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    <title>The Ponzi Playbook</title>
    <link>https://ponziplaybook.substack.com/p/coming-soon</link>
    <language>en</language>
    <copyright> © 2023 Creative Babble. All Rights Reserved.</copyright>
    <description>Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.</description>
    <image>
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      <title>The Ponzi Playbook</title>
      <link>https://ponziplaybook.substack.com/p/coming-soon</link>
    </image>
    <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
    <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
    <itunes:subtitle>White-collar crime podcast with GUARANTEED RETURNS</itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
    <itunes:summary>Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.</itunes:summary>
    <content:encoded>
      <![CDATA[<p>Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.</p>]]>
    </content:encoded>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>javier@pretendradio.org</itunes:email>
    </itunes:owner>
    <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/51ebda56-e37d-11ed-9823-9fcaf461e4fc/image/PP_Logo_FINAL.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
    <itunes:category text="Business">
    </itunes:category>
    <itunes:category text="News">
      <itunes:category text="Business News"/>
    </itunes:category>
    <item>
      <title>25: The Gucci Goddess</title>
      <description>Meet Janet Yamanaka Mello—better known as the "Gucci Goddess." She wasn’t your typical fraudster. Dripping in designer labels, driving luxury cars, and amassing an absurd collection of real estate, she managed to siphon off over $100 million from the U.S. Army’s youth programs. How did a civilian employee turn a government grant program into her personal ATM? And why did nobody notice for six years?

In this episode, Javier and Neal break down how Mello pulled off one of the most brazen frauds against the U.S. military. From creating fake vendors and ghost accounts to laundering millions into mansions, sports cars, and $11 million worth of luxury jewelry, this story takes “flashy fraud” to a whole new level.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>The Gucci Goddess</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>25</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:subtitle/>
      <itunes:summary>Meet Janet Yamanaka Mello—better known as the "Gucci Goddess." She wasn’t your typical fraudster. Dripping in designer labels, driving luxury cars, and amassing an absurd collection of real estate, she managed to siphon off over $100 million from the U.S. Army’s youth programs. How did a civilian employee turn a government grant program into her personal ATM? And why did nobody notice for six years?

In this episode, Javier and Neal break down how Mello pulled off one of the most brazen frauds against the U.S. military. From creating fake vendors and ghost accounts to laundering millions into mansions, sports cars, and $11 million worth of luxury jewelry, this story takes “flashy fraud” to a whole new level.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>Meet Janet Yamanaka Mello—better known as the "Gucci Goddess." She wasn’t your typical fraudster. Dripping in designer labels, driving luxury cars, and amassing an absurd collection of real estate, she managed to siphon off over <strong>$100 million</strong> from the U.S. Army’s youth programs. How did a civilian employee turn a government grant program into her personal ATM? And why did nobody notice for <strong>six years</strong>?</p>
<p>In this episode, Javier and Neal break down how Mello pulled off one of the most brazen frauds against the U.S. military. From creating fake vendors and ghost accounts to laundering millions into mansions, sports cars, and $11 million worth of luxury jewelry, this story takes “flashy fraud” to a whole new level.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1775</itunes:duration>
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    <item>
      <title>23: My Wife, The Ponzi Schemer</title>
      <description>This is an Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. It originally aired on the PRETEND podcast. 

Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda, the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam. 

In this episode, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary employees, and a key investor who also happened to be a self-proclaimed witch and lottery winner.

But here’s the twist: Linda isn’t just any con artist. She’s the sister of the woman who tried to steal Elvis Presley’s Graceland—something we covered in a previous episode of PRETEND. 

Yeah, this story just got a whole lot weirder.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Apr 2025 12:40:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:subtitle/>
      <itunes:summary>This is an Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. It originally aired on the PRETEND podcast. 

Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda, the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam. 

In this episode, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary employees, and a key investor who also happened to be a self-proclaimed witch and lottery winner.

But here’s the twist: Linda isn’t just any con artist. She’s the sister of the woman who tried to steal Elvis Presley’s Graceland—something we covered in a previous episode of PRETEND. 

Yeah, this story just got a whole lot weirder.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>This is an Interview with a man convicted of a Ponzi scheme. It originally aired on the PRETEND podcast. </p><p><br></p><p>Bill Livolsi says he was just trying to help his wife, Linda, the ringleader of a multi-million dollar investment scam. </p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Bill opens up about how he got roped into the scheme, ignored every red flag, and ultimately landed in prison. He describes fake hedge funds, imaginary employees, and a key investor who also happened to be a self-proclaimed witch and lottery winner.</p><p><br></p><p>But here’s the twist: Linda isn’t just any con artist. She’s the <em>sister</em> of the woman who tried to steal Elvis Presley’s Graceland—something we covered in a previous episode of <em>PRETEND</em>. </p><p><br></p><p>Yeah, this story just got a whole lot weirder.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>2144</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
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    </item>
    <item>
      <title>22. The Ponzi Defense: Elliot Abrams on White-Collar Legal Tactics</title>
      <description>What happens after the feds kick in your door?

In this special bonus episode of The Ponzi Playbook, we sit down with white-collar defense attorney Elliot Sol Abrams—partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams—for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to defend clients facing federal fraud charges.
You’ll hear:

What goes down in the hours and days after an FBI raid

How money—or the lack of it—affects your legal defense

What a “win” actually looks like for a defense attorney

Plus, we unpack a notable case—Chamberlain v. United States—that helped limit the government’s power to seize assets not directly tied to alleged crimes and explore the psychology behind Ponzi schemes, sociopathy, and second chances.

Guest:
Elliot Sol Abrams is a partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams in Raleigh, NC. He defends individuals in high-stakes white-collar cases, asset forfeiture disputes, and professional discipline matters.
👉 Follow The Ponzi Playbook on LinkedIn for updates and deeper dives into white-collar crime. Connect with Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva to keep the conversation going.
👍 Like, rate, and leave a comment wherever you listen—your feedback helps others find the show!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2025 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>22</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/3d2598aa-e8b7-11ef-a375-fb5b5188b11b/image/781f1e054b6c36cb132c39b6f11bd014.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle/>
      <itunes:summary>What happens after the feds kick in your door?

In this special bonus episode of The Ponzi Playbook, we sit down with white-collar defense attorney Elliot Sol Abrams—partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams—for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to defend clients facing federal fraud charges.
You’ll hear:

What goes down in the hours and days after an FBI raid

How money—or the lack of it—affects your legal defense

What a “win” actually looks like for a defense attorney

Plus, we unpack a notable case—Chamberlain v. United States—that helped limit the government’s power to seize assets not directly tied to alleged crimes and explore the psychology behind Ponzi schemes, sociopathy, and second chances.

