What happens when a true crime lover, travel industry insider, and ethical researcher combine forces? You get Vacations Can Be Murder - and in this episode, you’ll learn how it all came to life.

Kelly sits down with journalist and author Dawn Barclay, whose latest book blends dark tourism with meticulous storytelling. From haunted hotels to infamous gravesites and real crime scenes across New England, Dawn unpacks how she curates travel experiences rooted in true crime - without sensationalizing or crossing ethical lines.

In this episode, fraud pros will take away:

• How to responsibly research and present sensitive crime content
• Why victim resources are essential in true crime narratives
• The fine line between educational curiosity and exploitation
• Real-life case stories that influenced Barkley’s writing
• Insights into balancing public interest with privacy and respect

Plus, get a sneak peek into her upcoming regional guides, and why interest in dark tourism is growing.

If you're fascinated by the intersection of ethics, storytelling, and criminal history, this one’s for you.

Get Dawn’s Book: https://vacationscanbemurder.weebly.com/

Subscribe to her Substack https://barrsinister.substack.com/

Connect with Dawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbarclay/

Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnbarclayink.com/

http://www.dmbarr.com/

https://murderpedia.org/

https://www.sistersincrime.org/

https://jodemillman.com/

https://mysterywriters.org/

How do fraudsters convince people to hand over their life savings? And why do so many scams go undetected until it’s too late?

In this episode of Fraudish, we dive into the dark world of investment fraud with Stephen Kirk, Chief Internal Auditor for the Illinois Department of Transportation and author of A Betrayal of Trust. Steven has spent years unraveling Ponzi schemes, asset pooling scams, and securities fraud - cases where victims often lose everything. Stephen formerly led a team of compliance auditors for the Securities Department when he uncovered the frauds discussed in this episode.  

He shares the red flags every investor should know, the ethical dilemmas in financial crime, and how compliance loopholes allow fraud to thrive. Plus, we get a glimpse into his upcoming books and how writing helps him process the emotional toll of his work.

If you want to protect yourself from financial fraud, this episode is a must-listen.

Connect with Stephen

Betrayal of Trust book

https://brokercheck.finra.org/

Yellowbook CPE

This week, Kelly sits down with Dana Timmerman, a seasoned private investigator and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) expert, to explore the critical thinking skills behind fraud investigations. Dana dives into cases and how deep social media and asset analysis can expose deception. He shares his personal journey into the world of investigations - fueled by a life-changing experience searching for his daughter. From ethical dilemmas to bias awareness, Dana breaks down the mindset investigators need to navigate complex cases. He also discusses the growing role of AI in OSINT and draws on insights from experts to refine investigative techniques.

🔎 Connect with Dana: LinkedIn

https://www.skopenow.com/news/the-lego-method?

What if the word “whistleblower” conjured up something more powerful than a piercing whistle?
This week’s guest thinks it should—and she’s leading the charge to reframe what it really means to blow the whistle.

In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly speaks with Jackie Garrick, founder of Whistleblowers of America and author of Be a Giraffe. Jackie opens up about her own experience as a whistleblower and what it takes to stand tall in the face of retaliation. She shares the emotional toll of speaking out, the ethical gray areas whistleblowers often navigate, and why mental health support and community are critical pieces of the puzzle.

From finding legal representation to shifting public perception, Jackie is on a mission to make sure whistleblowers aren’t just heard—but understood.

Connect with Jackie and her work:
🔗 Whistleblowers of America
📘 Be a Giraffe
🎥 YouTube Channel
🏢 Workplace Promise Institute
📅 WPI Conference Info

In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly sits down with Doug Cash, a seasoned forensic accountant and fraud investigator at EideBailly LLP, to explore the ins and outs of catching financial criminals. From his early days in law enforcement to handling complex embezzlement cases in the private sector, Doug shares the twists and turns of a career built on exposing the truth.

You’ll hear:

💼 Doug’s path from cop to CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)
 🔍 The emotional and ethical weight of fraud investigations
 🛡️ Why internal controls are everything
📚 The difference between forensic accounting and traditional auditing
🚓 How law enforcement and private sector investigators can work together (or not!)
🎥 Plus: some of Doug’s favorite fraud-related films and TV shows

This episode is packed with practical advice for current and aspiring fraud fighters, as well as anyone curious about what really goes into cracking financial crimes.

