PRETEND

Hidden within the Pentagon's vast maze, Ana Montes expertly spun her web of secrets for Cuba. Yet, as with all intricate schemes, the threads began to loosen. Over 17 covert years, her dance with deception went unnoticed, but even the best-laid plots have their breaking point. Venture with us into the moment it all came undone.

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You've probably never heard the name Ana Montes because the FBI arrested her just ten days after 9/11. "Ana Montes, I believe, was one of the most dangerous American spies, period. And I would argue, the most dangerous female spy." - Jim Popkin is a long-time journalist and author of "Codename Blue Wren," the story of Ana Montes, the Cuban Spy.

Ana Belen Montes spied on the US for Cuba for 17 years. Find out what made her so dangerous and how she spied on the Cubans from within the US intelligence community.

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Virginia Morris, a retired real estate agent from Houston, Texas, doesn't want me to use her real name. She claims Frank Abagnale scammed her out of $20,000 through a bogus investment scheme. Virginia spent years suing Abagnale, trying to recover her money. However, she was unsuccessful. Abagnale ignored the court summons and failed to appear in court.

So, Virginia did what anyone who lost more than $20,000 would do. She showed up at one of Frank Abagnale's speaking events and confronted him.

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Frank is Back!

This update episode is loaded with new allegations and never-before-told capers. Like the time Frank Abagnale:

Frank Abagnale is getting national attention. Just this month, the New York Post published an article citing an 87-page file of old newspaper clippings, court documents, and letters — from airlines, university officials, government sources, and others. Here's a link to the article written by Abby Ellin.

We end the episode with a song inspired by my 'Real Catch Me If You Can' Series.

STR8 DAD VIBES by KENDONTCRY

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PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia.

It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.

To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct

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In today's episode, we will talk about how to treat perpetrators of Munchausen by Proxy—if that's even possible. And also, what happens when you suspect a mother of abuse? Should you report it? And what happens if you get it wrong? We're going to get into it all of this. Plus, we'll talk about Hope Ybarra's downfall. 

Munchausen Support:

https://www.munchausensupport.com/resources/

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In today's episode, we'll discuss Munchausen by Proxy and how to identify it. And I'm not talking about scandalous stories like the ones you've seen on TV. In fact, we will focus on the less popular cases to show you that this form of abuse is far more common than we even realized. You may know someone who is a victim of Munchausen by proxy and not even realizes it.

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PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. 

It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.

To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to [email protected] or visit  https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and  https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct

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Just when you thought this case couldn't get any crazier.

The night before the arraignment, Dr. Gressman's former patient, "Chelsea," starts badgering my followers on Instagram. The tone of her texts are eerily similar to the stalker. 

Then, Tanya goes on Facebook and makes a surprise announcement. To almost all of her friends' shock and surprise, she announced a new addition. Yes, you read correctly. The night before her court appearance, she let everyone know she was the mother of a brand new baby girl. Where did this child come from? 

Take a listen for yourself and keep the comments coming. 

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Note: Tune in to the end of the episode for some breaking news on this case.

This series started as a whodunit about a menacing cyberstalker. But in reality, it turned into something else... something far more disturbing. We may all be witnessing medical child abuse in real-time. Munchausen by proxy is a disorder in which a caregiver intentionally causes or exaggerates the medical symptoms of someone in their care to seek attention or sympathy.

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PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. 

It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.

To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to [email protected] or visit  https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and  https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct

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In this week's episode, we investigate who may be responsible for the harassing messages sent to the Rodriguez family. The postal inspector and the detectives assigned to the case have their sights set on the oldest daughter, Logan, but at this time, there are no official suspects, and no one has been charged.

One thing we can say for sure is that there is no evidence that Dr. Gressman or the husband is involved in any way. Whoever is behind these messages is someone living inside the Rodriguez family's house.

It's also worth noting that the Instagram accounts used by the stalker were created using the Rodriguez's IP address and were created before their disabled adult daughter, Chelsea, ever became a patient of Dr. Gressman. With seven people living in that house, there are six possible suspects. In today's episode, we'll be narrowing it down to two.

This podcast contains explicit language and mature content that may not be suitable for children.

Patreon

Listen to the entire season. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.

Support PRETEND on Patreon

PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast

Binge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the show

Subscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast

Follow Pretend on social media:

Twitter

TikTok

YouTube

PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. 

It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & Netflix.

To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to [email protected] or visit  https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and  https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct

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As the investigation into the cyberstalking of the Rodriguez family continues, new information has come to light about the possible culprit. To uncover potential leads, an ethical hacker was brought on to investigate all parties involved in the case, including the alleged stalker, Dr. Grace Gressman, and her husband, John. After a thorough search, it was determined that both the doctor and her husband had no unusual internet activity and were unlikely to be the stalker.

However, when the hacker turned their attention to the Rodriguez family, they found something curious. Logan, the oldest adult child of Claudia and David Rodriguez, had 5 active devices. Mishaal Khan, a cyber-security expert, says, "While it may be normal for someone of Logan's age to have multiple devices, it is unusual for someone to have so many." Naturally, this raised some suspicions, but no concrete evidence was found to pinpoint a suspect.

At this point, it is clear that John Gressman cannot be the stalker. But with the investigation at a standstill, questions remain about who is behind the threatening messages. Is it possible that Claudia is orchestrating the Stalking herself to gain attention? Could it be her husband, David, or one of their adult children? These questions will be explored in today's episode as the PRETEND host interviews Logan to learn more about her multiple devices.

Patreon

Listen to the first 10 episodes. Plus...Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.

Support PRETEND on Patreon

PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast

Binge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn't make it on the show

Subscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast

Follow Pretend on social media:

Twitter

TikTok

YouTube

PRETEND is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. 

It has been featured in the New York Times, the BBC, & New York Magazine.

To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to [email protected] or visit  https://www.advertisecast.com/Pretend  and  https://www.advertisecast.com/CriminalConduct

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