This is the story about a Christmas con artist pretending to be Santa Claus.Brian Earl, the host of the <a href="https://christmaspastpodcast.com/">Christmas Past podcast</a>, joins me to tell a little-known true-crime holiday story. <h2>Christmas Past</h2>The seventh season of Christmas Past is out. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Brian shares the fascinating backstories behind our favorite holiday traditions. Looking for a last-minute gift idea? Buy the <a href="https://christmaspastpodcast.com/book/">Christmas Past book</a>. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

This is the story about a Christmas con artist pretending to be Santa Claus. Brian Earl, the host of the Christmas Past podcast, joins me to tell a little-known true-crime holiday story. Christmas PastThe seventh season of Christmas Past is out. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Brian shares the fascinating backstories behind our favorite holiday traditions. Looking for a last-minute gift idea? Buy the Christmas Past book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the story about a Christmas con artist pretending to be Santa Claus.Brian Earl, the host of the <a href="https://christmaspastpodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christmas Past podcast</a>, joins me to tell a little-known true-crime holiday story. Christmas PastThe seventh season of Christmas Past is out. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Brian shares the fascinating backstories behind our favorite holiday traditions. Looking for a last-minute gift idea? Buy the <a href="https://christmaspastpodcast.com/book/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christmas Past book</a>. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

S509: The Santa Claus Man Revisited

PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web.

Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons



PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling. 



Featured in lists of the best podcasts about con artists and scams, PRETEND investigates crimes of persuasion, trust, and betrayal. New episodes drop regularly with stories that reveal how manipulation shapes modern life, both online and off.



PRETEND is produced by Creative Babble, LLC. 



© 2026 Creative Babble LLC



[CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]

Society & Culture

Technology

True Crime

PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web. Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling. Featured in lists of the best podcasts about con artists and scams, PRETEND investigates crimes of persuasion, trust, and betrayal. New episodes drop regularly with stories that reveal how manipulation shapes modern life, both online and off. PRETEND is produced by Creative Babble, LLC. © 2026 Creative Babble LLC [CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]

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S509: The Santa Claus Man Revisited

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