<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Con Artist Archives | Pretend Podcast</title> <atom:link href="https://pretendradio.org/tag/con-artist/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://pretendradio.org/tag/con-artist/</link> <description>Serialized podcast about deception, con artists, and people pretending to be someone else.</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:20:12 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <image> <url>https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-cropped-Pretend-Logo-New-3000px-32x32.png</url> <title>Con Artist Archives | Pretend Podcast</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/tag/con-artist/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Love and Taxes</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/love-and-taxes-romance-scam-jennifer-mitchell-is-a-con-artist-in-disguise/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 04 Jul 2023 00:08:10 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 13]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[irs scam]]></category> <category><![CDATA[jennifer mitchell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[john coutu]]></category> <category><![CDATA[romance scam]]></category> <category><![CDATA[tax scam]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6909</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Romance Scam: Boyfriend says Jennifer Mitchell is a Con Artist in Disguise John Coutu found himself facing a daunting visit […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/love-and-taxes-romance-scam-jennifer-mitchell-is-a-con-artist-in-disguise/">Love and Taxes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full"> <div class="min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="7659ff05-b14f-4ff2-9833-6c59e04901ec"> <h2 class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">Romance Scam: Boyfriend says Jennifer Mitchell is a Con Artist in Disguise</h2> <div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"> <h4>John Coutu found himself facing a daunting visit from the IRS, with a claim totaling $80,000 hanging over his head.</h4> <h3>IRS’s $80,000 Claim: John Coutu’s Wake-Up Call</h3> <p>Jennifer Mitchell, presenting herself as a loving girlfriend willing to manage John’s taxes, ultimately reveals her true colors as a con artist, leading him down a dangerous path of deceit.</p> <h3>The Anatomy of a Scam: Jennifer’s Web of Deception</h3> <p>As the layers of Jennifer’s elaborate scam unfold, it becomes clear that she not only neglected to file John’s taxes but also impersonated IRS officials to maintain her ruse.</p> <h3>Navigating Love and Lies: The Con Artist’s Impact on Trust and Taxes</h3> <p>This episode of PRETEND Podcast delves into the complicated dynamics between love and financial betrayal, highlighting the importance of wariness and honesty in the shadow of a con artist’s manipulation.</p> <h2><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f3a7.png" alt="đ§" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> <strong>Listen to the full episode on PRETEND Podcast</strong></h2> <p>Donât forget to subscribe for free to never miss out on our weekly adventures into con artists and deception.</p> <p><iframe src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=ADV6351553713" width="100%" height="200" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <h3><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f517.png" alt="đ" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> <strong>Subscribe to PRETEND Podcast</strong></h3> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pretend-radio/id1245307962?mt=2">Apple Podcast</a></p> </div> <p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2vaCjR7UvlN9aTIzW6kNCo?si=nlQxtYtoRLmTJB9xMofT_Q">Spotify</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf94SpHoG-uN-y0bmaCKIHQ">YouTube</a></p> <h3><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f517.png" alt="đ" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> <strong>Stay Connected</strong>:</h3> <p><a href="https://instagram.com/pretendpod">Instagram</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PretendPod">Facebook</a></p> <p><a href="https://x.com/PretendPod">X (Twitter)</a></p> </div> </div> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/love-and-taxes-romance-scam-jennifer-mitchell-is-a-con-artist-in-disguise/">Love and Taxes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Doctor accused of stalking speaks out about the stalking case – The Stalker part 8</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-accused-of-stalking-speaks-out-about-the-stalking-case-the-stalker-part-8/</link> <comments>https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-accused-of-stalking-speaks-out-about-the-stalking-case-the-stalker-part-8/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2023 20:07:12 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 12]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Stalker]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cyberstalking]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fraud]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hoax]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Podcast]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stalker]]></category> <category><![CDATA[true crime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[victim blaming]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6782</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Doctor accused of stalking speaks out about the stalking case In today’s episode of the Pretend podcast, we finally hear […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-accused-of-stalking-speaks-out-about-the-stalking-case-the-stalker-part-8/">Doctor accused of stalking speaks out about the stalking case – The Stalker part 8</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Doctor accused of stalking speaks out about the stalking case</span></h1> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">In today’s episode of the Pretend podcast, we finally hear from Dr. Grace Gressman, the woman at the center of the Rodriguez family’s cyberstalking saga. Despite having her statements in the police report, the host, Javier Leiva, calls her to get her side of the story. To everyone’s surprise, she picked up the phone.