Links & Resources:

🔗 Connect with Doug: LinkedIn
🏢 Learn more about EideBailly: eidebailly.com
🎬 Fraud-ish Film Picks:

• Liar Liar – IMDb
• The Cable Guy – IMDb
• Inventing Anna – IMDb
• Ferris Bueller's Day Off – IMDb

Do you have a personal brand? Yes, you. Yes... even investigators need brands! Luckily Kate Marston is on to help investigators develop their brands and get creative with their investigative careers.
Key points discussed:
The importance of branding for investigators
Kate's career trajextory from the Metropolitan Police to Burberry (yes, like the jackets!)
The need for proper training in investigations, especially for HR professionals
The value of creativity and context in investigative work
The impact of investigations on investigators' mental health

Listen up for some creativity filled advice for investigators and fraud fighters!

Connect with Kate on Linkedin

Line of Duty (TV Series 2012–2021) ⭐ 8.7 | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Happy Valley (TV Series 2014–2023) ⭐ 8.5 | Crime, Drama, Thriller

Do No Harm: A Skilled Surgeon Makes the Best Murderer . . . https://g.co/kgs/g17ywUW

In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly sits down with Mark O'Riordan, a seasoned polygraph examiner with a background in federal law enforcement and corporate investigations. Mark pulls back the curtain on the mechanics and psychology of polygraph tests, separating fact from fiction and breaking down what really constitutes a lie.

From working with at-risk youth to serving in the Secret Service and eventually launching his own investigative firm, Mark shares his fascinating career journey. He also discusses the emotional challenges of handling crimes against children, the critical role of resilience in law enforcement, and why following instructions is key to a successful polygraph exam.

If you're curious about interrogation techniques, the realities of polygraph testing, and how pop culture has shaped public perception, this episode is packed with expert insights.

🔗 Connect with Mark:
LinkedIn | New Mountain Investigations

In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly interviews Everett Stern, an anti-money laundering compliance officer and whistleblower who exposed HSBC Bank's intentional money laundering practices benefiting terrorists and drug cartels. Stern shares his experiences in the financial industry, his journey as a whistleblower, the immense personal and professional challenges he faced, and his ongoing efforts to combat corruption through his companies Tactical Rabbit and Stern Cybersecurity. They also touch on the broader implications of financial crime, the role of ethics, and the support provided by organizations like Whistleblowers of America.

Everett's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/everettstern/

Links:

Dirty Money Doc

Whistleblowers of America Podcast

https://www.whistleblowersofamerica.org/

https://tacticalrabbit.com/

https://everettstern.com/

Dark Money and Private Spies

Bankers Too Big to Jail Piece

In this special episode of Fraudish, I sit down with two experts in investigative interviewing—Mark Anderson, founder of Anderson Investigative Associates, and Colton Seale, a seasoned investigator with a background in counterterrorism and the FBI. Together, we explore the art and science of effective interviews, uncovering how creativity and psychology play a crucial role in uncovering the truth.

Colton shares a gripping case from his time at the FBI, where an unconventional approach helped crack a kidnapping case in Nigeria. Mark emphasizes the power of empathy in interviews, explaining how genuine human connection can be the key to getting truthful responses. We also break down the importance of cognitive interviewing, behavioral science, and the strategies that separate great investigators from the rest.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Why creativity is essential in investigations—and how to cultivate it.
• How cognitive interviewing enhances memory recall and improves case outcomes.
• The psychology behind successful interviews: building trust, reading behavior, and asking the right questions.
• Tactical strategies for professionals looking to improve their investigative skills.

Whether you're new to investigative work or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights that will refine your approach to interviewing and fraud detection.

🔗 Connect with Mark Anderson: LinkedIn | Website
🔗 Connect with Colton Seale: LinkedIn | Pyxis Academy

This week on Fraudish, host Kelly is joined by James Rumph, a forensic accountant and fraud consultant at Schneider Downs, for a deep dive into the world of fraud prevention. James shares his unique career journey, from earning multiple fraud-related degrees to working with the FBI, and offers expert insights into the evolving field of fraud detection and ethics.

They explore:

• How behavioral science shapes fraud prevention strategies.
• The importance of skepticism and thorough testing in combating fraud.
• Controversial cases, including Dan Ariely and research fraud.
• Why valid behavioral research remains critical to fighting fraud effectively.

Tune in for practical advice and thought-provoking discussions on how professionals can stay ahead in an ever-changing field. Don’t miss this episode full of actionable insights and fascinating case studies!
Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrumph/