IAFCI Presents... The Protectors

Criminals use every bit of technology to their advantage. You can no longer trust who is calling, sending a text, or an email. You just never know who is at the other end. And you can wind up losing everything. Welcome to today's episode of  The Protectors Podcast. In this episode, we're joined by a special guest, Christian, a brave college student who has experienced firsthand the devastatin...

Insurance fraud, a hidden but significant menace, greatly impacts the U.S. economy and your wallet. As fraud cases rise, they inflict severe losses on insurers, inevitably leading to higher premiums for honest policyholders like you. To tackle this issue effectively, a strategic collaboration between government agencies, law enforcement, and insurance companies is essential for protecting our econ...

For anyone who has owned a pet, you know the bond and emotional attachment that instantly occurs when you welcome them into your family. Online fraudsters also know this and lure you in with your heart, a few pictures, and your wallet. Unscrupulous individuals, social media postings, and fraudulent websites have taken advantage of people's desires to own a new pet. On today's episode of ...

Don't trust that random text or direct message from a stranger - it might be the first step in a "Pig Butchering" scam. So named in reference to the practice of fattening a pig before slaughter, these scams often involve fraudsters contacting targets seemingly at random, then gaining trust before ultimately manipulating their targets into phony investments and disappearing with the funds. Today on...

Samantha Josephson was   a 21-year-old student at the University of South Carolina when she ordered an Uber and mistakenly entered a car she thought was her ride. The driver used childproof locks to prevent Samantha from leaving the vehicle, and was kidnapped and subsequently murdered. This horrific crime attracted national media attention and led to discussions about the dangers of rideshari...

Whether it’s fake booking websites, vacation rental scams, ticket fraud, or gas pump skimming, summer travel scams can quickly turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. That’s why it’s essential to be aware of these scams and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Today, Mike and Mark welcome their producer Doug Taylor to the show, where they discuss some of the most common and dange...

In today's digital age, online banking has become an essential part of our daily lives. With just a few clicks, we can access and manage our finances anytime and anywhere. However, with this convenience comes the risk of falling victim to online banking scams such as phishing, smishing, and vishing scams. As these types of cyber attacks become increasingly sophisticated, it is crucial for individu...

Almost half of the content of the Internet is located on the dark web. Though there are legitimate reasons for the dark web, most of its content is for the criminal element. From carding sites that will sell your account and personal identifying information to prostitution, murder for hire, human trafficking, and child pornography, the dark web is mostly a lawless place for the underworld to traff...

The disappearance and unexplained death of romance scam victim Laura Kowal has our listeners perplexed as to what happened on August 7, 2020. The story is far from over. Laura's daughter returns to this 2-part podcast special to talk about the day her mother's body was found and many of the troubling circumstances behind the investigation of her mother's death. Was it suicide or something mor...

It's a call that no child ever wants to receive; For Kelly Gowe, it would be the call that changed her entire life and that of her family. On August 7, 2020, Kelly was notified by law enforcement that her Mother, Laura Kowal, was believed to be a victim of a romance/investment scheme which would later uncover that $1.5 million had been stolen from Laura by fraudsters. Laura Kowal disappe...

Ransomware and sextortion scams are becoming increasingly common on social media sites. With the increasing prevalence of these cybercrimes in the digital world, we must equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge and tools to safeguard our online identities and devices. Joining us on this episode of  The Protectors  is our expert guest, Alain Filotto, who will share his insights and ex...

In today's society, there is often a debate between the rule of law and excessive punishment. Violent crimes and the physical safety of our citizens will always be the priority. But when law enforcement and prosecutors see trends that financial crimes are linked to more serious crimes, should we be doing more?  Today, Mike and Mark welcome retired San Diego Prosecutor Paul Greenwood back to t...

Ponzi schemes have been around since 1920.  But Sam Bankman-Fried weaponized Ponzi schemes into the 21st Century.  An old scheme perpetrated through cryptocurrency leaves the world with 5 billion in losses.  How did it happen, and how do we prevent it from happening again? Today on  The Protectors , Mike and Mark welcome Michael Fasanello.  Michael is a private sector comp...