</span></p> <h2>Podcaster confronts the stalker</h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">But that’s not all. In an effort to get to the bottom of this case, Javier also confronts the alleged stalker himself. It’s a bold move that could potentially reveal the true identity of the person behind the threatening messages that have terrorized the Rodriguez family for years.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">What does Dr. Gressman say about the allegations against her and her husband? And what does the stalker have to say when confronted by Javier? Tune in to the latest episode of Pretend to find out.</span></p> <h1><span data-preserver-spaces="true">BINGE ALL 10-EPISODES</span></h1> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Patreon</span></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Listen to the first 10 episodes. Plus…Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Support PRETEND on Patreon</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast</span></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Binge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn’t make it on the show</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Subscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Follow Pretend on social media:</span></strong></p> <p><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://twitter.com/PretendPod" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Twitter</span></a></p> <p><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">TikTok</span></a></p> <p><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/@pretendpod" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">YouTube</span></a></p> <p><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://pretendradio.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">PRETEND</span></strong></a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. </span></strong></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It has been featured in the </span></strong><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/style/liars-catfishing-deception.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">New York Times</span></strong></a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, the </span></strong><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48231388" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">BBC</span></strong></a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, & </span></strong><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/best-weekly-true-crime-podcast-episodes-10-4.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">New York Magazine</span></strong></a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. </span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-accused-of-stalking-speaks-out-about-the-stalking-case-the-stalker-part-8/">Doctor accused of stalking speaks out about the stalking case – The Stalker part 8</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-accused-of-stalking-speaks-out-about-the-stalking-case-the-stalker-part-8/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Doctor and Husband Cleared as Suspects in Cyberstalking Case – The Stalker part 7</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-and-husband-cleared-as-suspects-in-cyberstalking-case-the-stalker-part-7/</link> <comments>https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-and-husband-cleared-as-suspects-in-cyberstalking-case-the-stalker-part-7/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2023 20:04:38 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 12]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cyberstalking]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Podcast]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stalker]]></category> <category><![CDATA[true crime]]></category> <category><![CDATA[victim blaming]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6779</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Disclaimer: The following article is based on true events but uses a pseudonym for the individuals involved. The names âClaudia […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-and-husband-cleared-as-suspects-in-cyberstalking-case-the-stalker-part-7/">Doctor and Husband Cleared as Suspects in Cyberstalking Case – The Stalker part 7</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Disclaimer: The following article is based on true events but uses a pseudonym for the individuals involved. The names âClaudia Rodriguezâ and âDavid Rodriguezâ are fictional names used in the PRETEND podcast. Additionally, an update regarding the case has emerged since the initial reporting. Tanya and Rick Fernandez have been charged with harassment and computer tampering as a result of this series. Their trial is scheduled for September 5, 2023.</em></p> <p> </p> <h1><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Doctor and Husband Cleared as Suspects in Stalking Case</span></h1> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Rick and Tanya Fernandez claim they’ve been the target of a cyberstalker for over three years. The stalker identified himself as their daughter’s doctor’s husband.<br /> </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Despite their efforts to involve the police and find help, the stalking has continued. </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">In fact, the detective and postal inspector assigned to the case have even accused their oldest daughter of being the perpetrator.<br /> </span></p> <h2>Victim Blaming</h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Recently, the Fernandez family received a voicemail from a detective working on their case. The detective stated that the doctor and her husband are the actual victims and that the threatening phone calls made by the cyberstalker were produced inside Fernandez’s home. The detective also mentioned that the investigation is ongoing and that doctor and her husband are not suspects.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Despite this, the Fernandez family is convinced that the doctor’s husband is behind the stalking. Tanya Fernandez stated, “He scares me. He scares me, and they already think I’m the one doing it. And I feel I’m one step away from having the cops visit here.”