Welcome to Episode 2 of the Expat Lifestyle Podcast, hosted by Moira Carmenate and featuring Mark Nolan.

In this powerful and often emotional discussion, Moira and Mark tackle a subject affecting thousands of people across Spain and beyond: fraud, scams, and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

From fake carers and financial deception to emotional “shock call” scams and online manipulation, this episode explores the many ways fraudsters operate — and why anyone can become a target. The conversation looks particularly at the risks faced by older expats, isolated individuals, and families trying to navigate life in another country.

Together, they discuss:

• The rise of fraudulent care providers
• Emotional manipulation scams targeting parents and older people
• Online deception and fake business credibility
• Why people often feel embarrassed to report fraud
• The psychology scammers exploit
• The importance of due diligence and trust
• Practical warning signs and red flags to look out for

This episode is not designed to frighten people — it is designed to empower them.

Fraud today is sophisticated, organised, and often emotionally targeted. Awareness is one of the strongest forms of protection.

This is only the beginning of a much larger conversation, and future episodes will explore different types of scams and protection strategies in greater detail.

Questions, experiences, or topics you would like covered in future episodes can be sent to: podcasts@madblackcat.com

For the first launch episode of the Expat Lifestyle Podcast, Moira Carmenate and Mark Nolan sit down for an unscripted and honest conversation about why the podcast was created, the future of Expat Lifestyle Magazine, and the importance of trust, communication, and accurate information within the expat community.

From life in Spain and misinformation on social media, to resilience, accessibility, mental health, lifestyle, books, podcasting, food, and human connection, this pilot episode sets the tone for a series focused on real conversations and practical insight.

The Expat Lifestyle Podcast aims to become a trusted hub for expats and international residents seeking reliable information, meaningful discussion, and engaging stories from everyday life in Spain and beyond.