Episodi

  • The Envelope: He Built Her World Before She Logged In

    The Envelope: He Built Her World Before She Logged In
    Sep 24 2026
    The Envelope: He Built Her World Before She Logged In

    Imagine a world meticulously crafted for you before you even know it exists. A sealed envelope, found by a dog, contained a photograph of an old man and a chilling message: "For when you doubt me - I am real, Nicole. and this is where I live." But the man who wrote it had never met Nicole Dixon, nor the man in the photo. What kind of elaborate deception was this?

    In this episode, we uncover the story of an engineered reality, built not on romance but on calculated transactions. From a reactivated dating profile in 2018 to a clay riverbank in 2019, we explore how one woman's world was constructed, one wire transfer at a time, leading to a total of $41,200.

    Person: Nicole Dixon
    Location: Sutter's Bend, Indiana
    Dating Platform: HarborMatch
    Total Transferred: $41,200
    Period: March 2018 - May 2019

    - An envelope containing 31 handwritten letters, 2 notarized documents, and a color photograph was found sealed in a zip-lock bag.
    - Nicole Dixon, 38, worked for six years as a home care referral coordinator, assessing needs for elderly clients.
    - The first message from "Wayne Price" arrived in March 2018, describing himself as a widower caring for his 78-year-old father, Albert Price.
    - The photograph on Wayne's profile was taken from the private Facebook account of a real 47-year-old machinist named Wayne Price, who had never used a dating app.
    - The first request for money was for $400 for a wheelchair ramp, which Nicole transferred and was repaid 11 days later.

    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 min
  • His Voice Knew Everything: The $31,000 Lie

    His Voice Knew Everything: The $31,000 Lie
    Sep 23 2026
    His Voice Knew Everything: The $31,000 Lie

    Imagine a warm, slightly raspy voice that learns every intimate detail of your life, then uses each one against you in a devastating romantic scam. This is the chilling reality behind a $31,000 loss that began with a dating app profile and ended with a woman's carefully structured life in ruins. How did a seemingly reliable widower become the architect of such a profound betrayal?

    In this episode, we uncover the meticulous construction of a fraudulent identity, the systematic harvesting of a real person's online presence, and the psychological manipulation that led to five separate wire transfers. We explore the evidence that revealed a relationship that never existed and the lasting impact of a voice that knew too much.

    Person: Emily Donnelly
    Loss: $31,000
    Location: Hartsfield, Mercer County, Ohio
    Date: January 9, 2022

    - Carol Boyd found rose-gold reading glasses with the initials 'E.D.' hooked to a trotline stake on Cedar Fork.
    - Emily Donnelly, 61, worked as a medical billing coordinator and lived on Pryor Street in Hartsfield, Ohio.
    - The fraudulent dating profile used the name Wayne Harrison and photos of Robert Fenn, a 57-year-old civil engineer from Columbus, Ohio.
    - The scammer, 54, had three prior fraud charges across two states and operated from a rented room in Ridgeway.
    - Emily made five wire transfers totaling $31,000 between March 19 and April 9, 2022, to a shell entity in Lakewood, Ohio.

    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 min
  • The Engraved Ring: Four Women, One Lie

    The Engraved Ring: Four Women, One Lie
    Sep 22 2026
    The Engraved Ring: Four Women, One Lie

    A solitaire diamond engagement ring, professionally engraved, was found in the dirt of an unoccupied parcel of land. No one in county records reported it missing, yet nine days later, a man was in handcuffs. What shocking romantic scam led to this discovery?

    In this episode, we uncover the intricate web of deception woven around four women in a small community, all connected by a man who doesn't exist. Discover the crucial detail, hidden in phone records, that unraveled the entire scheme.

    Person: Cheryl Morgan
    Location: Pelham Hollow Road, Hardin County
    Date: Second Tuesday of March
    Item: Solitaire diamond engagement ring
    Status: Unreported missing

    - The ring was a solitaire diamond set in white gold, found at the base of a survey post.
    - The engraving inside the band read: "M & W, always."
    - Kevin Slade was arrested nine days after the ring was found.
    - The fake identity, Wayne Donnelly, was assembled using photos and credentials from Paul Henning, a structural engineer from Richmond.
    - Michelle Whitley, 24, was one of four women targeted, all attending Cornerstone Fellowship.

    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 min
  • The Shoebox in the Crawl Space: He Knew, But Couldn't Stop

    The Shoebox in the Crawl Space: He Knew, But Couldn't Stop
    Sep 21 2026
    The Shoebox in the Crawl Space: He Knew, But Couldn't Stop

    Imagine finding a shoebox in a crawl space, filled with military photos, a love letter, and wire transfer confirmations totaling $63,800. This wasn't a random discovery; it was hidden by Clifford Simpson, a man who knew he was being scammed but couldn't stop. What drove him to hide the evidence of his own financial ruin?

    In this episode, we uncover the story of Clifford Simpson, a parts coordinator who lost his wife to cancer and found himself targeted by a sophisticated romance scam. We explore the meticulous operation that exploited his grief and led him to transfer tens of thousands of dollars, despite his own suspicions.

    Person: Clifford Simpson
    Date: February 2019
    Location: Vesper Mill Road, North Carolina
    Amount: $63,800
    Crime: Romance scam

    - April Patterson found a shoebox containing photographs, a letter, and wire transfer confirmations.
    - Clifford Simpson, a 48-year-old parts coordinator, had hidden the shoebox himself.
    - The scam connected Clifford to five other victims and involved a man in a silver Ford pickup truck.
    - Clifford transferred $63,800 over seventeen months, in amounts designed to avoid detection.
    - The scammer, posing as "Sandra Hollis," communicated with Clifford for five months before the first financial request.

