The Shoebox in the Crawl Space: He Knew, But Couldn't Stop

Imagine finding a shoebox in a crawl space, filled with military photos, a love letter, and wire transfer confirmations totaling $63,800. This wasn't a random discovery; it was hidden by Clifford Simpson, a man who knew he was being scammed but couldn't stop. What drove him to hide the evidence of his own financial ruin?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Clifford Simpson, a parts coordinator who lost his wife to cancer and found himself targeted by a sophisticated romance scam. We explore the meticulous operation that exploited his grief and led him to transfer tens of thousands of dollars, despite his own suspicions.

Person: Clifford Simpson
Date: February 2019
Location: Vesper Mill Road, North Carolina
Amount: $63,800
Crime: Romance scam

- April Patterson found a shoebox containing photographs, a letter, and wire transfer confirmations.
- Clifford Simpson, a 48-year-old parts coordinator, had hidden the shoebox himself.
- The scam connected Clifford to five other victims and involved a man in a silver Ford pickup truck.
- Clifford transferred $63,800 over seventeen months, in amounts designed to avoid detection.
- The scammer, posing as "Sandra Hollis," communicated with Clifford for five months before the first financial request.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

He Stood in Freezing Water, Wiring $6,000 to Nobody

Imagine standing in freezing water, terrified of dropping your phone as you wire $6,000 to someone who doesn't exist. This isn't a story about gullibility, but a sophisticated romance scam designed to defeat skepticism. How did a careful, methodical man end up in such a predicament?

In this episode, we uncover the elaborate deception that led George Andrews, a skeptical insurance claims processor, to fall victim to a romance scam. We explore the meticulous construction of a fake identity and the psychological tactics used to build trust, even with someone known for their caution.

Person: George Andrews
Date: January 9th
Location: Tanner Slough, Louisiana
Amount: $6,000
App: Meridian Connect

- Michael Harris, a retired postal worker, found a man standing waist-deep in 40-degree water at 7:15 AM.
- The man in the water was wiring $6,000 to a non-existent person, holding his phone overhead to protect it.
- George Andrews, a 32-year-old insurance claims processor, was described as "the most skeptical person" his sister knew.
- The scammer used pre-recorded video clips of a personal trainer, Kevin Aldridge, from YouTube, synchronized with a live audio feed.
- The fraud detection system of the Meridian Connect app flagged the scammer's account in November, but it was not suspended before the first video call.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

She Trusted an AI Voice—Then Lost $63,000

Imagine losing $63,000 over nine months to a voice you heard every morning, a voice that never stumbled or had a bad day. This isn't just one woman's loss; it's a specific, engineered method of romantic scam that has been running for at least seven years across four states. What happens when the very skill you've honed for decades becomes your greatest vulnerability?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Kimberly Mason, a 52-year-old ESL teacher from Pelham, North Carolina, whose life savings were stolen by an AI voice. We explore how a seemingly careful and organized individual, professionally trained to discern truth in spoken words, fell victim to a sophisticated scam that exploited her unique abilities.

Person: Kimberly Mason
Location: Hawthorn Glen, Pelham, North Carolina
Date: December 9, 2023
Amount: $63,000
Duration: Nine months

- A 14-year-old boy, Marvin Meyer, discovered an open laptop on a porch at 5:40 AM on December 9, 2023.
- The laptop screen displayed a message addressed to "Kim," pleading about a studio lease and students.
- Kimberly Mason, a 52-year-old ESL teacher, had taught English for 22 years, mostly in Pelham.
- She was contacted in January 2023 by "Charles Boyd," a civil engineer from Singapore, for tutoring.
- The voice of "Charles Boyd" was consistently warm, precise, and present over eleven months of calls.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Shadow Box, The Sergeant, and The Scripted Heartbreak

Imagine finding a pristine shadow box with a Purple Heart on a deserted road, with no footprints around it. This impossible discovery was the first clue in a four-year romance scam that ensnared forty-one lives. How did a simple object lead investigators to a handwritten ledger of trauma vocabulary and scripted dialogue?

