Fraudsters

This week we’re taking a step back to Miami, 1987. South Beach is buzzing, and the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) looks like any other bank—until you take a closer look. BCCI was no ordinary financial institution. It was a global hub for money laundering, arms deals, and shady alliances with everyone from Columbian drug lords to CIA operatives. In this episode, we unravel the rise and fall of BCCI, led by Agha Hasan Abedi. From secretive offshore accounts to "rent-a-face" deals with Arab monarchs, this was a bank that did it all...until it all fell apart. Tune in now to catch the full story!

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Sources:

A Full Service Bank: How BCCI Stole Billions

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Get ready for a deep dive into America’s anti-drug propaganda! This week, we’re tackling everything from Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” crusade to McGruff the Crime Dog and the DARE program. We’re digging up the roots of these campaigns, exploring how they reshaped public perception and exposing the contradictions of Nancy’s White House role. From the scare tactics of Harry Anslinger to those unforgettable ‘80s and ‘90s PSA (“This is Your Brain on Drugs” and so much more) we break down how these campaigns blamed users while ignoring the real issues behind addiction.

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Sources for this episode:

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1987/03/06/971087.html?pageNumber=103

https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-03/science-psas-do-anti-drug-ads-keep-kids-drugs/

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/03/26/advertisings-war-drugs-also-failed/

https://www.npr.org/2013/04/28/179658317/anti-drug-psas-do-they-work

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/how-nancy-reagan-shaped-war-drugs

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1447241/

Clip Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOnENVylxPI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB4rVJsy8z8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQXgVM30mIY&t=233s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hivkBw2JKfY&t=35s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KCAGzNv_QI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSFaDeRpSHA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJcbSbpr8w4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb8z2BMrd60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFE86cyltmU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ISXS5c5Cnk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2oqCf9i3rc&t=2542s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQEG8j0lgeE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EjUzterCf4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHQQwp_MpvU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOcNXoYsnWU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnHCnGRz7i4

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/video/2024/06/11/return-dare-how-curriculum-has-changed-up-schools/

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We're not done with Reagan just yet! This week, we’re honing in on the crack epidemic and its devastating impact on Black communities. We unpack the 1980s shift in American politics, where Reagan's policies expanded Nixon's "War on Drugs" and utilized racially coded language to criminalize Black Americans. We’ve got expert guests, Yasmin Cader, Dr. Sheila Vakharia, and Professor Anne Foster on the show to talk through the anti-drug legislation that introduced harsh mandatory minimums and sentencing disparities, targeting crack cocaine users disproportionately over powdered cocaine users. Hmmm… I wonder why…. All that and we touch on the media’s role in sensationalizing the “crack epidemic,” Congress’s bipartisan support for punitive policies, and all of the devastating consequences of Reagan’s militarization of the War on Drugs.

Follow The Show:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fraudstersLPN

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Website: https://fraudsters.fm/

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Follow Our Guests:

https://x.com/alfhistory

https://www.instagram.com/myharmreduction/?hl=en

https://x.com/myharmreduction

https://www.instagram.com/yasmin_cader/?hl=en

Sources for this episode:

https://www.brown.edu/Research/Understanding_the_Iran_Contra_Affair/v-on16.php[↩︎](about:blank#fnref1)

https://millercenter.org/president/reagan/essays/reagan-1981-firstlady[↩︎](about:blank#fnref2)

https://www.newspapers.com/image/313590547/[↩︎](about:blank#fnref3)

https://www.reaganfoundation.org/ronald-reagan/nancy-reagan/her-causes/[↩︎](about:blank#fnref4)

https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/23/world/from-an-iranian-middleman-his-side-of-the-story.html[↩︎](about:blank#fnref5)

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/what-was-iran-contra[↩︎](about:blank#fnref6)

https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4475045/user-clip-neat-idea[↩︎](about:blank#fnref7)

https://theconversation.com/ronald-reagans-westminster-speech-why-it-is-still-relevant-40-years-later-183684[↩︎](about:blank#fnref8)

https://www.brown.edu/Research/Understanding_the_Iran_Contra_Affair/iran-contra-affairs.php[↩︎](about:blank#fnref9)

https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB2/storm.htm[↩︎](about:blank#fnref10)

https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/the-rise-and-fall-and-rise-and-fall-of-ricky-ross/[↩︎](about:blank#fnref11)

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This week, we’re finally taking on Reagan and his starring role in the War on Drugs—there’s so much to unpack, we had to make it a two-parter. Reagan tackled the drug problem with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, ramping up incarcerations for nonviolent offenses and turning the fight against drugs into a military operation. In part one, we dive into Iran-Contra, Regan’s "October Surprise," Oliver North’s CV, and Freeway Ricky Ross—talking about how it all helped fuel the crack epidemic of the '80s.