Guest:
Elliot Sol Abrams is a partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams in Raleigh, NC. He defends individuals in high-stakes white-collar cases, asset forfeiture disputes, and professional discipline matters.
👉 Follow The Ponzi Playbook on LinkedIn for updates and deeper dives into white-collar crime. Connect with Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva to keep the conversation going.
👍 Like, rate, and leave a comment wherever you listen—your feedback helps others find the show!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p><strong>What happens <em>after</em> the feds kick in your door?</strong></p><p><br></p><p>In this special bonus episode of <em>The Ponzi Playbook</em>, we sit down with white-collar defense attorney Elliot Sol Abrams—partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams—for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to defend clients facing federal fraud charges.</p><p>You’ll hear:</p><ul>
<li>What goes down in the hours and days after an FBI raid</li>
<li>How money—or the lack of it—affects your legal defense</li>
<li>What a “win” actually looks like for a defense attorney</li>
</ul><p>Plus, we unpack a notable case—Chamberlain v. United States—that helped limit the government’s power to seize assets not directly tied to alleged crimes and explore the psychology behind Ponzi schemes, sociopathy, and second chances.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Guest:</strong></p><p><strong>Elliot Sol Abrams</strong> is a partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams in Raleigh, NC. He defends individuals in high-stakes white-collar cases, asset forfeiture disputes, and professional discipline matters.</p><p>👉 Follow <em>The Ponzi Playbook</em> on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ponzi-playbook">LinkedIn</a> for updates and deeper dives into white-collar crime. Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealmctighe">Neal McTighe</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/javierleiva">Javier Leiva</a> to keep the conversation going.</p><p>👍 Like, rate, and leave a comment wherever you listen—your feedback helps others find the show!</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>2948</itunes:duration>
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    </item>
    <item>
      <title>21: The AI Hitmaker: Michael Smith’s $10 Million Stream Scheme</title>
      <description>What if you could create thousands of songs using AI… and make millions off them without a single fan? That’s exactly what prosecutors say Michael Smith did.

In this episode of The Ponzi Playbook, Javier and Neal are joined by criminal defense attorney Elliot Abrams to unpack a case that’s not your typical Ponzi scheme—but definitely fraud-adjacent. We're talking about AI-generated music, armies of bots streaming tracks nonstop, and royalty checks that rival Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic.

About Elliot Abrams:
Elliot Abrams is a white-collar defense attorney and partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams. He represents clients in criminal cases, asset forfeiture, and professional licensing matters, as well as civil rights, NCAA, and government ethics investigations.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/esabrams
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2025 16:36:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Bots Instead of Investors: Michael Smith’s Ponzi for the Spotify Era</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>21</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/3d3bdc96-e8b7-11ef-a375-6fcf7398c2a3/image/3469be6c4909675920e724f7fef5528a.jpeg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle/>
      <itunes:summary>What if you could create thousands of songs using AI… and make millions off them without a single fan? That’s exactly what prosecutors say Michael Smith did.

In this episode of The Ponzi Playbook, Javier and Neal are joined by criminal defense attorney Elliot Abrams to unpack a case that’s not your typical Ponzi scheme—but definitely fraud-adjacent. We're talking about AI-generated music, armies of bots streaming tracks nonstop, and royalty checks that rival Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic.

About Elliot Abrams:
Elliot Abrams is a white-collar defense attorney and partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams. He represents clients in criminal cases, asset forfeiture, and professional licensing matters, as well as civil rights, NCAA, and government ethics investigations.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/esabrams
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>What if you could create thousands of songs using AI… and make millions off them without a single fan? That’s exactly what prosecutors say Michael Smith did.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of <em>The Ponzi Playbook</em>, Javier and Neal are joined by criminal defense attorney Elliot Abrams to unpack a case that’s not your typical Ponzi scheme—but definitely fraud-adjacent. We're talking about AI-generated music, armies of bots streaming tracks nonstop, and royalty checks that rival Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic.</p><p><br></p><h2>About Elliot Abrams:</h2><p>Elliot Abrams is a white-collar defense attorney and partner at Cheshire Parker Schneider Abrams. He represents clients in criminal cases, asset forfeiture, and professional licensing matters, as well as civil rights, NCAA, and government ethics investigations.</p><p>https://www.linkedin.com/in/esabrams</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>2334</itunes:duration>
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      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/AMPP9894756443.mp3?updated=1743117645" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>20: The Ponzi Priestess</title>
      <description>When the FBI raided financial advisor Dawn Bennett’s luxury penthouse in 2017, they expected to find evidence of fraud. What they didn’t expect? Freezers packed with mason jars—each containing a severed cow tongue, labeled with the initials of SEC attorneys investigating her.
Bennett, once a well-respected investment advisor, promised her clients 15% annual returns. Instead, she drained millions from retirees and funneled the cash into her lavish lifestyle—funding high-end fashion, $100K in cosmetic treatments, and nearly $1 million in payments to Hindu priests she believed could perform rituals to keep investigators at bay.
In this episode, we unravel the bizarre world of Dawn Bennett’s Ponzi scheme—where financial fraud meets mysticism. From luxury sportswear investments that never paid off to occult rituals designed to silence her enemies, this case proves that some con artists will try anything to keep the scam alive.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>The Ponzi Priestess</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>20</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/3d0f51ee-e8b7-11ef-a375-3726650aa8ee/image/3469be6c4909675920e724f7fef5528a.jpeg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>When the FBI raided financial advisor Dawn Bennett’s luxury penthouse in 2017, they expected to find evidence of fraud. What they didn’t expect? Freezers packed with mason jars—each containing a severed cow tongue, labeled with the initials of SEC attorneys investigating her.
Bennett, once a well-respected investment advisor, promised her clients 15% annual returns. Instead, she drained millions from retirees and funneled the cash into her lavish lifestyle—funding high-end fashion, $100K in cosmetic treatments, and nearly $1 million in payments to Hindu priests she believed could perform rituals to keep investigators at bay.
In this episode, we unravel the bizarre world of Dawn Bennett’s Ponzi scheme—where financial fraud meets mysticism. From luxury sportswear investments that never paid off to occult rituals designed to silence her enemies, this case proves that some con artists will try anything to keep the scam alive.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>When the FBI raided financial advisor Dawn Bennett’s luxury penthouse in 2017, they expected to find evidence of fraud. What they didn’t expect? Freezers packed with mason jars—each containing a severed cow tongue, labeled with the initials of SEC attorneys investigating her.</p><p>Bennett, once a well-respected investment advisor, promised her clients 15% annual returns. Instead, she drained millions from retirees and funneled the cash into her lavish lifestyle—funding high-end fashion, $100K in cosmetic treatments, and nearly $1 million in payments to Hindu priests she believed could perform rituals to keep investigators at bay.</p><p>In this episode, we unravel the bizarre world of Dawn Bennett’s Ponzi scheme—where financial fraud meets mysticism. From luxury sportswear investments that never paid off to occult rituals designed to silence her enemies, this case proves that some con artists will try <em>anything</em> to keep the scam alive.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1892</itunes:duration>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[3d0f51ee-e8b7-11ef-a375-3726650aa8ee]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/AMPP7154953425.mp3?updated=1740542998" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>19: Burkhalter’s $372M Drive Planning Scheme</title>
      <description>A guaranteed 10% return in just 90 days—sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it was. In this episode, we investigate Todd Burkhalter and Drive Planning, a Georgia-based financial firm that promised real estate-backed investments but instead ran a massive $372 million Ponzi scheme.
Hosts Javier and Neal expose how Burkhalter and his team lured in over 2,000 investors, convinced them to hand over their life savings, and then used their cash to fuel an extravagant lifestyle—complete with private jets, luxury vacations, and a $3.1M yacht named Live More.
We break down the tactics he used, the warning signs investors ignored, and how the SEC finally unraveled the scheme. Plus, we dig into exclusive testimony from Drive Planning’s executives—including some incredibly shady responses (or lack thereof) during questioning.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Burkhalter’s $372M Drive Planning Scheme</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>19</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/3cf56234-e8b7-11ef-a375-8370d2bd000f/image/dc5178f71e657bc950d76ec216921062.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>A guaranteed 10% return in just 90 days—sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it was. In this episode, we investigate Todd Burkhalter and Drive Planning, a Georgia-based financial firm that promised real estate-backed investments but instead ran a massive $372 million Ponzi scheme.
Hosts Javier and Neal expose how Burkhalter and his team lured in over 2,000 investors, convinced them to hand over their life savings, and then used their cash to fuel an extravagant lifestyle—complete with private jets, luxury vacations, and a $3.1M yacht named Live More.
We break down the tactics he used, the warning signs investors ignored, and how the SEC finally unraveled the scheme. Plus, we dig into exclusive testimony from Drive Planning’s executives—including some incredibly shady responses (or lack thereof) during questioning.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>A <em>guaranteed</em> 10% return in just 90 days—sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it was. In this episode, we investigate <strong>Todd Burkhalter and Drive Planning</strong>, a Georgia-based financial firm that promised real estate-backed investments but instead ran a <strong>massive $372 million Ponzi scheme</strong>.</p><p>Hosts <strong>Javier and Neal</strong> expose how Burkhalter and his team lured in over <strong>2,000 investors</strong>, convinced them to hand over their life savings, and then used their cash to fuel an extravagant lifestyle—complete with <strong>private jets, luxury vacations, and a $3.1M yacht named <em>Live More</em></strong>.</p><p>We break down the <strong>tactics he used, the warning signs investors ignored, and how the SEC finally unraveled the scheme.</strong> Plus, we dig into exclusive testimony from Drive Planning’s executives—including some <em>incredibly</em> shady responses (or lack thereof) during questioning.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>2404</itunes:duration>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[3cf56234-e8b7-11ef-a375-8370d2bd000f]]></guid>
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    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The White Collar Support Group</title>
      <description>Hey everyone, it's Javier. Neal and I are working hard on season two of the Ponzi Playbook. In the meantime, I want to share an episode that I think you'll enjoy from my other podcast PRETEND. 