In this episode, we uncover the elaborate deception that began with a seemingly innocent online connection. We follow the story of Teresa Myers, a widowed nurse, and her encounter with a man claiming to be a retired Army sergeant, revealing how a meticulously crafted "credibility cycle" was used to exploit trust.

Person: Kimberly Patterson
Date: November 2017
Location: Maulden, Indiana
Object: Shadow box
Victim: Teresa Myers

- A county grader operator found a shadow box containing a Purple Heart medal on a service road in November 2017.
- The shadow box was found in pristine condition, with an unbroken glass and unscuffed velvet lining.
- The scam ran for four years, affecting forty-one lives across six platforms.
- Teresa Myers, a licensed practical nurse for eleven years, joined an online forum for military families in March 2017.
- The first request for money from "Ronald Wright" was for $800, which was later returned to establish trust.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Permit Man: He Stole $103,000 and a Life

Imagine losing $103,000 to a romantic scam, only to discover the "permit man" who orchestrated it was arrested two weeks before the package you were waiting for was even found. This is a story of professional expertise twisted into a devastating romantic fraud. How did a fabricated identity dissolve the moment a friend spent two hours on a laptop?

In this episode, we uncover the intricate details of a romantic scam that cost Jeffrey Simmons his inheritance and his peace of mind. We explore how a seemingly legitimate professional connection led to a significant financial loss and the unraveling of a carefully constructed deception.

Person: Jeffrey Simmons
Amount Lost: $103,000
Date of Inheritance: April 2017
Museum: Maret Regional Museum
Location: Haverford

- A box containing "Pre-Columbian ceramic figures" was found in a museum basement 14 months after it was sent.
- Jeffrey Simmons, an assistant curator, inherited $114,000 in April 2017.
- He wired $18,000 to a London bank account for "export permits" in January 2018.
- The scammer, "Russell Owens," used a stolen photograph of Stephen Ward, a lecturer at the University of Leeds.
- The permits, initially promised in six weeks, took eleven, with Russell sending frequent updates about delays.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Empty House on Bellmont Road: A Scam's Blueprint

Imagine finding an envelope addressed to no one, containing a medical bill for a child who doesn't exist, only to discover it's linked to a romance scam that has already cost someone thousands. How could a meticulously crafted deception target a woman who thought she was careful?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling details of a romance scam that began with a dating app match and escalated into a significant financial loss. We explore how a scammer meticulously researched his victim, exploiting her routine and personal history to build a believable, yet entirely fabricated, persona.

Date: September 3, 2019
Victim: Karen Rafferty
Scammer's Alias: Bruce Wells
Scammer's Real Name: Clifton Maher
Location: Bellmont Road

- Judith Gardner found a white envelope on Karen Rafferty's mailbox at 5:50 AM.
- The envelope contained a patient account statement for "Lily Wells, age nine," with a balance due of $12,000.
- Karen Rafferty had already sent $11,000 to the scammer.
- Clifton Maher researched Karen for three weeks, finding her address, school, and bowling team results.
- The photograph used for Bruce Wells was of Scott Brewer, a diesel mechanic who was unaware his image was being used.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Rose in the Utility Corridor: He Studied Her Soul

Imagine discovering a single red rose and a page of Italian text in a utility corridor you've opened hundreds of times. This isn't a random act; it's the physical wreckage of a sophisticated romantic scam built on a meticulous study of one young woman's life. What kind of deception takes three years to prepare for a single target?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling details of a scheme that began with a seemingly innocent online connection. We explore how a food blogger's aspirations were exploited by a man who spent years crafting a fake persona, using stolen identities and translated writings to gain her trust.

Discovery Date: August 14, 2019
Location: Building C, Kellerton Pines
Victim: Crystal Moore, 22
Deceiver's Real Identity: Patrick Gruen
Deceiver's Fake Identity: Thomas Walcott

- Meter reader Debra Collins found a fresh red rose and a folded page of Italian text in a utility corridor she had serviced for eleven years.
- Crystal Moore, a 22-year-old food blogger, had 26,000 followers on her Instagram account, "Plate by Plate."
- The fake online persona, @romecriticTW, used the face of Patrick Gruen, a civil engineer from Minneapolis.
- The impressive food reviews sent to Crystal were actually written by Marco Sereni, an Italian food journalist who had died seven years prior.
- Crystal sent Thomas Walcott $400 in late June 2019, followed by a second request for dental work in July.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Coast Guard ID That Unraveled a Perfect Love Story

