302 Episodes

  1. 2101: My Wife, the Ponzi Schemer

    Published: 4/15/2025

  2. 2013: I Married a Narcissist part 3

    Published: 4/8/2025

  3. 2012: I Married a Narcissist part 2 Listener Reactions

    Published: 4/1/2025

  4. 2011: I Married a Narcissist part 1

    Published: 3/25/2025

  5. 2010: The Keepsake Scandal

    Published: 3/21/2025

  6. 2009: The Gambler Revisited

    Published: 3/11/2025

  7. 2008: Licensed to Kill part 2

    Published: 3/4/2025

  8. 2007: Licensed to Kill part 1

    Published: 2/25/2025

  9. 2006: Operation Cock Block

    Published: 2/19/2025

  10. 2005: The Telepathy Tapes B-side part 3

    Published: 2/11/2025

  11. 2004: The Telepathy Tapes B-Side part 2

    Published: 2/4/2025

  12. 2003: The Telepathy Tapes B-Side part 1

    Published: 1/28/2025

  13. Criminal Conduct S5: The Life and Death of Buffalo Jim

    Published: 1/21/2025

  14. Nobody Should Believe Me: Sophie Saves Zambia

    Published: 1/14/2025

  15. 2002: DNA Deception

    Published: 1/7/2025

  16. 2001: Drone Hysteria

    Published: 12/31/2024

  17. 1914: BONUS: Grapes, Grifts, and Gavel

    Published: 12/26/2024

  18. 1913: The Christmas Con Revisited

    Published: 12/24/2024

  19. 1912: BONUS: Affirmative Pretend Bullsh**

    Published: 12/23/2024

  20. 1911: Love and Taxes Revisited

    Published: 12/18/2024

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PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web. Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons. PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling. Featured in lists of the best podcasts about con artists and scams, PRETEND investigates crimes of persuasion, trust, and betrayal. New episodes drop regularly with stories that reveal how manipulation shapes modern life, both online and off. PRETEND is produced by Creative Babble, LLC. © 2025 Creative Babble LLC [CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]