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We round out 2025 with a shocking true crime news update: US President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of David Gentile, the fraudster behind a massive $1.6 billion Ponzi scam. This elaborate fraud siphoned investors' savings over four years, fueling Gentile's extravagant lifestyle, which included Ferraris and lavish parties. We'll go over the key events in this scheme and try to explore the controversial decision to let Gentile walk free, and try to make sense of President Trump's intervention. Join us as we explore how true crime and politics collide with the complexity of scams and fraud in today's world.

For more insights and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com.

The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

Tell us your story here!

In this enlightening episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we delve into the world of Ponzi schemes, using the infamous Charles Ponzi as our guide. Discover how these fraudulent schemes operate and the subtle ways you might inadvertently become entangled in one. We explore the fascinating story of Charles Ponzi, who in 1919, turned a seemingly innocent idea into a financial nightmare, promising investors extraordinary returns while simultaneously digging himself deeper into a trap of his own making.

Through an engaging narrative, we break down the mechanics of Ponzi schemes, revealing the telltale signs that could indicate you're about to be scammed. From the allure of doubling your money in just 90 days to the sunk cost fallacy that ensnares both scammers and victims alike, we provide critical insights to help you safeguard your investments.

Join us as we share essential advice on how to avoid falling prey to such scams, emphasising the importance of understanding your investments and resisting high-pressure tactics. Tune in and equip yourself with the knowledge to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dark side of financial fraud.

For more insights and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com.

The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.

Tell us your story here!

In this gripping episode of Scams, Hacks, and Frauds, we explore the dark underbelly of cryptocurrency and how unsuspecting individuals can become entwined in complex fraud schemes. Meet Jian Wren, a resilient woman who, after enduring years of hardship, finds herself caught in a web of deceit involving a criminal mastermind and Bitcoin.

Jian's journey takes us from her struggles as a single mother in the UK to her unexpected role as an assistant to a woman with a hidden agenda. What starts as a seemingly lucrative job quickly spirals into a nightmare as Jian unwittingly becomes involved in money laundering and international scams. We delve into the mechanics of cryptocurrency, explaining how its anonymity can facilitate fraud and the risks it poses to everyday people.

Discover the crucial lessons Jeann learned the hard way about the dangers of cryptocurrency and the importance of vigilance when it comes to financial transactions. Tune in for practical advice on how to protect yourself from similar scams and to understand the red flags that could save you from falling victim to fraud.

For more insights and to access our transcripts, visit us at www.scamshacksandfrauds.com.

The transcript and spoken audio are available under the Creative Commons, Share Alike, With Attributions license. For more information on this visit creativecommons.org.