Immigration fraud is a serious crime in the United States.  Immigration fraud is also a Federal crime which means that such fraud will be investigated and prosecuted by Federal authorities.  The United States is a nation of immigrants and Immigration is a part of our history.  It is no secret that many people wish to immigrate to the United States and reside permanently here or become a citizen.  The Immigration process can be complex which is why competent legal representation is necessary.  In this episode, I will give a brief overview of the American Immigration system and discuss Immigration marriage fraud.   

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In the 1991, the nation of Albania was liberated from 50 years of hard-line Communism led by Enver Hoxha.  Even by Soviet and Eastern European standards, the system of Communism imposed on Albania in 1944 was cruel and rigid.  From 1944 until 1991, Albania was, in many ways, completely closed off from the rest of the world.  When Communism fell, the country opened up to market reforms.  Unfortunately, this also led to a proliferation of criminal gangs who took advantage of the confusion to set up "investment funds" that were nothing more than Pyramid or Ponzi schemes.  Thousands of people lost money in these schemes which led to the collapse of the government and a brief civil war.  We explore in this episode how pyramid schemes led to the collapse of an entire government.  

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We conclude our history of Enron with this podcast.  Although there is a great deal more to tell regarding the Enron story, a basic history and overview (which concludes in this second of two podcasts) is a good foundation.  

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

As I mentioned in several previous podcasts, Enron is a type of "centerpiece" when discussing white-collar crime and fraud for me because I live in Houston and have personal connections to the Enron story.  In this first of two episodes, we will be reviewing the history of Enron - from its beginnings as a provider of natural gas to its ultimate downfall as one of the largest examples of White Collar Crime in U.S. History.   In later episodes, we will be examining the Enron scandal in more detail, but the history of the company is a logical place to start.  Enjoy!

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Prevention is, of course, the best way to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.  We review some of the most common steps to take so you are not a victim and also offer a few other insights.  We live in a digital age and just like we protect our homes from home invasion, we must also take steps to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. 

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode, we discuss the steps that should be taken if you are the victim of a fraud or white collar crime.  These steps will not only help to minimize any losses that you may suffer, but also to develop good financial protection habits that are useful in today's world.  

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Fake check scams are nothing new.  But they are more prevalent than ever and with the imaging technology that is available to anyone, a fraudulent check can easily appear to be the "real thing."  In the space of four weeks, I was approached twice by prospective "clients" that wished to retain the services of my Firm.  In reality, however, these were fraudsters that were attempting to perpetuate the fake check scam on me.  Had I fallen for it, I would have been out hundreds of thousands of dollars.  This episode is especially important for attorneys.  

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We wrap up our examination of Dr. Maria Konnikova's excellent book "The Confidence Game" by exploring what happens as the con continues and the mark is confronted with evidence that he or she is being scammed.  We conclude with examining why it is so hard to stop being the victim of a con.

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The story is the heart of every con.  For a confidence scheme to work, the con artist has to make his mark believe the story that he is telling.  Stories are the heart of what makes us human.  We explore how a story works for the con artist. 

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We take a break from analyzing Dr. Konnikova's excellent book to review some of the more popular - and infamous - types of white collar crimes that exist.  Money laundering, pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes - such types of crimes have existed for centuries but with the internet and instant global communication are more of a threat than ever.  This episode reviews these crimes.  

Introduction and exit music: Dark Hallway (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/