Scam Roundup
Pat takes Kath through a few scams that have hit the news lately, including a dime theft, a beloved tamale restaurant's dark underbelly, and a fake priest ring.
Paul Jordan-Smith and Disumbrationism
Kath brings Pat another art scam from a man so disgusted by modern art he decided to invent an entire genre of it: Disumbrationism.
Dan Saunders and The Glitch
Pat tells Kath about yet another Australian man who benefitted from an ATM glitch to the tune of over a million dollars - it's happened twice! And he would have gotten away with it if he weren't such a good guy.
Abscam
Kath tells Pat about a enterprising criminal who finagled his way into a job at the FBI and subsequently took down scores of politicians in a sting involving a fictional Emirati Sheik. This story is the basis for David O Russell's movie, AMERICAN HUSTLE.
Subway
Pat tells Kath about the predatory franchising agreements behind our (least?) favorite sandwiches, which screw over new American immigrants in particular.
Norval Morrisseau
Kath tells Pat about a Canadian first nations painter whose work has been mimicked by multiple forgery rings to the tune of over 100 million dollars' worth of fake paintings.
John Ackah Blay-Miezah
Pat tells Kath about a Ghanaian in America who scammed hundreds of people from into thinking he had the keys to the wealth of the newly independent nation of Ghana. Check out the new book Anansi's Gold by Yepoka Yeebo for more info!
Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich
Kath tells Pat about the dramatic life of one of the originators of the American self help movement, serial grifter Napoleon Hill.
Stockton Rush and Oceangate
Pat tells Kath about the shady origins of the Titan submersible and Oceangate's founder, Stockton Rush.
2022 Brinks Truck Robbery
Kath tells Pat about an unsolved jewelry theft in California and the multiple lawsuits that it spawned. Check out the article cited by Miranda Green here: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/05/the-ugly-fight-over-the-brinks-robbery-in-california.html
Clayton and Molly Daniels
Pat tells Kath about a man from an Austin suburb who tragically died in a car wreck, leaving his wife and step-child behind to pick up the pieces. Or did he?
Hillsong Church
Kath tells Pat about the celebrity-favored Hillsong Church and its history of corruption, which spans multiple generations and continents.
Nicholas Alahverdian
Pat tells Kath about a prominent figure in Rhode Island politics with a dark past and a very confusing present - he's pretending to be a UK resident named Arthur Knight.
Natwarlal
Kath tells Pat about a semi-legendary con artist who's become a cultural touchstone in India and a folk hero in his hometown.
Bang Energy ft. Mike Wiebe
Comedian and musician Mike Wiebe (The McCuewans, Riverboat Gamblers, Drakulas) joins Pat and Kath to talk about Bang Energy and its eccentric CEO, Jack Owoc.
Stimwave
Kath tells Pat about a non-narcotic pain relief invention that turned out too good to be true.
House of Prayer Christian Church
Pat tells Kath about an evangelical church that targeted military members and veterans for their government benefits to the tune of millions of dollars.
Mexico's Ancient Art Heist
Kath tells Pat about a robbery at Mexico's Museo Nacional de Antropologia, where an unlikely duo made off with over 20 million in ancient artefacts.
The Right Wing Griftosphere with Talia Lavin
Talia Lavin (@swordsjew, author of Culture Warlords) joins Kath and Pat for a conversation about the modern right wing universe of con artists and grifters.
Susan Meachen
Pat tells Kath about the recent resurrection of a self published romance novelist.