Imagine finding a laminated federal ID for a Coast Guard petty officer named Dale Barnes, only to discover that Dale Barnes doesn't exist. This single piece of plastic, found face-down in the mud, was the key to unraveling an 18-month romantic scam that drained the savings, car loan, and credit cards of a 38-year-old science teacher named Michael Griffin. How could a man fall deeply in love with someone he'd never met, only to lose everything?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Michael Griffin, a predictable and dedicated teacher in Kellerton, North Carolina, whose life was upended by a sophisticated online romance scam. We explore the meticulous methods used to ensnare him, from a coastal heritage photography Facebook group to daily voice messages, and the profound question Michael asked after the arrest: was any of it real?

Person: Michael Griffin
Age: 38 years old
Location: Kellerton, North Carolina
Occupation: Science teacher
Time Period: 18 months

- An ID for "Dale Barnes" was found face-down in the mud by a church donation box in Briar Point, North Carolina.
- Michael Griffin had been in love with a man he never met in person for a year and a half.
- The scam led to losses from Michael's savings account, car loan, and credit cards.
- Michael joined a Facebook group for coastal heritage photography in late 2017.
- The first video call between Michael and "Barnes" lasted only 4 minutes and 20 seconds.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Valentine's Card: He Knew Her Cedar Post

Imagine finding a Valentine's card on a remote trail, perfectly dry despite three days of rain, with a message meant for someone else. This seemingly romantic discovery was actually a calculated step in a sophisticated romance scam, designed to ensnare a woman navigating a new chapter in her life. How did a simple card become a key piece of evidence in a case of elder financial exploitation?

In this episode, we uncover the intricate details of how Leonard Garth Berry orchestrated a long-con, targeting Ruth Vickers, a recently divorced 61-year-old woman seeking connection. We explore the methods he used to gain her trust, from a fake identity to a carefully crafted script, and how a seemingly innocuous detail like a cedar post in her yard played a crucial role.

Person: Ruth Vickers
Age: 61
Location: Grover Mills, Dennard County, Tennessee
Crime: Wire fraud, elder financial exploitation, identity fraud
Year: 2022

- A Valentine's Day card was found wedged between roots on the Melvin Reed trail, 40 feet from a seasonal creek.
- Ruth Vickers retired in spring 2020 after 31 years as an administrative coordinator.
- Leonard Garth Berry, posing as Leon Berry, was 58 years old and claimed to be a grief counselor from Portland, Oregon.
- Berry used a photograph of Paul Ridout, a retired schoolteacher from Spokane, Washington, without his knowledge.
- Ruth Vickers transferred thirty-eight thousand dollars to an investment platform mentioned by Berry.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].

The Chekhov Book: He Wrote Her Name Before I Love You

Imagine finding a book sealed underwater, perfectly dry, with a name pressed into its cover-a name that belongs to a woman about to fall victim to a sophisticated online romance scam. This isn't just a story of deception; it's a meticulously planned operation that began long before the first "I love you" was ever typed. How did a rare-books forum become the hunting ground for a predator, and what chilling details reveal the depth of his premeditation?

In this episode, we delve into the story of Cheryl Myers, a dedicated bookstore manager who saved diligently and found connection in an online rare-books forum. We explore how a seemingly genuine correspondence with a user named VintageVaughn escalated into a deep emotional bond, leading her to make a devastating financial decision.

Person: Cheryl Myers
Date: May 9, 2022
Location: Dunnfield, Callasee County
Status: Victim of romance scam
Amount lost: $28,000

- Jason Norris found a Chekhov book sealed in two zip-lock bags, eighteen inches underwater in the Callasee River.
- Cheryl Myers, 24, had saved $31,000 from her bookstore salary.
- She joined an online rare-books forum in October 2021, where she met "VintageVaughn."
- "Steven Vaughn" (not his real name) told Cheryl he loved her by December 2021, six weeks after their first contact.
- Cheryl wired $28,000 on March 14, 2022, for a supposed rare book collection in Lisbon.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].