</span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Pretend Podcast host contacts the stalker</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">In the latest episode of the “Pretend” podcast, the tension between the doctor and the Fernandez family reaches a boiling point. The host even attempts to go toe-to-toe with the stalker to provoke a reaction and potentially reveal their identity. However, as the case continues, it becomes increasingly clear that this situation is complex, confusing, and far from over.</span></p> <h1><span data-preserver-spaces="true">BINGE ALL 10-EPISODES</span></h1> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Patreon</span></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Listen to the first 10 episodes. Plus…Get Member-only bonus episodes, t-shirts, stickers, and more.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Support PRETEND on Patreon</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast</span></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Binge the entire season with ad-free episodes plus bonus interviews that didn’t make it on the show</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Subscribe to PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Follow Pretend on social media:</span></strong></p> <p><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://twitter.com/PretendPod" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Twitter</span></a></p> <p><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@pretendpod" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">TikTok</span></a></p> <p><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/@pretendpod" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">YouTube</span></a></p> <p><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://pretendradio.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">PRETEND</span></strong></a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> is consistently in the top True Crime Podcasts about con artists in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. </span></strong></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It has been featured in the </span></strong><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/style/liars-catfishing-deception.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">New York Times</span></strong></a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, the </span></strong><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48231388" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">BBC</span></strong></a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, & </span></strong><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/best-weekly-true-crime-podcast-episodes-10-4.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">New York Magazine</span></strong></a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. </span></strong></p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-and-husband-cleared-as-suspects-in-cyberstalking-case-the-stalker-part-7/">Doctor and Husband Cleared as Suspects in Cyberstalking Case – The Stalker part 7</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://pretendradio.org/episode/doctor-and-husband-cleared-as-suspects-in-cyberstalking-case-the-stalker-part-7/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Frank Abagnale, a conman, gets an ethics award (part 8)</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-a-conman-gets-an-ethics-award-part-8/</link> <comments>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-a-conman-gets-an-ethics-award-part-8/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2022 03:26:30 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 11]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Real Catch Me If You Can Series]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Catch Me If You Can]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Abagnale]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Podcast]]></category> <category><![CDATA[true crime]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6634</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Frank Abagnale, a conman, gets an ethics award   On September 12, 2022, Frank Abagnale was honored with a Heroes […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-a-conman-gets-an-ethics-award-part-8/">Frank Abagnale, a conman, gets an ethics award (part 8)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>Frank Abagnale, a conman, gets an ethics award</h1> <p> </p> <figure id="attachment_6636" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6636" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abagnale-gets-and-Ethicxs-award-Xavier.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-6636 size-full" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abagnale-gets-and-Ethicxs-award-Xavier.jpg" alt="Conman Frank Abagnale gets an ethics award at Xavier University" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abagnale-gets-and-Ethicxs-award-Xavier.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abagnale-gets-and-Ethicxs-award-Xavier-300x169.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abagnale-gets-and-Ethicxs-award-Xavier-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6636" class="wp-caption-text">Conman Frank Abagnale gets an ethics award at Xavier University</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>On September 12, 2022, Frank Abagnale was honored with a Heroes in Ethics award at Xavier University. An ethics award for a conman!</strong></p> <figure id="attachment_6637" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6637" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Reunion-Atlanta-2003.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6637" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-300x169.jpg" alt="Conman Frank Abagnale gets an ethics award at Xavier University" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-300x169.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-768x432.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Reunion-Atlanta-2003.