In this eye-opening episode of the Stolen Podcast, host Erin West interviews Chris Colocousis, a romance scam survivor who lost 90% of his retirement savings to a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud known as "pig butchering."

Chris shares his detailed story of how what began as a Facebook friend request from an attractive woman led to months of manipulation, fake cryptocurrency trading platforms, and devastating financial loss. Learn about the red flags he missed, the psychological tactics scammers use, and why even crypto.com's fraud warnings couldn't stop the theft.

Key topics covered:

This episode serves as both a cautionary tale and educational resource for anyone using social media or considering cryptocurrency investments. Chris's story demonstrates how these transnational organized crime networks target everyday Americans with devastating effectiveness.

In this episode of Stolen, Erin West sits down with former U.S. Secret Service agent Matt O’Neill — a pioneer in fighting cyber-enabled fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and transnational organized crime. They dig into why the U.S. is losing ground in the battle against pig butchering scams, romance scams, and large-scale investment fraud — and what actually works to disrupt these criminal networks. O’Neill shares bold, practical steps law enforcement, tech companies, and the financial sector can take right now to stop scammers, from improving cryptocurrency crime investigations to dismantling money mule networks. From the creation of the Secret Service’s Global Investigative Operations Center to the urgent need for a U.S. national anti-scam center, this conversation delivers insider strategies, cutting-edge tech solutions, and real talk about why victims of financial fraud are too often left with nowhere to turn — and how we can change that.

Romance scam survivor Cecilie Fjellhøy, made famous by Netflix’s The Tinder Swindler, joins Erin West to expose the real cost of online fraud — and why justice is still out of reach for victims.

In this powerful episode of The Stolen Podcast, Erin and Cecilie dive deep into:

What really happened in the Tinder Swindler romance scam

The psychological tactics scammers use to trap victims

Why victims of fraud are ignored — or even criminalized — by law enforcement

How romance fraud survivors can fight back

Cecilie’s new Netflix series Love, Con, Revenge (launching September 5)

Building a nonprofit to help other victims navigate the system

This is not just a story about one scam. It’s a roadmap of what happens when a financial crime destroys your life — and no one shows up to help.

🎥 Watch The Tinder Swindler on Netflix

Keywords: Tinder Swindler, romance scam, online fraud, Cecilie Fjellhøy, scam survivor, Netflix documentary, pig butchering scam, financial crime victims, online dating fraud, Love Con Revenge

In this jaw-dropping episode of Stolen, Erin West sits down with Jacob Sims—one of the most brilliant and fearless voices in the global fight against human trafficking and financial crime. Together, they unpack the explosive truth about how Cambodia has become the epicenter of next-gen fraud, fueled by a shadow economy of pig butchering scams, forced labor, and elite corruption.

From the streets of Phnom Penh to high-level policy failures, Sims breaks down how a multi-billion-dollar scam industry took over half of Cambodia's GDP—and how powerful state actors are not just complicit, but actively profiting.

If you’ve ever asked, “Who’s behind all these scams?”—this is the episode you can’t miss. Spoiler: it's not a whodunit. It's a who's-already-doing-it.

From Uganda to Myanmar: A Journey of Resilience and Hope

Join Erin West as she delves into the harrowing yet inspiring story of Small Q, a gospel artist from Uganda. Discover how Small Q was lured by false promises of work abroad, only to find himself trapped in a scamming camp in Myanmar. Through resilience and faith, he navigated unimaginable challenges and emerged with a mission to raise awareness about human trafficking.

Small Q's initial journey from Uganda in search of better opportunities. The shocking reality of being trapped in a scamming camp. The role of faith and music in Small Q's survival and healing. Efforts to raise awareness and combat human trafficking.

Guest:

Small Q, Gospel Artist and Activist

#HumanTraffickingAwareness #Resilience #GospelMusic #Inspiration #pigbutchering #scam #transnationalorganizedcrime

Subscribe now for more powerful stories of hope and resilience.

This episode explores how a Minnesota police sergeant became a cryptocurrency crime investigator after discovering Bitcoin scams targeting elderly victims in his community, ultimately developing blockchain investigation techniques that help law enforcement agencies nationwide. Sergeant Jake Tuzinski discusses pig butchering scams, cryptocurrency ATM fraud prevention, digital asset recovery methods, and the formation of a law enforcement coalition that has recovered over $3 million from crypto scammers while providing victim support and closure.

In this episode of Stolen, Erin West and Aleks Ring discuss the complexities of transnational organized crime, focusing on the role of forensic accounting, community education, and legislative advocacy in combating scams and protecting victims. They explore the challenges posed by cryptocurrency and the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and community members to address these issues effectively.

Takeaways

In this episode, Erin West and Matt Hogan discuss the complexities of financial crimes, the role of technology, and the impact on victims. They explore various scams, including job scams and cryptocurrency-related fraud, and emphasize the importance of law enforcement's role in combating these issues. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration among law enforcement, legislation, and community resources to effectively address financial crimes and support victims.

In this episode of Stolen, Erin West speaks with Dr. Martina Dove, a psychologist specializing in the study of scams and human behavior. They discuss the psychological manipulation techniques used by scammers, the impact of scams on victims, and the societal consequences of eroded trust. Dr. Dove emphasizes the importance of empathy in interventions with victims and provides insights into the evolving nature of scams, highlighting the need for updated awareness and education.