Scam Kings

The McDonald's scam documentary,  "McMillions" (HBO, 2020) would be the first time that many would hear the name Jerome Jacobson. Having snuffed just around $24 million from under their noses, one would think that more would have been known about one of the biggest scams of the century. This week we reexplore how Jerome Jacobson got away with the biggest con at the turn of the century. We revisit this episode as part of the Scam Kings refix. 

Song of the Week: "Ice and Fire" by King Canyon (YouTube Library, 2022)

No One: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom...."

Vaughn Reeves: "With a few minor changes...that Bible could be SPITTIN'"

Press PLAY to hear of another instance where someone uses faith to fulfill their selfish means even when it means hurting others.

Theme Song: Dreams Become Real (Kevin McLeod)

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Elizabeth Holmes was on the edge of something revolutionary. She had come up with a machine that could diagnose patients through a singular drop of blood. She excited the medical world with the idea of the contraption, getting them to invest millions of dollars into what would be the future of blood testing. Except, The Edison didn't exist. Click PLAY to hear how Elizabeth Holmes dashed the hopes of everyone everywhere by selling a top dollar facade for over a decade.

Theme Song: Dreams Come True (Kevin Mc Leod)

Mother and son, Vance and Rosie Baker ran a Medicare scheme disguised as a home health care service for just over a decade when one of their contractors came knocking. But it would be one of their own that would help sink the entire operation in what would eventually result in his murder. Click PLAY to hear how this deadly duo cut out the middle man.

THEME SONG: Dreams Become Real (Kevin McLeod)

On this episode, we visit a classic tale with a message. There is nothing more scammy than a bad boss who refuses to pay you for your work. Dickens wrote a story that tried steering society away from that thinking through 'A Christmas Carol'. And while we may not always take the hint, it's an enjoyable classic to revisit every year. Click Play on the final episode of 2021 and sit back to enjoy this classic. 

Music:

Dreams Become Real - Kevin McLeod

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - Kevin McLeod

If you were in the appliance business at the time, the Petters Group was one of those names that you just couldn't escape in the late 90s, early 2000s. They were involved with brands that everyone wanted to get their hands on...and for cheap. But it was more guns than roses at this business as what seemed to be an empire was actually a crumbling sandcastle. Except no one told the king. Click Play to hear the story of Tom Petters and how his business came crashing down around him without a warning shot. 

Interview with Tom Petters - https://tcbmag.com/the-tom-petters-interview-plausible-deniability/

Theme: Dreams Become Real - Kevin McLeod

The Israel family is one of New York's most well known empires. Coffee trading skyrocketed their linage to prominence in the 20th century and, to some extent, they are still there. Although now, there is definitely a duality to their fame. Click Play to hear about Sam Israel III who relaunched his family into the spotlight. This time, infamously. 

Bring your plates over for a slice of one of the hottest throwback cases in modern scamming history. Martha Stewart established herself as the Queen of Kitchens very early on with her many book releases, television shows, and deals. But in 2004, all that came crashing down around her when she made the sale of a lifetime at the worst possible moment. Press Play to re-live the tale that shook early 2000s kitchens around the world. 

Theme Song: Dreams Become Real - Kevin McLeod

Mark Hoffman was once renowned as a top collector in the Church of the Latter-Day Saints. Every find corroborated the holy origin of the church and brought legitimacy to their cause. But when Mark can't pony up on documents that are integral to the faith and some of his old finds come into question, he decides to protect himself and his sham of a legacy through murder. Click Play to hear the tale also captured in Netflix's Murder Among the Mormons about this scammer turned murder who almost single-handedly ruined the LDS church.  

Theme Song: Dreams Become Real - Kevin McLeod