It’s hard to imagine former executives, investment fraudsters, and insider traders gathering for weekly support meetings.

When I first heard about a support group for white-collar criminals, I was skeptical. It sounded like an SNL sketch: former hedge fund managers, insider traders, and embezzlers sitting in a circle, sharing their woes. However, Jeff Grant, the founder of the White Collar Support Group, doesn’t see it that way. After serving time for his crimes, Grant emerged with a mission—to help others like him rebuild their lives, one meeting at a time. “I was lost,” he admits.

After his release from prison, Grant realized there was no blueprint for people like him to re-enter society. That’s why he founded the White Collar Support Group, a space for those prosecuted for financial crimes to navigate life after prison.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:38:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/e6db6022-907a-11ef-b476-7b3957f6a015/image/a2fd4dcbb07a7ff4d9aac614f91bcaf1.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Hey everyone, it's Javier. Neal and I are working hard on season two of the Ponzi Playbook. In the meantime, I want to share an episode that I think you'll enjoy from my other podcast PRETEND. 

It’s hard to imagine former executives, investment fraudsters, and insider traders gathering for weekly support meetings.

When I first heard about a support group for white-collar criminals, I was skeptical. It sounded like an SNL sketch: former hedge fund managers, insider traders, and embezzlers sitting in a circle, sharing their woes. However, Jeff Grant, the founder of the White Collar Support Group, doesn’t see it that way. After serving time for his crimes, Grant emerged with a mission—to help others like him rebuild their lives, one meeting at a time. “I was lost,” he admits.

After his release from prison, Grant realized there was no blueprint for people like him to re-enter society. That’s why he founded the White Collar Support Group, a space for those prosecuted for financial crimes to navigate life after prison.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>Hey everyone, it's Javier. Neal and I are working hard on season two of the Ponzi Playbook. In the meantime, I want to share an episode that I think you'll enjoy from my other podcast PRETEND. </p><p><br></p><p>It’s hard to imagine former executives, investment fraudsters, and insider traders gathering for weekly support meetings.</p><p><br></p><p>When I first heard about a support group for white-collar criminals, I was skeptical. It sounded like an SNL sketch: former hedge fund managers, insider traders, and embezzlers sitting in a circle, sharing their woes. However, Jeff Grant, the founder of the White Collar Support Group, doesn’t see it that way. After serving time for his crimes, Grant emerged with a mission—to help others like him rebuild their lives, one meeting at a time. “I was lost,” he admits.</p><p><br></p><p>After his release from prison, Grant realized there was no blueprint for people like him to re-enter society. That’s why he founded the White Collar Support Group, a space for those prosecuted for financial crimes to navigate life after prison.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>3399</itunes:duration>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[e6db6022-907a-11ef-b476-7b3957f6a015]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV6475861717.mp3?updated=1729605312" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>18: Confessions of a Ponzi Schemer: The Timepiece Gentleman (Anthony Farrar)</title>
      <description>This episode offers an unprecedented look into the life of the 'Timepiece Gentleman' Ponzi schemer, Anthony Farrar, whose love for luxury watches spiraled into a deceitful web of lies, culminating in a rare and candid confession.
If you want to hear more wild Ponzi stories, subscribe to The Ponzi Playbook hosted by me, Javier Leiva, and my buddy Neal McTighe. 
SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/M02YhRa5Iq
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2024 14:33:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Confessions of a Ponzi Schemer: The Timepiece Gentleman (Anthony Farrar)</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>18</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/448368a8-f36b-11ee-8de2-0305d5c12299/image/3469be6c4909675920e724f7fef5528a.jpeg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>This episode offers an unprecedented look into the life of the 'Timepiece Gentleman' Ponzi schemer, Anthony Farrar, whose love for luxury watches spiraled into a deceitful web of lies, culminating in a rare and candid confession.
If you want to hear more wild Ponzi stories, subscribe to The Ponzi Playbook hosted by me, Javier Leiva, and my buddy Neal McTighe. 
SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/M02YhRa5Iq
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>This episode offers an unprecedented look into the life of the 'Timepiece Gentleman' Ponzi schemer, Anthony Farrar, whose love for luxury watches spiraled into a deceitful web of lies, culminating in a rare and candid confession.</p><p>If you want to hear more wild Ponzi stories, subscribe to <strong>The Ponzi Playbook</strong> hosted by me, Javier Leiva, and my buddy Neal McTighe. </p><p><strong>SUBSCRIBE:</strong> https://t.co/M02YhRa5Iq</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>2905</itunes:duration>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[448368a8-f36b-11ee-8de2-0305d5c12299]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV6490046505.mp3?updated=1712673603" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>17: Defrauding a U.S. President? Ferdinand Ward's Ponzi Scheme</title>
      <description>The Swindle of the Century: How Ferdinand Ward Duped President Grant