On today's episode of  The Protectors , Mike and Mark broadcast from the 2022 IAFCI Conference in Baltimore and welcome fellow IAFCI member Ian Mitchell.  Ian is the founder of The Knoble, a network of financial crimes experts that focuses on protecting the vulnerable, including victims of human trafficking, child exploitation, scams, and elder abuse.  Through The Knoble, Ian has sp...

Chicago is an amazing city.  Home to vibrant culture, world-class food, and a diverse population of millions, it's a beloved metropolis with so much to offer.  Yet, the men and women who keep us safe in the Windy City are not without their sacrifices.  The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation was created to honor fallen officers and provide support to the families of those injured in...

In this episode of The Protectors, Mike and Mark delve into the dark world of financial fraud.  From sophisticated phishing schemes to insider collusion, we examine the various methods criminals use to steal from banks and their customers.  Chris, a subscriber to the podcast, shares his personal story of how he almost became a victim of an attempted bank takeover.  Join us as we unc...

Are you unknowingly being scammed out of your home? On today's episode of "The Protectors," Mike and Mark welcome attorney David Fleck.  David is a former Deputy DA who has prosecuted felonies and complex financial crimes, including real estate, investment, and loan fraud.  David gave up his law practice and in February 2019, co-founded Veritable Data Solutions, Inc. to prevent deed frau...

Chances are you're buying at least one gift card this time of year. But you need to be especially vigilant this holiday season because scammers are increasingly using gift cards to steal your money. On today's episode of The Protectors , Mike and Mark welcome Martha Weaver. Martha currently serves as the North American Head of Retail Partnerships at Tillo, a company that offers a so...

The holiday season is always a special time of year but also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. We can never be too careful, too prepared, or too aware.  On today's show, Mike and Mark welcome an expert on the subject, Scott Warren.  Scott is the acting Supervisor in charge of Investigations at the Oak Brook, Illinois Police Departmen...

IAFCI Presents…The Protectors Podcast Celebrates its 30th episode by honoring the life of NYFD Fireman Stephen Siller and so many others who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11/2001. Mike and Mark welcome to the show Stephen’s brother, Frank Siller, who started Tunnel To Towers Foundation (T2T.org) to honor his brother and others.  Over the past 21 years, Frank has helped thousands...

Local police departments all over the country are alerting residents of a rise in " ruse burglaries ."  These burglaries can occur anywhere and often end in significant losses for the unwary homeowner. On today's episode of The Protectors , Mike and Mark welcome Detective Jose Mendez of the Skokie, IL Police Department.  Detective Mendez is a 23-year veteran and is a member of the M...

It is known as the mecca for entertainment and excitement.  But if you are not careful, your luck can run out quickly in Las Vegas.  One of the largest entertainment attractions in the U.S., Las Vegas also has a criminal underbelly when it comes to fraud. On today's show, Mike and Mark welcome Las Vegas Detective Marc Evans, a 10-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dep...

Today we go live to the 2022 IAFCI Conference in Baltimore where Mark and Mike welcome back  April DeValkenaere .  April is the owner and founder of Fortress Financial Education, LLC whose focus is helping clients who have fallen victim to power-of-attorney theft, elder fraud, and other white-collar crimes.  Fortress also aids law enforcement in the investigation processes of these...

If you think that human trafficking cannot, or is not occurring in your communities, then this is the podcast you need to hear. From sex trafficking to labor trafficking, the evil of human trafficking is embedded in our communities both large and small. You may think it operates in darkness and secrecy, but chances are, many of you may encounter offenders and victims of these crimes on a...

Our next episode was recorded live on location from the IAFCI's International Conference in National Harbor, MD. Host Mark Solomon sits down with Kate Kleinert, a survivor of a romance scam who became a national champion for awareness and justice. Together with experts Kathy Stokes and Paul Greenwood, the group discusses frauds, scams, and the incredible story of a survivor of a romance scam as to...