    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 min
  • He Stood in Freezing Water, Wiring $6,000 to Nobody

    He Stood in Freezing Water, Wiring $6,000 to Nobody
    Sep 20 2026
    He Stood in Freezing Water, Wiring $6,000 to Nobody

    Imagine standing in freezing water, terrified of dropping your phone as you wire $6,000 to someone who doesn't exist. This isn't a story about gullibility, but a sophisticated romance scam designed to defeat skepticism. How did a careful, methodical man end up in such a predicament?

    In this episode, we uncover the elaborate deception that led George Andrews, a skeptical insurance claims processor, to fall victim to a romance scam. We explore the meticulous construction of a fake identity and the psychological tactics used to build trust, even with someone known for their caution.

    Person: George Andrews
    Date: January 9th
    Location: Tanner Slough, Louisiana
    Amount: $6,000
    App: Meridian Connect

    - Michael Harris, a retired postal worker, found a man standing waist-deep in 40-degree water at 7:15 AM.
    - The man in the water was wiring $6,000 to a non-existent person, holding his phone overhead to protect it.
    - George Andrews, a 32-year-old insurance claims processor, was described as "the most skeptical person" his sister knew.
    - The scammer used pre-recorded video clips of a personal trainer, Kevin Aldridge, from YouTube, synchronized with a live audio feed.
    - The fraud detection system of the Meridian Connect app flagged the scammer's account in November, but it was not suspended before the first video call.

    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 min
  • She Trusted an AI Voice—Then Lost $63,000

    She Trusted an AI Voice—Then Lost $63,000
    Sep 19 2026
    She Trusted an AI Voice—Then Lost $63,000

    Imagine losing $63,000 over nine months to a voice you heard every morning, a voice that never stumbled or had a bad day. This isn't just one woman's loss; it's a specific, engineered method of romantic scam that has been running for at least seven years across four states. What happens when the very skill you've honed for decades becomes your greatest vulnerability?

    In this episode, we uncover the story of Kimberly Mason, a 52-year-old ESL teacher from Pelham, North Carolina, whose life savings were stolen by an AI voice. We explore how a seemingly careful and organized individual, professionally trained to discern truth in spoken words, fell victim to a sophisticated scam that exploited her unique abilities.

    Person: Kimberly Mason
    Location: Hawthorn Glen, Pelham, North Carolina
    Date: December 9, 2023
    Amount: $63,000
    Duration: Nine months

    - A 14-year-old boy, Marvin Meyer, discovered an open laptop on a porch at 5:40 AM on December 9, 2023.
    - The laptop screen displayed a message addressed to "Kim," pleading about a studio lease and students.
    - Kimberly Mason, a 52-year-old ESL teacher, had taught English for 22 years, mostly in Pelham.
    - She was contacted in January 2023 by "Charles Boyd," a civil engineer from Singapore, for tutoring.
    - The voice of "Charles Boyd" was consistently warm, precise, and present over eleven months of calls.

    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 min
  • The Shadow Box, The Sergeant, and The Scripted Heartbreak

    The Shadow Box, The Sergeant, and The Scripted Heartbreak
    Sep 18 2026
    The Shadow Box, The Sergeant, and The Scripted Heartbreak

    Imagine finding a pristine shadow box with a Purple Heart on a deserted road, with no footprints around it. This impossible discovery was the first clue in a four-year romance scam that ensnared forty-one lives. How did a simple object lead investigators to a handwritten ledger of trauma vocabulary and scripted dialogue?

    In this episode, we uncover the elaborate deception that began with a seemingly innocent online connection. We follow the story of Teresa Myers, a widowed nurse, and her encounter with a man claiming to be a retired Army sergeant, revealing how a meticulously crafted "credibility cycle" was used to exploit trust.

    Person: Kimberly Patterson
    Date: November 2017
    Location: Maulden, Indiana
    Object: Shadow box
    Victim: Teresa Myers

    - A county grader operator found a shadow box containing a Purple Heart medal on a service road in November 2017.
    - The shadow box was found in pristine condition, with an unbroken glass and unscuffed velvet lining.
    - The scam ran for four years, affecting forty-one lives across six platforms.
    - Teresa Myers, a licensed practical nurse for eleven years, joined an online forum for military families in March 2017.
    - The first request for money from "Ronald Wright" was for $800, which was later returned to establish trust.

    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 min
  • The Permit Man: He Stole $103,000 and a Life

    The Permit Man: He Stole $103,000 and a Life
    Sep 17 2026
    The Permit Man: He Stole $103,000 and a Life

    Imagine losing $103,000 to a romantic scam, only to discover the "permit man" who orchestrated it was arrested two weeks before the package you were waiting for was even found. This is a story of professional expertise twisted into a devastating romantic fraud. How did a fabricated identity dissolve the moment a friend spent two hours on a laptop?

    In this episode, we uncover the intricate details of a romantic scam that cost Jeffrey Simmons his inheritance and his peace of mind. We explore how a seemingly legitimate professional connection led to a significant financial loss and the unraveling of a carefully constructed deception.

    Person: Jeffrey Simmons
    Amount Lost: $103,000
    Date of Inheritance: April 2017
    Museum: Maret Regional Museum
    Location: Haverford

    - A box containing "Pre-Columbian ceramic figures" was found in a museum basement 14 months after it was sent.
    - Jeffrey Simmons, an assistant curator, inherited $114,000 in April 2017.
    - He wired $18,000 to a London bank account for "export permits" in January 2018.
    - The scammer, "Russell Owens," used a stolen photograph of Stephen Ward, a lecturer at the University of Leeds.
    - The permits, initially promised in six weeks, took eleven, with Russell sending frequent updates about delays.

    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 min