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6637" class="wp-caption-text">Conman Frank Abagnale gets an ethics award at Xavier University.</figcaption></figure> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Unlike the general public, who were spellbound by the myth surrounding Abagnale’s life, Xavier University knew precisely who they were honoring that night. They can’t claim ignorance because I wrote the University and told them they had the wrong guy. Frank Abagnale doesn’t deserve an ethics award. </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">He lied about his entire life story</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. Was Malala busy that week? She deserves an ethics award. But despite knowing the truth, Xavier University went along with their little ethics ceremony anyway. </span></p> <p><a href="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abagnale-gets-and-Ethicxs-award-Xavier-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6635 alignleft" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abagnale-gets-and-Ethicxs-award-Xavier-2-169x300.jpg" alt="Conman Frank Abagnale gets an ethics award at Xavier University" width="169" height="300" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abagnale-gets-and-Ethicxs-award-Xavier-2-169x300.jpg 169w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Abagnale-gets-and-Ethicxs-award-Xavier-2.jpg 506w" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" /></a></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Xavier University’s mission is built on moral and ethical responsibility- that’s what it </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.xavier.edu/mission-identity/xaviers-mission/xaviers-mission-statement/more-on-the-mission-statement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">says on its website</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. And out of all the people in the world making a difference, they chose to honor a guy </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-is-a-con-artist-just-not-the-con-man-you-think-he-is-part-4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">who ripped off his girlfriend and is accused of feeling up college girls pretending to be a doctor-slash pilot recruiter</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. But, seriously, did they even read this guy’s </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Abagnale" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Wikipedia page</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">?</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Picture a room full of business students, professors, lawyers, accountants, and even current members of the FBI eagerly awaiting Frank Abagnale’s Heroes in Ethics acceptance speech. Little does Frank Abagnale know that Jim Grinstead, host of the </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwji1fecv9b6AhVHl2oFHeQaCWsQFnoECBIQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scamsandcons.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw1W0U3LiiGQR6W1MA4RGjbB" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Scams and Cons</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> podcast, was in the audience. Jim planned to confront Frank Abagnale during the Q&A portion of the ceremony. </span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Jim Grinstead: </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“So I wonder, in light of the ethics award you’re going to be presented tonight, would you come clean? Would you tell the truth about the stories you’ve told? Will you admit that you just lied to everybody, and you’re still conning them?”</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale:</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> “Uh, I don’t believe that’s the case. I don’t give talks about my life. I basically give seminars. Uh, that’s what I do… just like I’m doing this evening. And, uh, obviously again, uh, what I did 50 years ago is irrelevant. I didn’t make the movie, book, or the Broadway musical. If people made money off of telling that story, that was their, uh, prerogative to do that.”</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Since Alan Logan’s exposĂŠ on Abagnale, titled “</span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hoax-Earth-Catching-Truth-ebook/dp/B08P3X22K5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Greatest Hoax</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">,” Abagnale claims he had nothing to do with his own autobiography. Instead, he claims his co-author Stan Redding made the whole thing up. But the truth is that Abagnale has been peddling this lie for years before “Catch Me If You Can” was published. </span></p> <h2>The history of deception</h2> <figure id="attachment_6640" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6640" style="width: 654px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-10-at-3.00.03-PM.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-6640" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-10-at-3.00.03-PM.png" alt="True Detective article featuring Frank Abagnale" width="654" height="340" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-10-at-3.00.03-PM.png 654w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-10-at-3.00.03-PM-300x156.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6640" class="wp-caption-text">True Detective article featuring Frank Abagnale</figcaption></figure> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/True-Detective_FWA-Cover-Story-1978.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">True Detective article featuring Frank Abagnale – 1978</span></strong></a></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">You can watch him tell the same lies on <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIYtKR24LQs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson</a> and <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w9NsxWFYFU&t=331s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">To Tell the Truth</a>. And two years before “Catch Me If You Can” the book was published, Abagnale’s capers were featured in the </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Detective_(magazine)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">True Detective</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> magazine. This magazine interview is proof that Frank Abagnale was making ALL the claims: bar exam, attorney general, professor, Atlanta pediatrician, escape from the Atlanta penitentiary, escape from the airplane toilet, $2.5 million in checks, recruiting co-eds and traveling with them through Europe before the book was ever written. </span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Why do people believe these lies?