This episode unveils the cunning plot that led to the financial ruin of 
Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War hero and former President of the United 
States.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Mar 2024 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Defrauding a U.S. President? Ferdinand Ward's Ponzi Scheme</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>17</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:subtitle/>
      <itunes:summary>The Swindle of the Century: How Ferdinand Ward Duped President Grant

This episode unveils the cunning plot that led to the financial ruin of 
Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War hero and former President of the United 
States.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p><strong>The Swindle of the Century: How Ferdinand Ward Duped President Grant</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This episode unveils the cunning plot that led to the financial ruin of </p><p>Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War hero and former President of the United </p><p>States.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>2325</itunes:duration>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[ff889e92-5178-11ee-a9fe-f7a78244443d]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV2994366073.mp3?updated=1710339944" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>16: Matthew Beasley: You May Get Shot If You Run a $500M Ponzi</title>
      <description>Matthew Beasley, once a respected attorney in Las Vegas, found himself at the heart of a $500 million Ponzi scheme, entangling investors with the promise of lucrative returns from slip-and-fall lawsuits. But his empire crumbled on March 3, 2022, with a shootout after the FBI showed up at his doorstep.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Matthew Beasley: You May Get Shot If You Run a $500M Ponzi</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>16</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/928860f4-c570-11ee-bec8-7b878e4cd75b/image/PP_Logo_FINAL.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Matthew Beasley, once a respected attorney in Las Vegas, found himself at the heart of a $500 million Ponzi scheme, entangling investors with the promise of lucrative returns from slip-and-fall lawsuits. But his empire crumbled on March 3, 2022, with a shootout after the FBI showed up at his doorstep.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>Matthew Beasley, once a respected attorney in Las Vegas, found himself at the heart of a $500 million Ponzi scheme, entangling investors with the promise of lucrative returns from slip-and-fall lawsuits. But his empire crumbled on March 3, 2022, with a shootout after the FBI showed up at his doorstep.</p><p><br></p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1874</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[928860f4-c570-11ee-bec8-7b878e4cd75b]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5063987277.mp3?updated=1707280219" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>15: The Cash Flow King: The Ponzi Podcaster Matthew Motil</title>
      <description>In this episode of the Ponzi Playbook Podcast, we delve into the shocking case of Matthew Motil, the host of "The Cash Flow King" podcast, who was charged by the SEC for running an $11 million Ponzi scheme. Motil, from North Olmsted, Ohio, is accused of deceiving over 50 investors with promissory notes, falsely backed by real estate, while using their money for lavish personal expenses. We'll explore how he used his podcast and social media to lure investors, promising low-risk, high-return investments, and the impact on those who lost nearly their retirement savings. Join us as we dissect this cautionary tale of investment fraud and the ongoing efforts by authorities to bring justice to the victims.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>The Cash Flow King: The Ponzi Podcaster Matthew Motil</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>15</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/ff5f62ac-5178-11ee-a9fe-3f7207e564b6/image/PP_Logo_FINAL.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle/>
      <itunes:summary>In this episode of the Ponzi Playbook Podcast, we delve into the shocking case of Matthew Motil, the host of "The Cash Flow King" podcast, who was charged by the SEC for running an $11 million Ponzi scheme. Motil, from North Olmsted, Ohio, is accused of deceiving over 50 investors with promissory notes, falsely backed by real estate, while using their money for lavish personal expenses. We'll explore how he used his podcast and social media to lure investors, promising low-risk, high-return investments, and the impact on those who lost nearly their retirement savings. Join us as we dissect this cautionary tale of investment fraud and the ongoing efforts by authorities to bring justice to the victims.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>In this episode of the Ponzi Playbook Podcast, we delve into the shocking case of Matthew Motil, the host of "The Cash Flow King" podcast, who was charged by the SEC for running an $11 million Ponzi scheme. Motil, from North Olmsted, Ohio, is accused of deceiving over 50 investors with promissory notes, falsely backed by real estate, while using their money for lavish personal expenses. We'll explore how he used his podcast and social media to lure investors, promising low-risk, high-return investments, and the impact on those who lost nearly their retirement savings. Join us as we dissect this cautionary tale of investment fraud and the ongoing efforts by authorities to bring justice to the victims.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1852</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[ff5f62ac-5178-11ee-a9fe-3f7207e564b6]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5010270655.mp3?updated=1707280352" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Red Collar Killer part 1</title>
      <description>This week's "Ponzi Playbook" episode features a special crossover with Javier's acclaimed podcast, "PRETEND." Listeners are introduced to "The Red Collar Killer," the first of a two-part series. This engaging segment delves into the world of 'red collar' criminals, a concept coined by Frank Perri, an attorney, CPA, and certified fraud examiner. These criminals, originally involved in white-collar crime, resort to violence to hide their fraudulent activities.
PRETEND's "The Red Collar Killer" offers an intriguing look into this unique criminal behavior. For those captivated by this episode, part 2 will be available on "PRETEND," on your podcast platforms of choice.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vaCjR7UvlN9aTIzW6kNCo?si=7452a3292b1d4ec4

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-a-true-crime-podcast-about-con-artists/id1245307962
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>The Red Collar Killer part 1</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>bonus</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/ff365c04-5178-11ee-a9fe-f3ea548eefb4/image/ChannelCover.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle/>
      <itunes:summary>This week's "Ponzi Playbook" episode features a special crossover with Javier's acclaimed podcast, "PRETEND." Listeners are introduced to "The Red Collar Killer," the first of a two-part series. This engaging segment delves into the world of 'red collar' criminals, a concept coined by Frank Perri, an attorney, CPA, and certified fraud examiner. These criminals, originally involved in white-collar crime, resort to violence to hide their fraudulent activities.
PRETEND's "The Red Collar Killer" offers an intriguing look into this unique criminal behavior. For those captivated by this episode, part 2 will be available on "PRETEND," on your podcast platforms of choice.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vaCjR7UvlN9aTIzW6kNCo?si=7452a3292b1d4ec4