Follow The Show:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fraudstersLPN

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Discord: https://discord.gg/WRZ8zgusPT

Website: https://fraudsters.fm/

Follow the Hosts: https://www.instagram.com/seenanow/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/justin_williams_comedy

https://twitter.com/arielleaty

Sources for this episode:

https://www.brown.edu/Research/Understanding_the_Iran_Contra_Affair/v-on16.php[↩︎](about:blank#fnref1)

https://millercenter.org/president/reagan/essays/reagan-1981-firstlady[↩︎](about:blank#fnref2)

https://www.newspapers.com/image/313590547/[↩︎](about:blank#fnref3)

https://www.reaganfoundation.org/ronald-reagan/nancy-reagan/her-causes/[↩︎](about:blank#fnref4)

https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/23/world/from-an-iranian-middleman-his-side-of-the-story.html[↩︎](about:blank#fnref5)

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/what-was-iran-contra[↩︎](about:blank#fnref6)

https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4475045/user-clip-neat-idea[↩︎](about:blank#fnref7)

https://theconversation.com/ronald-reagans-westminster-speech-why-it-is-still-relevant-40-years-later-183684[↩︎](about:blank#fnref8)

https://www.brown.edu/Research/Understanding_the_Iran_Contra_Affair/iran-contra-affairs.php[↩︎](about:blank#fnref9)

https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB2/storm.htm[↩︎](about:blank#fnref10)

https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/the-rise-and-fall-and-rise-and-fall-of-ricky-ross/[↩︎](about:blank#fnref11)

Clip Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip-tN81yrWg&t=33s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWEm6g0iQNI&t=2506s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Km3dx7wppA&t=49s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld2KOv_zWWw&t=23s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLWcgt55sgQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct3UxB696D4&t=87s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhtE70ucKOY&t=332s

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In this episode, we’re diving deep into the art of linguistic manipulation with a profile on one of America’s most racist presidents: Richard Nixon. Last week, we covered how the war on drugs helped fuel a system of police corruption. This week, we’re looking at how Nixon used clever rhetoric and dog-whistle politics to push forward an agenda that has left a lasting impact in the US. We’re talking all things “Law and Order, ” “Southern Strategy,” and Black Capitalism. Tune in to hear how these phrases became instruments of control and deception– tools that are still in use today. It is just as horrific as it sounds!

Follow The Show: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fraudstersLPN

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fraudsterslpn/

Discord: https://discord.gg/WRZ8zgusPT

Website: https://fraudsters.fm/

Follow the Hosts: https://www.instagram.com/seenanow/?hl=en

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Check out Let’s Be Blunt with Montel Williams: www.letsbebluntmontel.com

Follow Our Guests:

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https://www.instagram.com/myharmreduction/?hl=en

https://x.com/myharmreduction

https://www.instagram.com/montel_williams/?hl=en

https://x.com/Montel_Williams

Sources for this episode:

https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2018-05/Early Years p 12-29.pdf[↩︎](about:blank#fnref1)

https://www.nixonfoundation.org/2016/06/26404/[↩︎](about:blank#fnref2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8TGLLQlD9M[↩︎](about:blank#fnref3)

https://www.vox.com/2016/3/29/11325750/nixon-war-on-drugs[↩︎](about:blank#fnref4)

https://mashable.com/article/nixon-war-on-drugs[↩︎](about:blank#fnref5)

https://harpers.org/archive/2016/04/legalize-it-all/[↩︎](about:blank#fnref6)

https://archive.org/details/4731750.1970.001.umich.edu/page/948/mode/2up[↩︎](about:blank#fnref7)

https://www.vox.com/2016/3/29/11325750/nixon-war-on-drugs[↩︎](about:blank#fnref8)

https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2018-05/Early Years p 12-29.pdf[↩︎](about:blank#fnref9)

https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/27/us/book-offers-peek-into-nixon-s-mind.html?searchResultPosition=1[↩︎](about:blank#fnref10)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/03/21/just-what-was-he-smoking/e984a758-94fc-482f-a9d7-890c30a41b5e/[↩︎](about:blank#fnref11)

Clip Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVfgKe9BPMU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8TGLLQlD9M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4yaZ01tWEU&t=64s

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This week we’re diving deep into the sick and twisted and well, corrupt underbelly of the NYPD during the 1960s and 70s. It was a simpler time when cops and criminals were one and the same. And the best part? Everyone knew about it and almost no one cared! That is until Frank Serpico came around. He was an idealistic young officer who refused to play along and take part in petty bribes, payoffs, and organized protection rackets and narcotics schemes. His desire to do the right thing is what led to the Knapp Commission and almost cost him his life. He’s not like other cops! Tune in and we’ll tell you all about it!!!

