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
51
2104: The Digital Pickpocket Revisted
26 min
52
2103: LaDonna's Easter Egg Hustle
19 min
53
2102: Faking Insanity
37 min
54
2101: My Wife, the Ponzi Schemer
32 min
55
2013: I Married a Narcissist part 3
48 min
56
2012: I Married a Narcissist part 2 Listener Re...
13 min
57
2011: I Married a Narcissist part 1
51 min
58
2010: The Keepsake Scandal
30 min
59
2009: The Gambler Revisited
37 min
60
2008: Licensed to Kill part 2
28 min
61
2007: Licensed to Kill part 1
37 min
62
2006: Operation Cock Block
46 min
63
2005: The Telepathy Tapes B-side part 3
34 min
64
2004: The Telepathy Tapes B-Side part 2
44 min
65
2003: The Telepathy Tapes B-Side part 1
41 min
66
Criminal Conduct S5: The Life and Death of Buff...
28 min
67
2002: DNA Deception
33 min
68
2001: Drone Hysteria
19 min
69
1914: BONUS: Grapes, Grifts, and Gavel
62 min
70
1913: The Christmas Con Revisited
35 min
71
1912: BONUS: Affirmative Pretend Bullsh**
63 min
72
1911: Love and Taxes Revisited
34 min
73
1910: The Maury Povich Olive Lady - Revisited
32 min
74
1909: The Woman Who Almost Stole Graceland
42 min
75
BONUS: How to Spot a Con Artist on the First Da...
46 min