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-a-true-crime-podcast-about-con-artists/id1245307962
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>This week's "Ponzi Playbook" episode features a special crossover with Javier's acclaimed podcast, "PRETEND." Listeners are introduced to "The Red Collar Killer," the first of a two-part series. This engaging segment delves into the world of 'red collar' criminals, a concept coined by Frank Perri, an attorney, CPA, and certified fraud examiner. These criminals, originally involved in white-collar crime, resort to violence to hide their fraudulent activities.</p><p>PRETEND's "The Red Collar Killer" offers an intriguing look into this unique criminal behavior. For those captivated by this episode, part 2 will be available on "PRETEND," on your podcast platforms of choice.</p><p><br></p><p>Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vaCjR7UvlN9aTIzW6kNCo?si=7452a3292b1d4ec4</p><p><br></p><p>Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-a-true-crime-podcast-about-con-artists/id1245307962</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1800</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[ff365c04-5178-11ee-a9fe-f3ea548eefb4]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9583949345.mp3?updated=1700590731" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>14: From Soulmates to 'Scheme-mates': Brent and Jana Seaman's Ponzi Accusations</title>
      <description>Brent and Jana Seaman, a prominent Naples couple once regulars on the gala circuit, now face serious allegations as the SEC charges Brent Seaman with conducting a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme. On today's episode of the Ponzi Playbook, get an in-depth look at the couple's journey from socialite status to the center of a financial controversy.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Nov 2023 08:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>From Soulmates to 'Scheme-mates': Brent and Jana Seaman's Ponzi Accusations</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>14</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/a91a6c48-7db5-11ee-bdfb-9f05e11ec20d/image/5530b7.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Brent and Jana Seaman, a prominent Naples couple once regulars on the gala circuit, now face serious allegations as the SEC charges Brent Seaman with conducting a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme. On today's episode of the Ponzi Playbook, get an in-depth look at the couple's journey from socialite status to the center of a financial controversy.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>Brent and Jana Seaman, a prominent Naples couple once regulars on the gala circuit, now face serious allegations as the SEC charges Brent Seaman with conducting a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme. On today's episode of the Ponzi Playbook, get an in-depth look at the couple's journey from socialite status to the center of a financial controversy.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1507</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[a91a6c48-7db5-11ee-bdfb-9f05e11ec20d]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5979089887.mp3?updated=1699393437" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>13: Matthew Piercey: Ponzi Schemer Evades FBI Capture with Underwater Scooter</title>
      <description>Ponzi Schemer Evades FBI Capture with Underwater Scooter

44-year-old Matthew Piercey, accused of orchestrating a $35 million Ponzi scheme, led FBI agents on a wild chase through the streets of Redding, California. After evading capture on the roads and highways, Piercey made a desperate bid for escape by plunging into the icy waters of Lake Shasta, using a Yamaha 350LI underwater submersible device. Despite the treacherous temperatures and his mere street clothes, Piercey remained submerged for an astonishing 25 minutes before finally emerging, only to be apprehended by waiting law enforcement.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:41:19 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Matthew Piercey: Ponzi Schemer Evades FBI Capture with Underwater Scooter</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>13</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/fee64ce6-5178-11ee-a9fe-af3b43c1f06c/image/500f8d.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Ponzi Schemer Evades FBI Capture with Underwater Scooter

44-year-old Matthew Piercey, accused of orchestrating a $35 million Ponzi scheme, led FBI agents on a wild chase through the streets of Redding, California. After evading capture on the roads and highways, Piercey made a desperate bid for escape by plunging into the icy waters of Lake Shasta, using a Yamaha 350LI underwater submersible device. Despite the treacherous temperatures and his mere street clothes, Piercey remained submerged for an astonishing 25 minutes before finally emerging, only to be apprehended by waiting law enforcement.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<h1><strong>Ponzi Schemer Evades FBI Capture with Underwater Scooter</strong></h1><p><br></p><p>44-year-old Matthew Piercey, accused of orchestrating a $35 million Ponzi scheme, led FBI agents on a wild chase through the streets of Redding, California. After evading capture on the roads and highways, Piercey made a desperate bid for escape by plunging into the icy waters of Lake Shasta, using a Yamaha 350LI underwater submersible device. Despite the treacherous temperatures and his mere street clothes, Piercey remained submerged for an astonishing 25 minutes before finally emerging, only to be apprehended by waiting law enforcement.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1546</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[fee64ce6-5178-11ee-a9fe-af3b43c1f06c]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV6228400879.mp3?updated=1698237995" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12. Inside the World of Ponzi Schemes with Attorney Jordan Maglich of PonziTracker.com</title>
      <link>https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook</link>
      <description>Jordan Maglich, the Florida-based attorney, is a household name in the realm of Ponzi schemes. He's worked on landmark Ponzi cases and is the founder of PonziTracker.com. Join us on The Ponzi Playbook Podcast to hear about his firsthand experiences, the evolution of PonziTracker.com, and his unique perspective on the ever-evolving world of financial scams. 
Note: While Maglich represents Raymond James, all opinions and insights shared are exclusively his own.

Follow Jordan Maglich on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmaglich/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Inside the World of Ponzi Schemes with Attorney Jordan Maglich of PonziTracker.com</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>12</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/febda1ec-5178-11ee-a9fe-ef3b3c493497/image/ad618c.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Jordan Maglich, the Florida-based attorney, is a household name in the realm of Ponzi schemes. He's worked on landmark Ponzi cases and is the founder of PonziTracker.com. Join us on The Ponzi Playbook Podcast to hear about his firsthand experiences, the evolution of PonziTracker.com, and his unique perspective on the ever-evolving world of financial scams. 
Note: While Maglich represents Raymond James, all opinions and insights shared are exclusively his own.