Show Notes:

Follow The Show: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fraudstersLPN

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fraudsterslpn/

Discord: https://discord.gg/WRZ8zgusPT

Website: https://fraudsters.fm/

Follow the Hosts: https://www.instagram.com/seenanow/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/justin_williams_comedy

https://twitter.com/arielleaty 

Sources for this episode: 

The Knapp Commission Report on Police Corruption

https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/25/archives/graft-paid-to-police-here-said-to-run-into-millions-survey-links.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/nyregion/24serpico.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1970/06/20/archives/how-2-policemen-decided-to-fight-graft.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1970/06/19/archives/policeman-tells-trial-of-payoffs-says-members-of-bronx-unit-got-700.html?searchResultPosition=3

https://www.nytimes.com/1971/02/20/archives/two-are-killed-in-gunfight-here-patrolman-dead-2d-hurt-drug-suspect.html?searchResultPosition=2

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9571337/Hero-detective-Frank-Serpicos-son-41-dies-apparent-drug-overdose-Manhattan-apartment.html

Clip Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSSc2Co05Og

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0skFrMe8Us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TudzmacabXo

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In this week’s episode, we bring to life a 1970 panel discussion hosted by Playboy magazine, where key figures from law enforcement, academia, medicine, and counterculture clash over cannabis. The debate features Harry Anslinger (J-L Cauvin), William Burroughs (Jim Taylor), Baba Ram Dass (Grant Gordon), John Finlator (Holden McNeely), Joel Fort (Greg Carere), Alan Watts (Ryan Feyk), Joseph Oteri (Jack Stansbury), and our Playboy Moderator (Amber Nelson). They really get into it and address claims that cannabis causes psychosis, and talk through its religious significance, the spread of drug disinformation, and so much more. Alongside segments from the original Playboy conversation, Seena, Ariel, and Justin chime in with modern commentary, turns out this decades-old debate is still extremely relevant! Turn on, tune in, drop out!!

Follow The Show:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fraudstersLPN

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Discord: https://discord.gg/WRZ8zgusPT

Website: https://fraudsters.fm/

Follow The Hosts:

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Follow Our Guests:

https://x.com/JLCauvin?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

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https://x.com/holdenators

https://www.instagram.com/ryanfeyk/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/ambersmelson/?hl=en

https://x.com/jackstansburyvo?lang=en

Sources for this episode:

https://realitystudio.org/images/bibliographic_bunker/mens_mags/pdf/1970.02.playboy.pdf

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God Bless the Child that tunes into Fraudsters this week! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the story of Billie Holiday. Using three pivotal arrests from her life, we explore how systemic racism and unjust drug enforcement left Billie Holiday as a public target amidst Harry Anslinger and George Hunter White’s war on drugs. From her traumatic childhood to struggles with addiction, Billie’s fight for survival reflected larger issues of government surveillance, a general sense of apathy towards addiction, and the harsh realities of being a Black artist during this era.

Follow The Show:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fraudstersLPN

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Discord: https://discord.gg/WRZ8zgusPT

Website: https://fraudsters.fm/

Follow the Hosts: https://www.instagram.com/seenanow/?hl=en

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https://twitter.com/arielleaty

Sources for this episode:

https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.62.7.995

https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/01/drug-war-the-hunting-of-billie-holiday-114298/

https://time.com/5638316/war-on-drugs-opium-history/

National Archives: The United States vs. Billie Holiday

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In this week’s episode, we dive deeper into the sick and twisted mind of George Hunter White. We’re talking Operation Midnight Climax and everything that led up to the CIA’s most disturbing experiments. And of course, this includes a primer on “Poisoner in Chief” Sidney Gottlieb, who also enjoyed conducting LSD experiments on unsuspecting patients. They sprayed harmful chemicals over San Francisco and dosed prisoners for months, permanently altering the lives of many, including the Unabomber. And that’s all before we even get to Operation Midnight Climax – a freaky experiment to study mind control and sex. Nothing pervy going on here…

Follow The Show:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fraudstersLPN

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Discord: https://discord.gg/WRZ8zgusPT

Website: https://fraudsters.fm/

Follow the Hosts: https://www.instagram.com/seenanow/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/justin_williams_comedy

https://twitter.com/arielleaty

Sources for this episode:

A Terrible Mistake: The Murder of Frank Olsen by HP Albarelli

CIA's Secret Cold War Experiments, Drugs as Weapons Against Us by John Potash

Acid Dreams The Complete Social History of LSD by Martin Lee and Bruce Shlain

Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari

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In this week’s episode, we’re talking all things George Hunter White – an agent at the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and a monster! Maybe the two are synonymous… He infiltrated drug syndicates, tested truth serums, and eventually found his passion venturing into mind control and interrogation techniques for the government. We’ll get into the twists and turns of George Hunter White’s life – from being a crime-chasing journalist to a narcotics agent to an OSS trainer, to coming to terms with the fact that he wasn’t a Chinese man, this guy’s lived a life and done some horrible things along the way!

Follow The Show:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fraudstersLPN

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Discord: https://discord.gg/WRZ8zgusPT

Website: https://fraudsters.fm/

Follow the Hosts: https://www.instagram.com/seenanow/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/justin_williams_comedy

https://twitter.com/arielleaty

Sources for this episode:

A Terrible Mistake: The Murder of Frank Olsen by HP Albarelli

CIA's Secret Cold War Experiments, Drugs as Weapons Against Us by John Potash

Acid Dreams The Complete Social History of LSD by Martin Lee and Bruce Shlain

Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari

Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes.