PRETEND

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]

True Crime
Technology
Society & Culture
26
2404: Open Enrollment, Open Season for Scammers
25 min
27
2403: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 3
38 min
28
Listener Reaction: The Cancer Sympathy Machine
18 min
29
2402: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 2
28 min
30
2401: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1
35 min
31
Dakota Spotlight: Meanwhile in Mankato
53 min
32
2309: From Smallville to NXIVM: The Psychology ...
40 min
33
Bonus: The Psychology Behind Parasocial Relatio...
25 min
34
The Hypnotist - Alien Abductions
36 min
35
The Haunted Tourist
57 min
36
The Real Vampires
38 min
37
2304: Cracks in the Fandom part 4
52 min
38
2303: Cracks in the Fandom part 3
41 min
39
2302: Cracks in the Fandom part 2
37 min
40
2301: Cracks in the Fandom part 1
35 min
41
2210: The High School Hoax Update
29 min
42
2209: The Stalker: Rick Fernandez’s Guilty Plea
9 min
43
2208: The Monster
38 min
44
2208: State of Corruption: Ohio part 2
37 min
45
2207: State of Corruption: Ohio part 1
34 min
46
The Real Donnie Brasco - FBI Case File Review
67 min
47
2205: Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey Part 18:...
51 min
48
2204: Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey part 17
27 min
49
"Nobody Should Believe Me" — When the Advocate ...
49 min
50
2203: The Playwright part 3
41 min