Follow Jordan Maglich on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmaglich/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>Jordan Maglich, the Florida-based attorney, is a household name in the realm of Ponzi schemes. He's worked on landmark Ponzi cases and is the founder of PonziTracker.com. Join us on The Ponzi Playbook Podcast to hear about his firsthand experiences, the evolution of PonziTracker.com, and his unique perspective on the ever-evolving world of financial scams. </p><p>Note: While Maglich represents Raymond James, all opinions and insights shared are exclusively his own.</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Jordan Maglich on LinkedIn:</p><p>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmaglich/</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1598</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[febda1ec-5178-11ee-a9fe-ef3b3c493497]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV6916028635.mp3?updated=1697804414" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>11. Melissa Caddick: The Foot Washes up on the Shore</title>
      <description>The grisly discovery of a decomposed foot on a remote beach 300 miles south of Sydney has thrust missing con woman Melissa Caddick's Ponzi scheme into the spotlight. The mysterious foot discovery, along with her husband Anthony Koletti's frantic texts, ignited a media frenzy, shedding light on Caddick's murky financial schemes. Caddick had promised substantial returns to investors, amassing A$30 million primarily from family and friends over eight years. However, mounting delays and difficulties in accessing funds prompted the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to freeze her assets, exposing her financial front as an elaborate Ponzi scheme.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Melissa Caddick: The Foot Washes up on the Shore</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>11</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/fe955610-5178-11ee-a9fe-3330e3a73372/image/a3ea41.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>The grisly discovery of a decomposed foot on a remote beach 300 miles south of Sydney has thrust missing con woman Melissa Caddick's Ponzi scheme into the spotlight. The mysterious foot discovery, along with her husband Anthony Koletti's frantic texts, ignited a media frenzy, shedding light on Caddick's murky financial schemes. Caddick had promised substantial returns to investors, amassing A$30 million primarily from family and friends over eight years. However, mounting delays and difficulties in accessing funds prompted the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to freeze her assets, exposing her financial front as an elaborate Ponzi scheme.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>The grisly discovery of a decomposed foot on a remote beach 300 miles south of Sydney has thrust missing con woman Melissa Caddick's Ponzi scheme into the spotlight. The mysterious foot discovery, along with her husband Anthony Koletti's frantic texts, ignited a media frenzy, shedding light on Caddick's murky financial schemes. Caddick had promised substantial returns to investors, amassing A$30 million primarily from family and friends over eight years. However, mounting delays and difficulties in accessing funds prompted the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to freeze her assets, exposing her financial front as an elaborate Ponzi scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1794</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[fe955610-5178-11ee-a9fe-3330e3a73372]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5109555852.mp3?updated=1696970717" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>10: What a Shit Show: Ray Brewer's Cow Manure Ponzi</title>
      <description>The Cow Manure Ponzi Scheme that Scammed Millions
Wouldn't it be great if we can create energy from cow shit? It's a win-win idea. Fewer greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and a source of renewable energy. Brilliant! Right?
The so-called 'energy from cow manure' venture orchestrated by Ray Brewer became a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. From 2014 to 2019, the consummate bullshitter Ray Brewer hoodwinked investors, promising green energy riches, tax incentives, and 66% of net profits in his elaborate web of deception. This bizarre saga involves fake anaerobic digesters, forged contracts, and a trail of misappropriated funds. Join us as we crawl out of Ray Brewer's cow manure Ponzi scheme, where investors' dreams turned into a nightmarish 'Shit Show.'
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>What a Shit Show: Ray Brewer's Cow Manure Ponzi</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>10</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/fe6a8a70-5178-11ee-a9fe-1f454c99d0ca/image/05e8de.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>The Cow Manure Ponzi Scheme that Scammed Millions
Wouldn't it be great if we can create energy from cow shit? It's a win-win idea. Fewer greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and a source of renewable energy. Brilliant! Right?
The so-called 'energy from cow manure' venture orchestrated by Ray Brewer became a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. From 2014 to 2019, the consummate bullshitter Ray Brewer hoodwinked investors, promising green energy riches, tax incentives, and 66% of net profits in his elaborate web of deception. This bizarre saga involves fake anaerobic digesters, forged contracts, and a trail of misappropriated funds. Join us as we crawl out of Ray Brewer's cow manure Ponzi scheme, where investors' dreams turned into a nightmarish 'Shit Show.'
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>The Cow Manure Ponzi Scheme that Scammed Millions</p><p>Wouldn't it be great if we can create energy from cow shit? It's a win-win idea. Fewer greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and a source of renewable energy. Brilliant! Right?</p><p>The so-called 'energy from cow manure' venture orchestrated by Ray Brewer became a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. From 2014 to 2019, the consummate bullshitter Ray Brewer hoodwinked investors, promising green energy riches, tax incentives, and 66% of net profits in his elaborate web of deception. This bizarre saga involves fake anaerobic digesters, forged contracts, and a trail of misappropriated funds. Join us as we crawl out of Ray Brewer's cow manure Ponzi scheme, where investors' dreams turned into a nightmarish 'Shit Show.'</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1341</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[fe6a8a70-5178-11ee-a9fe-1f454c99d0ca]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5489408057.mp3?updated=1694531875" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>9: Chimene Van Gundy: “The Queen of Mobile Homes” Ponzi</title>
      <link>https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook</link>
      <description>Chimene Van Gundy, hailing from Texas, has been implicated in an alleged fraudulent scheme amounting to a staggering $18.5 million, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Nicknamed "The Queen of Mobile Homes," Van Gundy purportedly masterminded a Ponzi scheme that revolved around refurbishing and reselling mobile homes, leaving investors in financial ruin.

Follow The Ponzi Playbook on X (formerly known as Twitter):
https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>9</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/4d58b146-4663-11ee-a5a2-43030343dfab/image/3bb995.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Chimene Van Gundy, hailing from Texas, has been implicated in an alleged fraudulent scheme amounting to a staggering $18.5 million, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Nicknamed "The Queen of Mobile Homes," Van Gundy purportedly masterminded a Ponzi scheme that revolved around refurbishing and reselling mobile homes, leaving investors in financial ruin.

Follow The Ponzi Playbook on X (formerly known as Twitter):
https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>Chimene Van Gundy, hailing from Texas, has been implicated in an alleged fraudulent scheme amounting to a staggering $18.5 million, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Nicknamed "The Queen of Mobile Homes," Van Gundy purportedly masterminded a Ponzi scheme that revolved around refurbishing and reselling mobile homes, leaving investors in financial ruin.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow The Ponzi Playbook on X</strong> (formerly known as Twitter):</p><p>https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1537</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[4d58b146-4663-11ee-a5a2-43030343dfab]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3471430306.mp3?updated=1693316158" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>8: A High Flying Ponzi: Planes, Drugs, and International Fugitives</title>
      <description>Trust company owner Debra Lynn Mercer-Erwin is convicted on drug trafficking charges and found guilty in a $240 million Ponzi scheme.

Follow us on Twitter...errr X:
https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>A High Flying Ponzi: Planes, Drugs, and International Fugitives</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>8</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/f4894f76-3ba9-11ee-aacd-63ef84d52be8/image/16467f.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Trust company owner Debra Lynn Mercer-Erwin is convicted on drug trafficking charges and found guilty in a $240 million Ponzi scheme.

Follow us on Twitter...errr X:
https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>Trust company owner Debra Lynn Mercer-Erwin is convicted on drug trafficking charges and found guilty in a $240 million Ponzi scheme.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow us on Twitter...errr X:</strong></p><p>https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1326</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[f4894f76-3ba9-11ee-aacd-63ef84d52be8]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9602921603.mp3?updated=1697804293" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>7: The $340M DeFi Crypto Ponzi Scheme</title>
      <link>https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook</link>
      <description>Forsage.io Founders Indicted: Exploring Cryptocurrencies as Potential Ponzi Schemes

In this episode we unravel the Forsage.io scandal, revealing its founders' shocking indictment by the DOJ in February 2023. Originally flagged by the SEC in August 2022, Forsage.io, a DeFi crypto company, orchestrated transactions exceeding $340 million over two years, yet investigations unveiled its lack of legitimate offerings, surviving solely on unwitting investors' contributions. Join us as we dissect this unfolding saga and delve deep into the contentious debate surrounding whether cryptocurrencies inherently harbor the characteristics of a Ponzi scheme.

Follow us on Twitter...errr X:
https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:55:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>The $340M DeFi Crypto Ponzi Scheme</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>7</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/d9799892-314c-11ee-aca6-ffcd2a9d651d/image/3c1b5a.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Forsage.io Founders Indicted: Exploring Cryptocurrencies as Potential Ponzi Schemes

In this episode we unravel the Forsage.io scandal, revealing its founders' shocking indictment by the DOJ in February 2023. Originally flagged by the SEC in August 2022, Forsage.io, a DeFi crypto company, orchestrated transactions exceeding $340 million over two years, yet investigations unveiled its lack of legitimate offerings, surviving solely on unwitting investors' contributions. Join us as we dissect this unfolding saga and delve deep into the contentious debate surrounding whether cryptocurrencies inherently harbor the characteristics of a Ponzi scheme.

