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PRETEND podcast

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PRETEND

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  Creative Babble, LLC  

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]

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]

 

All

Progress

Duration

Release Date

#280

2404: Open Enrollment, Open Season for Scammers

This is the story of Simple Health Plans, a $150 million health insurance scam that preyed... more

09 Dec 2025

28 MINS

28:00

09 Dec 2025

#279

2403: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 3

Harry spent nearly two years believing the woman he loved was dying of brain cancer. He st... more

02 Dec 2025

41 MINS

41:32

02 Dec 2025

#278

Listener Reaction: The Cancer Sympathy Machine (BONUS)

In this bonus episode, Ali, one of my longtime Patreon supporters, reached out after liste... more

28 Nov 2025

20 MINS

20:22

28 Nov 2025

#277

2402: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 2

Why would anyone fake cancer? Money? Sure. Attention? Definitely. But as I learned in this... more

25 Nov 2025

30 MINS

30:34

25 Nov 2025

#276

2401: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1

Some people fake cancer for sympathy. Others do it for money. But the truth is darker than... more

18 Nov 2025

37 MINS

37:49

18 Nov 2025

#275

Dakota Spotlight: Meanwhile in Mankato

On PRETEND, we tell stories about people who build false identities and hide the truth in ... more

17 Nov 2025

56 MINS

56:03

17 Nov 2025

#274

2309: From Smallville to NXIVM: The Psychology Behind Allison Mack

Smallville's Allison Mack is out of prison, and she's finally talking. What was NXIVM, and... more

11 Nov 2025

43 MINS

43:23

11 Nov 2025

#273

Bonus: The Psychology Behind Parasocial Relationships (Cracks in the Fandom)

This bonus episode is a chance to step back and make sense of everything that just unfolde... more

10 Nov 2025

28 MINS

28:05

10 Nov 2025

#272

The Hypnotist - Alien Abductions

Alien abductions.Hundreds of people say it’s happened to them.They’re not looking for fame... more

01 Nov 2025

39 MINS

39:56

01 Nov 2025

#271

The Haunted Tourist

It’s Day 2 of my Halloween Marathon, and today we’re diving into The Haunted Tourist. I’m ... more

31 Oct 2025

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:29

31 Oct 2025

#270

The Real Vampires

Hey, it’s Javier. Quick update: Meghan Walsh, the subject of my Cracks in the Fandom serie... more

30 Oct 2025

43 MINS

43:00

30 Oct 2025

#269

2304: Cracks in the Fandom part 4

Important Update on “Cracks in the Fandom”Meghan Walsh, the subject of my latest series, f... more

28 Oct 2025

56 MINS

56:21

28 Oct 2025

#268

2303: Cracks in the Fandom part 3

Cracks in the Fandom — Part 3 (Edited Copyright Cut)PRETEND: Stories about real people pre... more

21 Oct 2025

44 MINS

44:53

21 Oct 2025

#267

2302: Cracks in the Fandom part 2

Meghan Walsh says she is being stalked by three people. One of them is Law & Order: SVU st... more

14 Oct 2025

41 MINS

41:55

14 Oct 2025

#266

2301: Cracks in the Fandom part 1

🎧 NEW SERIES: “Cracks in the Fandom” What would you do if you thought your favorite cele... more

06 Oct 2025

39 MINS

39:13

06 Oct 2025

#265

2210: The High School Hoax Update

A 32-year-old woman enrolled herself in three Boston high schools and passed as a teenager... more

30 Sep 2025

32 MINS

32:37

30 Sep 2025

#264

2209: The Stalker: Rick Fernandez’s Guilty Plea

Breaking news in the stalker case: Rick Fernandez has pleaded guilty to harassment. Instea... more

23 Sep 2025

12 MINS

12:25

23 Sep 2025

#263

2208: The Monster

Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and may ... more

16 Sep 2025

43 MINS

43:58

16 Sep 2025

#262

2208: State of Corruption: Ohio part 2

Tyler Fehrman went undercover for the FBI after his mentor, Ohio GOP chair Matt Borges, of... more

09 Sep 2025

40 MINS

40:37

09 Sep 2025

#261

2207: State of Corruption: Ohio part 1

Tyler Fehrman went undercover to bring down the Speaker of the Ohio House. He wore a wire.... more

02 Sep 2025

36 MINS

36:45

02 Sep 2025