IAFCI Presents... The Protectors

This week on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with Susan Sommerville, an Enrolled Agent whose work led her into a heartbreaking case of financial exploitation. Sue’s story is a powerful reminder that fraud doesn’t always start with a suspicious email or a bad investment — sometimes it begins with loneliness, trust, and the hope of finding love again.

On this episode, we look at how romance scams devastate victims, how professionals can spot the warning signs, and why protecting yourself and others often starts with simply paying attention.

The Protectors Podcast - Helping You Spot the Red Flags

Sue Sommerville LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-sommerville-2ab1549b/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Romance scams are among the most personal and devastating forms of fraud - because the criminal isn’t just after money. They’re after trust.

In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with two powerful voices on the front lines of this issue. Kate Kleinert shares how she went from victim to advocate after experiencing a romance scam firsthand. Cassandra Dessureau-O'Hara, a licensed therapist with years of experience working with cases like this, brings insight into the emotional manipulation, victim impact, and warning signs families should understand.

This episode is about more than red flags. It’s about recovery, resilience, and what happens when victims find their voice.

The Protectors Podcast - Where Trust Meets the Truth.

Cassandra Dessureau-O'Hara: https://www.mjabehavioralhealthandwellness.com/cassandra-dessureau-ohara-lpc

Kate Kleinert LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-kleinert-ofs-77a3a85/

AARP: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

This week on The Protectors Podcast, Mark and Mike are joined by Rudy Meola, a leading voice in the world of auto title fraud. From sophisticated vehicle fraud schemes impacting banks and lenders to everyday consumers being misled in private sales, the risks are growing fast. Rudy breaks down how these scams work, who’s being targeted, and why they’re becoming more common. He also shares key red flags and practical tips to help protect both industry professionals and the public. If you’ve ever bought, sold, or financed a vehicle, this is one you don’t want to miss.

The Protectors Podcast - Where Fraud Meets Its Match.

Rudy Meola LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudy-meola-24432343

Meola Law: https://www.meolalaw.com/our-team/

NMVTIS: https://www.aamva.org/technology/systems/vehicle-systems/nmvtis

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

On today’s episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with Shawn Loveland to uncover one of the most dangerous risks facing organizations today—insider threats. From trusted employees to “trusted bad actors,” Shawn breaks down how threats from within are costing companies billions every year and why they’re often the hardest to detect. From dark web investigations to uncovering hidden digital footprints, this episode pulls back the curtain on a threat most people never see coming.

Shawn Loveland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-loveland

Resecurity: https://www.resecurity.com/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing the world, it’s changing how fraud works. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark sit down with Connor Heaton, Program Manager at CivAI, to explore how AI is already being used to power the next generation of scams, deepfakes, and highly personalized social engineering attacks.

From voice cloning and video deepfakes to AI-generated phishing campaigns that eliminate traditional red flags, Connor breaks down how quickly the threat landscape is evolving - and why many of the warning signs we’ve relied on for years are disappearing. We also dive into where these tools are coming from, who is most at risk right now, and what individuals, financial institutions, and law enforcement can do to stay ahead.

This isn’t a conversation about the future. It’s happening right now. And the question is no longer if AI will impact fraud, it’s how prepared are we when it does.

The Protectors Podcast - Protection From the Frauds You Never See Coming.

Connor Heaton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorheaton/

CivAI Website: https://civai.org/

Google: "AI Misuse/Threat Reports"

Links to the latest Misuse Reports:

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

March Madness brings more than buzzer-beaters and busted brackets — it’s also one of the biggest sports betting moments of the year. In this episode of The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark welcome back Dr. Declan Hill, a leading researcher and author who has spent years studying the global sports betting industry, for a follow-up conversation about the forces shaping modern wagering. From the rise of micro-betting to the reality of frictionless gambling on our phones, Declan explains how technology and massive betting markets are changing the landscape of sports faster than most fans realize. As March Madness captures the nation’s attention, this conversation is more relevant than ever.

The Protectors Podcast - Protection From the Frauds You Never See Coming.

Dr. Declan Hill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declanhill/

Dr. Declan Hill - Substack: https://declanhill.substack.com/?utm_source=discover_search

Crime Waves Podcast: https://www.crimewavespodcast.com/home

Gamblers Anonymous: https://gamblersanonymous.org/

National Problem Gambling Helpline: https://www.ncpgambling.org

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

This episode of The Protectors Podcast is a tough one. Today, Mike and Mark welcome back Bernie — a past guest who bravely shared how he was targeted in a romance scam. Now he’s back… because it happened again. How does this happen twice, and why do these schemes succeed — even when we believe we’re smarter than the last attempt?

Also joining us is licensed professional counselor Cassandra O’Hara, who helps break down the psychological side of romance fraud — why it’s so powerful, how manipulation works, and what Bernie — and anyone listening — can do moving forward. Because romance scams aren’t about being foolish. They’re about being human.

The Protectors Podcast - Helping You Spot the Scam Before It Starts.

Cassandra Dessureau-O'Hara: https://www.mjabehavioralhealthandwellness.com/cassandra-dessureau-ohara-lpc

IC3.gov: https://www.ic3.gov/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• IAFCI
• University of Bridge
• Sacred Heart University
• National Board of Certified Counselors
• American Counseling Association
• Connecticut Counseling Association

On this episode of The Protectors Podcast, hosts Mike and Mark welcome back Kelly Gowe, whose mother was the victim of a devastating romance scam that ended in tragedy. Since her last appearance, Kelly, working with members of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, has uncovered critical details that were previously missed. Her pursuit of truth has not only advanced her mother’s case but also led her to found a foundation dedicated to preventing romance scams and supporting victims. Kelly is launching her new podcast, Girl with a Microphone, which documents her journey into what she describes as real crime in real time. This conversation is about resilience, accountability, and refusing to let the truth stay buried.

4041 Foundation: https://4041foundation.org/

IC3.gov: https://www.ic3.gov/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

Today on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark welcome back one of their most compelling guests — Dr. Declan Hill of the University of New Haven. A world-leading expert on sports gambling, match-fixing, and organized crime in athletics, Declan joins us to break down how legal betting, corporate media, and underground networks are colliding in ways most fans never see. If you love sports, this conversation will change how you watch the game.

The Protectors Podcast - Real Investigators. Real Crimes. Real Protection.

Dr. Declan Hill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declanhill/

Dr. Declan Hill - Substack: https://declanhill.substack.com/?utm_source=discover_search

Crime Waves Podcast: https://www.crimewavespodcast.com/home

Gamblers Anonymous: https://gamblersanonymous.org/

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]

This week on The Protectors Podcast, Mike and Mark are joined by Kathy Stokes, AARP’s national fraud prevention authority, for a powerful look at the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center (NEFCC) — a groundbreaking program uniting law enforcement agencies nationwide to track, connect, and prosecute complex elder fraud cases. Kathy reveals how coordinated intelligence is leading to real arrests and real prison time - and shares AARP’s scam defense methods designed to keep Americans protected. Tune in — because if this information doesn’t protect you, it may protect someone you love.

The Protectors Podcast - Protection For You and Those You Love.

Kathy Stokes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-stokes/

National Elder Fraud Coordination Center: https://www.fightelderfraud.org/

Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/

Pause, Reflect, Protect: Remember These Steps!

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IAFCI Website: https://iafci.org/

Phone: 916-939-5000

Advertising Opportunities and Guest Appearance: [email protected]