Follow us on Twitter...errr X:
https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<h1>Forsage.io Founders Indicted: Exploring Cryptocurrencies as Potential Ponzi Schemes</h1><p><br></p><p>In this episode we unravel the Forsage.io scandal, revealing its founders' shocking indictment by the DOJ in February 2023. Originally flagged by the SEC in August 2022, Forsage.io, a DeFi crypto company, orchestrated transactions exceeding $340 million over two years, yet investigations unveiled its lack of legitimate offerings, surviving solely on unwitting investors' contributions. Join us as we dissect this unfolding saga and delve deep into the contentious debate surrounding whether cryptocurrencies inherently harbor the characteristics of a Ponzi scheme.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow us on Twitter...errr X:</strong></p><p>https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1780</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[d9799892-314c-11ee-aca6-ffcd2a9d651d]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7649804092.mp3?updated=1692134288" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>6: Rick Siskey: From Chess Master to Ponzi Puppeteer</title>
      <description>Rick Siskey, known as "Big Rick" for his larger-than-life persona, led a lavish and opulent lifestyle while orchestrating one of Charlotte, North Carolina's largest Ponzi schemes. With a strategic mind reminiscent of a chess master, Siskey's ability to stay ahead and his uncanny foresight attracted high-net-worth individuals to entrust him with their investments. However, what seemed like a haven for their money was a house of cards. The IRS and FBI investigations uncovered that Siskey had diverted millions of dollars into personal accounts, indulging in luxuries like high-end wine, diamonds, and even casinos. The scheme unraveled, leaving behind a trail of devastated investors. Tragically, faced with the imminent collapse of his empire, Rick Siskey risks it all.

Follow The Ponzi Playbook on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jul 2023 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Rick Siskey: From Chess Master to Ponzi Puppeteer</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>6</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/ac415d92-2576-11ee-89e9-a3979c8cb0cd/image/91937e.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Rick Siskey, known as "Big Rick" for his larger-than-life persona, led a lavish and opulent lifestyle while orchestrating one of Charlotte, North Carolina's largest Ponzi schemes. With a strategic mind reminiscent of a chess master, Siskey's ability to stay ahead and his uncanny foresight attracted high-net-worth individuals to entrust him with their investments. However, what seemed like a haven for their money was a house of cards. The IRS and FBI investigations uncovered that Siskey had diverted millions of dollars into personal accounts, indulging in luxuries like high-end wine, diamonds, and even casinos. The scheme unraveled, leaving behind a trail of devastated investors. Tragically, faced with the imminent collapse of his empire, Rick Siskey risks it all.

Follow The Ponzi Playbook on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>Rick Siskey, known as "Big Rick" for his larger-than-life persona, led a lavish and opulent lifestyle while orchestrating one of Charlotte, North Carolina's largest Ponzi schemes. With a strategic mind reminiscent of a chess master, Siskey's ability to stay ahead and his uncanny foresight attracted high-net-worth individuals to entrust him with their investments. However, what seemed like a haven for their money was a house of cards. The IRS and FBI investigations uncovered that Siskey had diverted millions of dollars into personal accounts, indulging in luxuries like high-end wine, diamonds, and even casinos. The scheme unraveled, leaving behind a trail of devastated investors. Tragically, faced with the imminent collapse of his empire, Rick Siskey risks it all.</p><p><br></p><p>Follow The Ponzi Playbook on Twitter:</p><p>https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1753</itunes:duration>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[ac415d92-2576-11ee-89e9-a3979c8cb0cd]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7944404728.mp3?updated=1689962565" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>5: Doc Gallagher: Texas, God, and Affinity Fraud = Three Life Sentences</title>
      <description>Retired Christians Fall Prey to 'Money Doctor's' $32 Million Ponzi Scheme.
William Neil Gallagher, also known as "Doc" Gallagher, orchestrated a massive Ponzi scheme targeting retired Christians. Operating under the guise of a licensed investment adviser, Gallagher exploited the trust of up to 190 senior-citizen investors, ranging from ages 62 to 91. With losses estimated between $19.3 million and $32 million, this affinity con artist promised guaranteed, risk-free returns of 5% to 8% per year, only to shatter the dreams of those seeking financial security in their golden years.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Jul 2023 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Doc Gallagher: : Texas, God, a Ponzi = Three Life Sentences</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>5</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/50d03082-1ba3-11ee-8851-83f6bd8badb5/image/f0dee1.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Retired Christians Fall Prey to 'Money Doctor's' $32 Million Ponzi Scheme.
William Neil Gallagher, also known as "Doc" Gallagher, orchestrated a massive Ponzi scheme targeting retired Christians. Operating under the guise of a licensed investment adviser, Gallagher exploited the trust of up to 190 senior-citizen investors, ranging from ages 62 to 91. With losses estimated between $19.3 million and $32 million, this affinity con artist promised guaranteed, risk-free returns of 5% to 8% per year, only to shatter the dreams of those seeking financial security in their golden years.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p><strong>Retired Christians Fall Prey to 'Money Doctor's' $32 Million Ponzi Scheme.</strong></p><p>William Neil Gallagher, also known as "Doc" Gallagher, orchestrated a massive Ponzi scheme targeting retired Christians. Operating under the guise of a licensed investment adviser, Gallagher exploited the trust of up to 190 senior-citizen investors, ranging from ages 62 to 91. With losses estimated between $19.3 million and $32 million, this affinity con artist promised guaranteed, risk-free returns of 5% to 8% per year, only to shatter the dreams of those seeking financial security in their golden years.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1626</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[50d03082-1ba3-11ee-8851-83f6bd8badb5]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV8366489244.mp3?updated=1688662059" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>4. Johanna Garcia: Mother Teresa Ran a Ponzi Scheme?</title>
      <description>Mother Teresa is the last person you'd expect to be caught up in a Ponzi scheme. Well, not the iconic humanitarian we all know, but a certain Johanna M. Garcia from North Lauderdale who went by that moniker in her community.
In 2021, The SEC filed a complaint against Garcia and her colleagues at MJ Taxes and More.
Initially known for helping businesses secure the funds they needed through Merchant Cash Advances, Garcia positioned herself as a savior for hardworking individuals seeking financial assistance. She boasted annualized returns of 120% to 180% for investors willing to participate as "Purchasers" in her scheme.
However, as the investigation unraveled, it became evident that Johanna Garcia, or the self-proclaimed Mother Teresa, was orchestrating an elaborate fraud scheme.
Listen to the story of Johanna Garcia, a Ponzi schemer who tried to hide behind the name of an angelic figure. 

