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  • The Violet, The Lie: She Believed She Was Loved

    The Violet, The Lie: She Believed She Was Loved
    2026/07/26
    The Violet, The Lie: She Believed She Was Loved

    Imagine receiving a heartfelt gift from a stranger, a vintage book with a pressed violet and a handwritten note, only to discover every detail was a calculated lie. This romantic scam drained a librarian of over $41,000, but the truth behind the deception was even more shocking than the con itself. How did a simple dried flower become a weapon in a sophisticated fraud?

    In this episode, we uncover the story of Frances O'Brien, a meticulous librarian from Ohio who fell victim to an elaborate online romance scam. We explore how a con artist exploited her love for books and routine, meticulously crafting a false identity and a series of escalating financial demands that left Frances heartbroken and financially devastated.

    Person: Frances O'Brien
    Date: May 3, 2019
    Location: Millhaven, Ohio
    Amount Lost: $41,200
    Item: 1960 Penguin paperback of Chekhov's The Lady with the Dog

    - A brown kraft package arrived on May 3, 2019, containing a 1960 Penguin paperback of Chekhov's The Lady with the Dog.
    - Between pages 42 and 43, a dried violet was pressed, and a handwritten card read: "Don't think about it. Just feel."
    - Frances O'Brien, a 38-year-old reference librarian, transferred $41,200 by July 2019 to untraceable accounts.
    - The violet was purchased at a craft supply store in Ohio, and the Edinburgh postmark was a novelty stamp.
    - The scammer, "Denise Hunter," claimed to be a 51-year-old independent rare book dealer from Edinburgh.

    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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    23 分
  • The Ghana Receipt: How $9,400 Vanished in Snow

    The Ghana Receipt: How $9,400 Vanished in Snow
    2026/07/25
    The Ghana Receipt: How $9,400 Vanished in Snow

    Imagine discovering a thermal receipt for $9,400, destined for Accra, Ghana, half-buried in a Minnesota snowbank at dawn. This bizarre find was the first clue in an 18-month romantic scam that targeted a retired school librarian. How did a simple receipt lead investigators from a small town to a prepaid cell phone in Atlanta?

    In this episode, we uncover the intricate details of a federal wire fraud case involving a fictional missionary, a stolen photograph, and the quiet life of Megan A. Bennett in Harlan, Minnesota. We explore how a seemingly gentle online connection evolved into a sophisticated deception, leaving one woman believing every word for over a year.

    Date: April 14, 2019
    Location: Harlan, Minnesota
    Person: Megan A. Bennett
    Scammer: Marcus Elroy Stanton
    Amount: $9,400

    - A county road-grader operator found a thermal receipt for $9,400 in a snowbank on Route Nine.
    - The receipt indicated a destination of Accra, Ghana, but no other personal items were found with it.
    - Megan A. Bennett, a 62-year-old retired school librarian, was targeted in this scam.
    - The scammer, Marcus Elroy Stanton, used a stolen photograph of Warren Gibbs, a structural engineer from Knoxville, Tennessee.
    - Stanton operated from southwest Atlanta using a prepaid device and never left Georgia.

    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 Rabbit Hutch: He Knew Her Routine

    The Rabbit Hutch: He Knew Her Routine
    2026/07/24
    The Rabbit Hutch: He Knew Her Routine

    Imagine the chilling realization that someone has been meticulously observing your life, down to the smallest details like the cold beads on your rabbit's water bottle. This is the terrifying reality of a romance scam, where every seemingly innocent detail is a calculated step in a predator's plan. How does a seemingly well-regarded real estate man become the architect of such a betrayal?

    In this episode, we uncover the intricate deception that ensnared Gloria Callahan, a precise and warm woman who was anything but naive. We explore the subtle cues and calculated moves that allowed a scammer to build a false sense of intimacy, ultimately leading to a devastating financial loss.

    Person: Gloria Callahan
    Age: 26
    Location: Harwick
    Profession: Billing coordinator
    Savings: $3,400

    - Utility worker Holly Norris photographed a freshly tended cedar hutch at 7:15 AM on a Tuesday in late March.
    - Gloria Callahan had a Holland Lop rabbit named Copperton and fed him at 6:45 AM and 5:30 PM daily.
    - A coworker introduced Gloria to "Robert Long," a man who called her reliably at 8:15 AM.
    - Gloria transferred $3,200 to the scammer after six weeks of calls.
    - Investigators found a hardware store receipt dated February 22nd for rabbit hutch materials, linked to a loyalty card belonging to Brian Foss.

    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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    20 分
  • The Boarding Pass That Unmasked David Price

    The Boarding Pass That Unmasked David Price
    2026/07/23
    The Boarding Pass That Unmasked David Price

    Imagine finding a pristine boarding pass for a flight three weeks away, addressed to a stranger, on your neighbor's porch. This seemingly innocuous discovery in February 2019 unraveled a sophisticated romantic scam that targeted thirteen women simultaneously. How did a simple boarding pass expose a system of calculated deception?

    In this episode, we delve into the meticulous operation of "David Price," a persona crafted by Marcus Bellard, and how it ensnared Amanda Powell, a guidance counselor navigating a new chronic illness. We explore the subtle techniques that built trust and the precise timing that kept the elaborate fraud hidden.

    Person: Troy Young, David Price, Amanda Powell, Marcus Bellard, Brenda Falk, Beth Caruso
    Date: February 2019, Summer 2017, September 2017, November 2017, January 2018, Spring 2018
    Location: Sycamore Terrace, São Paulo, Charlotte Douglas International, Atlanta Georgia, University City Charlotte North Carolina
    Status: Unmasked, Divorced
    Topic: Romantic scam, Autoimmune condition, Wellness app, Coaching platform

    - Troy Young found a cream-colored gift box with a boarding pass on a neighbor's porch at 6:43 AM on a Tuesday in February 2019.
    - The boarding pass listed a flight from São Paulo to Charlotte Douglas International, departing three weeks later, for passenger David Price.
    - Amanda Powell, a 48-year-old guidance counselor, downloaded the NutriPath wellness app in September 2017 and was matched with "David Price" within 48 hours.
    - "David Price" was a 44-year-old certified nutritionist and personal trainer based in Atlanta, Georgia, whose profile photo was a Brazilian fitness influencer with over 200,000 followers.
    - Marcus Bellard, 41, operated the scam from a month-to-month rental in Charlotte, North Carolina, and kept a binder documenting the progress of women like Amanda Powell.

    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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    20 分
  • The Garden Was Tended, But Eric Vanished

    The Garden Was Tended, But Eric Vanished
    2026/07/22
    The Garden Was Tended, But Eric Vanished

    Imagine a meticulously kept garden in mid-January, with tools laid out as if someone just stepped away, yet no one is there. What chilling discovery did a postal worker make that led investigators to a man who was alive but fundamentally changed?

    In this episode, we uncover the story of Eric Cole, a man of precise habits and quiet trust, whose life was upended by a sophisticated fraud operation. We explore how a seemingly invisible scheme left a trail specific enough to lead to its collapse, starting with an untended garden and a curious cousin.

    Person: Eric Cole
    Age: 32
    Location: Dellwood Flats
    Inheritance: $240,000
    Job: Parts coordinator

    - Jessica Farrell found a cold-frame garden with a kneeling pad and clogs, but no one present.
    - Mail had accumulated in Eric Cole's slot since January 7th.
    - Eric Cole inherited $240,000 in three certificates of deposit after his father's death.
    - He worked as a parts coordinator at a heavy equipment dealership in Briar Falls.
    - Eric joined a social platform in early October, seeking a gardening group.

    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 Chess Set Was in the Wrong House

    The Chess Set Was in the Wrong House
    2026/07/22
    The Chess Set Was in the Wrong House

    Imagine discovering a detail in a familiar home that shatters everything you thought you knew about a loved one. When a neighbor found a hand-carved chess set in Wayne Fitzgerald's living room, she knew something was terribly wrong because Wayne didn't play chess. This seemingly small detail unraveled a silent, years-long romantic scam built on patience and exploiting love.

    In this episode, we uncover the intricate details of a scheme that targeted Wayne Fitzgerald, a retired electrician, and at least five other individuals simultaneously. Learn how a sophisticated scammer used stolen identities and carefully gathered personal information to manipulate victims, turning their deepest affections into tools for financial gain.

    Person: Wayne Fitzgerald
    Age: 52
    Location: Morrow Falls, Vance County
    Platform: Board and Company
    Scammer Persona: Robert Ford

    - A neighbor discovered a hand-carved walnut and maple chess set in Wayne Fitzgerald's house in December 2019.
    - Wayne Fitzgerald, a retired electrician, had lived at four Creekside Terrace since his early thirties.
    - He rebuilt a relationship with his 26-year-old daughter, Melissa, who lived three hours east.
    - Wayne drove 14 miles every Wednesday for eight years to visit his brother Dennis, who had multiple sclerosis.
    - The scammer, using a stolen photo of Patrick Norris, contacted Wayne on Board and Company, a chess-themed platform, and began asking about his brother Dennis.

    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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    22 分
  • The Dry Laptop: Her Cancer Survival, His Perfect Lie

    The Dry Laptop: Her Cancer Survival, His Perfect Lie
    2026/07/22
    The Dry Laptop: Her Cancer Survival, His Perfect Lie

    Imagine finding a perfectly dry laptop in a soaked forest, 40 yards from any path, with no tracks leading to it. This bizarre discovery leads to a woman who survived cancer, only to fall victim to a sophisticated romantic scam. How did a seemingly impossible find unravel a meticulously crafted deception?

    In this episode, we uncover the story of Cheryl Vogel, a cancer survivor whose life took an unexpected turn after joining an online support group. We explore the intricate details of a long-running romantic fraud that preyed on vulnerable individuals, and the surprising way it came to light.

    Date of discovery: November 8, 2022
    Item found: Rose-gold laptop owner: Cheryl Vogel
    Scammer's alias: Howard Mitchell
    Scammer's real name: Paul Hendricks

    - A rescue beagle mix led Kathleen Wells 40 yards off the main path to the laptop.
    - The laptop was found completely dry despite heavy rain 72 hours prior.
    - Cheryl Vogel underwent a double mastectomy and eight rounds of chemotherapy for breast cancer.
    - The scammer, "Howard Mitchell," was a persona created 18 months before Cheryl joined the group.
    - Cheryl wired $22,000 to "Howard" after his first request for financial help.

    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 Nairobi Letters: He Believed Every Word

    The Nairobi Letters: He Believed Every Word
    2026/07/22
    The Nairobi Letters: He Believed Every Word

    Imagine finding thirty letters from Nairobi and Kampala, alongside a cargo receipt for 430 kilograms of medical equipment, discarded in a Tennessee slough. This bizarre discovery unveiled a two-year romantic scam that preyed on one man's belief in the authenticity of a handwritten letter. How did a simple pen pal service lead to such an elaborate deception?

    In this episode, we uncover the story of Kent Vogel, a careful and lonely records coordinator from Shelbyville, Tennessee, who sought connection through a pen pal service. We explore how a series of meticulously crafted letters from "Stanley Nelson" built a relationship that felt real, eventually leading to requests for help with medical equipment logistics.

    Person: Kent Vogel
    Location: Shelbyville, Tennessee
    Duration: 14 months
    Amount: $9,040
    Items: 30 letters, 430 kg medical equipment

    - Duane Casey found approximately thirty envelopes and a cargo receipt in Carver Slough.
    - The postmarks on the letters included Nairobi, Kampala, and Accra.
    - The cargo receipt was for 430 kilograms of medical equipment.
    - Kent Vogel was 28 years old and worked as a records coordinator in an insurance office.
    - Kent sent $9,040 over 14 months in a series of transfers.

    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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    23 分