Dr. Carl Sagan, among his other publications, discussed a "Baloney Detection Kit." This "kit" and the principles within were used by Dr. Sagan to combat pseudoscience and sloppy thinking. However, the nine tools in this Baloney Detection Kit are also an excellent way to combat fraud and white collar crime. I can't promise that by following all 9 rules of the Baloney Detection Kit you will never be a victim of fraud. I can promise, however, that your chances are greatly reduced.

This show is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Carl Sagan - tireless champion for scientific reasoning and the wonder of the Cosmos.

Founded in about 1850, Lehman Brothers became one of the largest investment firms and wealth management organizations in the United States. At one point, it employed 14,000 people and occupied the entire 34 stories of 250 Vesey Street in Manhattan. Then, in September 2008, it all came crashing down. What happened? Was this fraud or incompetence or a bit of both? Let's talk about the fall of Lehman Brothers - one of the largest bankruptcies in the history of the United States.

We conclude our episode of Fraud in the Martial Arts. We discuss three "martial arts masters" who claim outrageous lineages and/or abilities which are not authenticated or proven. I also discuss what to look for when choosing a martial arts school. Warning that this episode does contain some profanity.

Music - Action Rhythm and Epic Boss Fight by David Fesliyan.

Opening Quote from Bruce Lee

I apologize to my listeners for the delay in getting this podcast published. Like any other endeavor, martial arts can be the subject of fraud. If a person spends money and invests his time to learn a skill advertised as a "skill that can save a life" but ends up being taught by a charlatan who has no knowledge of the subject, not only is the person's time and money wasted, but a false sense of security is given. This is the literal definition of fraud. In this episode, and the next one, we discuss fraud in the martial arts.

Warning that this episode does contain some profanity.

Soon after the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, I discussed how corruption in the Russian Armed Forces was a serious threat to the invasion and Russian society in general. Now, 18 months into the war, Russian corruption has reached the point where the Ukrainians joke that their military consists of four branches: the army, navy, air force and Russian corruption. Let's take another look at how corruption in Russia is destroying the country.

Closing Music: Ukrainian National Anthem.

Back during the first year of my podcast, I discussed how I was almost the victim of a scam. Well - it almost happened again.

The fake check scam is still out there and still a very real threat. And for attorneys, this threat can interfere with the trust accounts we are required to maintain as attorneys and can present a very real threat to our law licenses. Some things are just too good to be and a potential client who wants to write a big check, sight unseen, is one of those things. Caue advocatus! Attorney beware!

Opening and Closing Music:

Penguin music - Modern Chillout - Background Music [NCS Release]

Mention the name "Yakuza" and Manga addicts will jump for joy. The term "Yakuza" mentioned to U.S. Law Enforcement authorities will probably evoke a different reaction. Mention the term "Yakuza" to the average Japanese and you may get an answer anywhere from praising the Yakuza as a collection of Robin Hoods who look out for the forgotten members of society or another answer which refers to them as criminal scum.

The Yakuza has its roots in 400 year old protection societies for peddlers and gamblers. Japan, however, closed itself off from the outside world for 300 years so these organizations were able to grow into a more dynamic and certainly large criminal organization which today we know as the Yakuza. Let's explore this fascinating part of criminal history.

Music: Japanese National Anthem (Instrumental)

Artificial Intelligence is in the news and will continue to be in the news. And for the world of fraud and white collar crime, AI will always be in the news. AI already has the ability to analyze billions of pieces of data in a very short time which can be very useful to those trying to identify fraud. But AI also will soon have the ability to mimic human voices and personalities down to the last detail - which can be used by fraudsters and white collar criminals to get monies from supposedly secure accounts. How will AI be used in the fight against fraud? We explore AI in this podcast.

Music clips and sounds from "2001 - A Space Odyssey."

"The War of the Worlds" is one of the first science-fiction novels. Written by H.G. Wells in 1898, the novel has become immortal with its tale of invading Martians who have technology far in advance of humans who are unstoppable in their invasion of Earth. Until they are not.

The novel was adapted into a radio play by Orson Wells in 1938. The radio play was staged as a news broadcast and caused a mass panic. Even stranger, a similar version of this play was broadcast on Radio Quito in 1949 and not only caused panic, but the armed forces were called out to fight the Martians and several people lost their lives in riots. The creator of the 1949 broadcast had to self-exile to Venezuela.

What does this have to do with fraud? I call this the "War of the Worlds Effect." Listen in and find out.

Closing Music:

https://www.zophar.net/music/playstation-psf/jeff-waynes-the-war-of-the-worlds

"All warfare is deception." So says Sun Zi in his immortal classic "The Art of War." As we have discussed many times on this podcast, fraud is the use of deception and false information to entice a target into performing an action. Usually this action involves getting the target to turn over money or property. But is there a situation in which the techniques of fraud can be used for a good or useful purpose? Sun Zi would definitely say yes as we explore the use of deception in the D-Day landings in 1944.

Opening and Closing Music:

Penguin music - ModernChillout - Background Music [NCS Release]