Follow The Ponzi Playbook on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jun 2023 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Johanna Garcia: Mother Teresa Ran a Ponzi Scheme?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/0a296e50-0f8c-11ee-8856-fb70f5b914db/image/PP_Logo_FINAL.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Mother Teresa is the last person you'd expect to be caught up in a Ponzi scheme. Well, not the iconic humanitarian we all know, but a certain Johanna M. Garcia from North Lauderdale who went by that moniker in her community.
In 2021, The SEC filed a complaint against Garcia and her colleagues at MJ Taxes and More.
Initially known for helping businesses secure the funds they needed through Merchant Cash Advances, Garcia positioned herself as a savior for hardworking individuals seeking financial assistance. She boasted annualized returns of 120% to 180% for investors willing to participate as "Purchasers" in her scheme.
However, as the investigation unraveled, it became evident that Johanna Garcia, or the self-proclaimed Mother Teresa, was orchestrating an elaborate fraud scheme.
Listen to the story of Johanna Garcia, a Ponzi schemer who tried to hide behind the name of an angelic figure. 

Follow The Ponzi Playbook on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<h1>Mother Teresa is the last person you'd expect to be caught up in a Ponzi scheme. Well, not the iconic humanitarian we all know, but a certain Johanna M. Garcia from North Lauderdale who went by that moniker in her community.</h1><p>In 2021, The SEC filed a complaint against Garcia and her colleagues at <em>MJ Taxes and More</em>.</p><p>Initially known for helping businesses secure the funds they needed through Merchant Cash Advances, Garcia positioned herself as a savior for hardworking individuals seeking financial assistance. She boasted annualized returns of 120% to 180% for investors willing to participate as "Purchasers" in her scheme.</p><p>However, as the investigation unraveled, it became evident that Johanna Garcia, or the self-proclaimed Mother Teresa, was orchestrating an elaborate fraud scheme.</p><p><strong>Listen to the story of Johanna Garcia, a Ponzi schemer who tried to hide behind the name of an angelic figure. </strong></p><p><br></p><h2><strong>Follow The Ponzi Playbook on Twitter:</strong></h2><p>https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1740</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[0a296e50-0f8c-11ee-8856-fb70f5b914db]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV1257149402.mp3?updated=1687398621" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>3. Fred Sharp: When a Fraudster’s Life Imitates Art</title>
      <link>https://linktr.ee/ponziplaybook</link>
      <description>In this episode of "The Ponzi Playbook," we deviate from the world of Ponzi schemes and explore the captivating life of Frederick L. Sharp—a story where life imitates art.

Follow us on social:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ponzi-playbook/
Substack: https://ponziplaybook.substack.com/publish?utm_source=user-menu
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jun 2023 07:30:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Fred Sharp: When a Fraudster’s Life Imitates Art</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>3</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/3c79b778-03d1-11ee-aa62-db0cdc92a16a/image/0c3b26.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>In this episode of "The Ponzi Playbook," we deviate from the world of Ponzi schemes and explore the captivating life of Frederick L. Sharp—a story where life imitates art.

Follow us on social:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ponzi-playbook/
Substack: https://ponziplaybook.substack.com/publish?utm_source=user-menu
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>In this episode of "The Ponzi Playbook," we deviate from the world of Ponzi schemes and explore the captivating life of Frederick L. Sharp—a story where life imitates art.</p><p><br></p><p>Follow us on social:</p><p><strong>Twitter:</strong> https://twitter.com/ponziplaybook</p><p><strong>LinkedIn:</strong> https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ponzi-playbook/</p><p><strong>Substack:</strong> https://ponziplaybook.substack.com/publish?utm_source=user-menu</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1435</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[3c79b778-03d1-11ee-aa62-db0cdc92a16a]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV6471910480.mp3?updated=1685994608" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>2. Eric J. Dalius &amp; The Saivian Ponzi Scheme</title>
      <description>In this episode, we delve into the world of Eric J. Dalius, a mastermind behind the Saivian Ponzi scheme that promised incredible cash-back rewards for everyday purchases. Join us as we expose the elaborate pitch and the captivating persona of Dalius, who mesmerized investors with promises of lucrative returns.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 May 2023 12:20:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>Eric J. Dalius &amp; The Saivian Ponzi Scheme</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>2</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/d7e2f91c-f856-11ed-8aae-4300fb021fc4/image/b4746b.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>In this episode, we delve into the world of Eric J. Dalius, a mastermind behind the Saivian Ponzi scheme that promised incredible cash-back rewards for everyday purchases. Join us as we expose the elaborate pitch and the captivating persona of Dalius, who mesmerized investors with promises of lucrative returns.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>In this episode, we delve into the world of Eric J. Dalius, a mastermind behind the Saivian Ponzi scheme that promised incredible cash-back rewards for everyday purchases. Join us as we expose the elaborate pitch and the captivating persona of Dalius, who mesmerized investors with promises of lucrative returns.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>1803</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[d7e2f91c-f856-11ed-8aae-4300fb021fc4]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4017881262.mp3?updated=1684758273" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>1. George Santos &amp; The Harbor City Capital Ponzi Scheme</title>
      <description>We peel back the layers of the Harbor City Capital Ponzi scheme, exposing the deceptive tactics orchestrated by Jonathan Paul Maroney and shedding light on the involvement of George Santos. In this episode, we delve deep into the intricate workings of the scheme, where enticing promises of remarkable returns through internet advertising conceal a web of deceit.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 May 2023 12:19:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>George Santos &amp; The Harbor City Capital Ponzi Scheme</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/4f24033c-f856-11ed-8220-3b68585088f9/image/0ca7f1.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>We peel back the layers of the Harbor City Capital Ponzi scheme, exposing the deceptive tactics orchestrated by Jonathan Paul Maroney and shedding light on the involvement of George Santos. In this episode, we delve deep into the intricate workings of the scheme, where enticing promises of remarkable returns through internet advertising conceal a web of deceit.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>We peel back the layers of the Harbor City Capital Ponzi scheme, exposing the deceptive tactics orchestrated by Jonathan Paul Maroney and shedding light on the involvement of George Santos. In this episode, we delve deep into the intricate workings of the scheme, where enticing promises of remarkable returns through internet advertising conceal a web of deceit.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>2452</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[4f24033c-f856-11ed-8220-3b68585088f9]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV1499635673.mp3?updated=1684758302" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Ponzi Playbook Trailer</title>
      <link>https://ponziplaybook.substack.com/p/coming-soon</link>
      <description>Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Apr 2023 20:57:00 -0000</pubDate>
      <itunes:title>The Ponzi Playbook Trailer</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>trailer</itunes:episodeType>
      <itunes:author>Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva</itunes:author>
      <itunes:image href="https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/bac44b1c-e37d-11ed-b7f8-6f3e48ffdf11/image/09e685.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&amp;max-w=3000&amp;max-h=3000&amp;fit=crop&amp;auto=format,compress"/>
      <itunes:subtitle></itunes:subtitle>
      <itunes:summary>Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</itunes:summary>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[<p>Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.</p><p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a></p>]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <itunes:duration>55</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
      <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[bac44b1c-e37d-11ed-b7f8-6f3e48ffdf11]]></guid>
      <enclosure url="https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/t7yC0rGPUqahTF4et8YD/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV2810738099.mp3?updated=1682629370" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/>
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