earn NASBA-approved accounting CPE after listening to this episode. Download our mobile app, sign up, and look for the Oh My Fraud channel. Register for the course, complete a short quiz, and get your CPE certificate.

https://www.earmark.app/

Download the app:

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app

CONNECT WITH CALEB
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebnewquist/

Sources:

Queen of the Con [Spotify]

Queen of the Con [Instagram]

johnathanwalton.com

Email us at ohmyfraud@earmarkcpe.com