</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Lisa Beanz, a listener of the PRETEND podcast, wrote, “It’s less about the fact that his story is a lie.” Lisa adds, “What’s more fascinating to me is how no one seems to care despite being exposed multiple times.” She says it’s mind-boggling. And she’s right. It is hard to believe that despite all the truth we put out there, Frank Abagnale will continue to peddle his lies. </span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Correcting history is hard</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">But things are starting to change. And we have real-life proof of it. Because of listeners like you, AARP acknowledged that Abagnale is no longer an ambassador to their organization.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">And probably the most significant sign that we’ve done our job is that Google added a big fat disclaimer at the beginning of their Frank Abagnale video “</span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://youtu.be/vsMydMDi3rI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Talks at Google</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">.” </span></p> <p><iframe title="Frank Abagnale | Catch Me If You Can | Talks at Google" width="825" height="464" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vsMydMDi3rI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The video has almost 15 million views. It’s the first video result when you type in “Frank Abagnale” in the search bar. Because of listeners like you, the video now starts with a disclaimer warning viewers that says, “Google does not endorse or condone the content within the video, nor does it lay claim to the validity of the actions described.” YouTube also shut down the comments and decided to keep the video posted for historical purposes only. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">That’s huge! Together, we’ve made a gigantic structural crack in the Abganle facade. The podcast, Alan Logan’s book, your emails… it’s working. For the first time, organizations like Xavier University acknowledged the controversy. Organizations like AARP have publicly stated that his </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2022/tv-shows-movies-documentaries-about-scams.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">life story has been debunked</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. And Google, a tech giant pledging to combat misinformation, added a disclaimer to its most popular video on Abagnale. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale wants people to remember him for his contribution to cybercrime and fraud, not for what he did 50 years ago. But, unfortunately, it’s not that easy to forget. His victims still remember. And that emotional scab tears every time he steps on stage and glorifies his criminal past. </span></p> <p><strong>Listen to part 8 of The Real Catch Me If You Can on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-6/id1245307962?i=1000579300950"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Apple Podcast</span></a> or <span style="color: #ff6600;"><a class="editor-rtfLink" style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jPz06kJ2D2mduGRxJhvNU?si=63da6d34441c4da0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a></span>. Or start at the beginning with <a href="https://pretendradio.org/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-1/"><span style="color: #ff6600;">part 1</span></a>.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-a-conman-gets-an-ethics-award-part-8/">Frank Abagnale, a conman, gets an ethics award (part 8)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-a-conman-gets-an-ethics-award-part-8/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Frank Abagnale’s older brother posed as a therapist and kidnapped a girl (part 7)</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnales-older-brother-posed-as-a-therapist-and-kidnapped-a-girl-part-7/</link> <comments>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnales-older-brother-posed-as-a-therapist-and-kidnapped-a-girl-part-7/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 06 Oct 2022 20:30:51 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 11]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Real Catch Me If You Can Series]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Catch Me If You Can]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Abagnale]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fraud]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Podcast]]></category> <category><![CDATA[scam]]></category> <category><![CDATA[true crime]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6626</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Roy Abagnale, Frank Abagnale’s older brother, used multiple aliases, faked his career as a therapist, and was even accused of […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnales-older-brother-posed-as-a-therapist-and-kidnapped-a-girl-part-7/">Frank Abagnale’s older brother posed as a therapist and kidnapped a girl (part 7)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Roy Abagnale, Frank Abagnale’s older brother, used multiple aliases, faked his career as a therapist, and was even accused of kidnapping a 7-year-old girl. </span></h1> <p><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Roy-Abagnale-Kidnapping"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="css-9pa8cd" draggable="true" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FdrOd_nXoAIIaM1?format=jpg&name=medium" alt="Roy Abagnale was accused of kidnapping a 7-year-old girl" width="516" height="1200" /></a></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The kidnapping is described in a 1968 Jackson, Michigan newspaper. According to the report, Abagnale traveled with the child to California. The girl’s father believed Abagnale was taking her to New York for treatment. So why did Abagnale drive her to the opposite end of the country? </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Unfortunately, the article doesn’t clarify how long the girl was missing. Additionally, Abagnale was eventually charged with credit card forgery and illegal conversion of a vehicle which is another way of saying he didn’t return a rental car. </span></p> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Help us solve this mystery.</span></h3> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Roy Abagnale went by the following pseudonyms: Eugene Abaglane, Jean-Paul Abagnale, and Jean Francis Abagnale, just to name a few. He may have lived in Michigan from 1960-1965. If you know anyone who went by these names, please contact us. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Roy Abagnale passed away in 2015. His daughter Heather has been trying to put the pieces together ever since. She had no idea that the father who raised her was an imposter. It wasn’t until the release of Alan Logan’s book titled </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hoax-Earth-Catching-Truth-ebook/dp/B08P3X22K5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Greatest Hoax on Earth</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> that she discovered the story about the kidnapped girl. Since then, Heather has reached out to Alan Logan and me to help her solve her family mystery. </span></p> <figure id="attachment_6627" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6627" style="width: 199px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Subject.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6627" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Subject-199x300.png" alt="Roy Abagnale, Frank Abagnale's older brother" width="199" height="300" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Subject-199x300.png 199w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Subject.png 254w" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6627" class="wp-caption-text">Roy Abagnale, Frank Abagnale’s older brother</figcaption></figure> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Abagnale brothers</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Perhaps the greatest mystery is how Frank Abagnale and his older brother Roy followed similar paths. First, both men assumed other identities. Then, for reasons unknown, they were drawn to disadvantaged children. There’s only one main difference between the two brothers. Frank Abagnale chose to flaunt his grift, while Roy preferred to live under the radar. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Let’s not forget that Roy Abagnale was Heather’s father. She loved him. And Heather’s in the middle of figuring this whole thing out. She sent me this message after one of our chats. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“Something I forgot to tell you is when my dad got really sick, right before he died, he became obsessed with the idea of karma and talked about it all the time, like maybe he was sick due to karma or something. I thought it was so weird because I couldn’t figure out what kind of bad karma he was referring to. It’s really what prompted me to explore more because it seemed so weird and out of step with the man I knew. Just figured I’d mention that…, something was tormenting him- in the end.”</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">What was tormenting Roy Abagnale? Does Frank Abagnale have similar ghosts? </span></p> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JehmcjieDansqI4VP1VpA?si=496af5cc21e54c90">Listen to part 7</a> </span>of The Real Catch Me If You Can on </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-6/id1245307962?i=1000579300950">Apple Podcast</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> or<span style="color: #ff6600;"> </span></span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a class="editor-rtfLink" style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jPz06kJ2D2mduGRxJhvNU?si=63da6d34441c4da0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. Or start at the beginning with <a href="https://pretendradio.org/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-1/"><span style="color: #ff6600;">part 1</span></a>.</span></h3> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></h3> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnales-older-brother-posed-as-a-therapist-and-kidnapped-a-girl-part-7/">Frank Abagnale’s older brother posed as a therapist and kidnapped a girl (part 7)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnales-older-brother-posed-as-a-therapist-and-kidnapped-a-girl-part-7/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Interview with the FBI agent who arrested Frank Abagnale (part 6)</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/interview-with-the-fbi-agent-who-arrested-frank-abagnale-part-6/</link> <comments>https://pretendradio.org/episode/interview-with-the-fbi-agent-who-arrested-frank-abagnale-part-6/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 2022 15:49:31 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 11]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Real Catch Me If You Can Series]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Catch Me If You Can]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FBI]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Abagnale]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fraud]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Joe Shea]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Podcast]]></category> <category><![CDATA[scam]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tom Hanks]]></category> <category><![CDATA[true crime]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6580</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Meet the FBI agent who slapped the cuffs on Abagnale Frank Abagnale was busted for cashing ten bogus airline payroll […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/interview-with-the-fbi-agent-who-arrested-frank-abagnale-part-6/">Interview with the FBI agent who arrested Frank Abagnale (part 6)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Meet the FBI agent who slapped the cuffs on Abagnale</span></h2> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale was busted for cashing ten bogus airline payroll checks by Joe Shea and two other FBI agents. Shea is the inspiration for the Tom Hanks character in the movie. </span></h3> <p><img decoding="async" class="n3VNCb KAlRDb alignnone" src="https://c.tenor.com/YIv8VOrZyhUAAAAC/catch-me-if-you-can-catch-me.gif" alt="Catch Me If You Can Tom Hanks GIF - Catch Me If You Can ..." data-noaft="1" /></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Shea died in 2005 at 85, but the other two agents may still be alive. I wonder what they remember about the day they arrested Frank Abagnale? </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">If I could get ahold of one or both of these guys, I could finally set the record straight about Abagnale’s most blatant lies. Was there a prolonged chase between Abagnale and the FBI? Was the bureau looking into the sexual allegations at the University of Arizona? Did the FBI recruit Abagnale? If so, these guys should know. After all, they were the ones who put the cuffs on him. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><a href="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6581 alignnone" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-300x225.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-768x576.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Reunion-Atlanta-2003-scaled.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The three agents were Joseph Shea, deceased, Tom McKewon, and Al Brown, all out of the FBI Atlanta division. The two agents would be about 80 years old if they were still around. So locating them will be no easy task. But with some friends’ help, I found one of them- Retired agent Al Brown. </span></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jPz06kJ2D2mduGRxJhvNU?si=216b3b759b2c4cd2">Listen to my exclusive interview with retired FBI agent Joe Brown</a>.</span></strong></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Confronting Frank Abagnale</span></h2> <p><iframe title="Ambush Interview with Frank Abagnale, the con artist behind Catch Me If You Can" width="825" height="464" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8VXGd8_yOJY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">This series is not just a story about a con man who lied about his past experience. No, it’s much bigger than that. This series is about correcting history. For decades, we’ve celebrated Frank Abagnale’s life like he’s a hero or something. He’s invaded our living rooms in countless tv interviews. He’s had Leonardo DiCaprio play him in a movie. John Williams even scored his superhero theme song. And his life has even been turned into a musical that one reviewer wrote: “is an amazing true story with a happy ending we all need.” </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">But it turns out that America’s favorite con man is just another petty criminal who’s never really repaid all the money he stole. But if we zoom out, this is the story of the spread of misinformation. Where politicians and other grifters have taken a page out of Abagnale’s book and learned that if they repeat multiple lies over and over, most people won’t question it. And they can get away with it. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank claims he evaded the FBI for five years. They couldn’t catch him even if they tried. Sure, he admits he finally got arrested, but in his version of the story, he became a hero by working undercover for the FBI. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">I may not believe his account, but I think he won in the end. The guy is in his mid-70s, lives in a multimillion-dollar island home, and makes a pre-school teacher’s annual salary every time he takes the stage. He made it! And besides his alleged victims, no one seems to question his success. He fooled us all. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">And he would have gotten away with too, if it weren’t for this meddling kid and his scrappy friend from Belfast. (The Irish guy is Alan Logan, the author of the Greatest Hoax on Earth.) We’re on a mission to set the record straight. So that when you ask someone if they know who Frank Abagnale is, Instead of it being based on a true story, they’ll tell you that he made it all up. </span></p> <p><iframe title="Ambush Interview with Frank Abagnale, the con artist behind Catch Me If You Can" width="825" height="464" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8VXGd8_yOJY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale may have been on the run for the last 50 to 40 years, getting away with their biggest lie. But guess what…</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">We caught him. </span></p> <p> </p> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Listen to part 6 of The Real Catch Me If You Can on </span><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-6/id1245307962?i=1000579300950"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Apple Podcast</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> or </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a class="editor-rtfLink" style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jPz06kJ2D2mduGRxJhvNU?si=63da6d34441c4da0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. Or start at the beginning with <a href="https://pretendradio.org/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-1/"><span style="color: #ff6600;">part 1</span></a>.<br /> </span></h3> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/interview-with-the-fbi-agent-who-arrested-frank-abagnale-part-6/">Interview with the FBI agent who arrested Frank Abagnale (part 6)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://pretendradio.org/episode/interview-with-the-fbi-agent-who-arrested-frank-abagnale-part-6/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Ambush interview with Frank Abagnale, the con artist behind Catch Me If You Can (part 5)</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/ambush-interview-with-frank-abagnale-part-5/</link> <comments>https://pretendradio.org/episode/ambush-interview-with-frank-abagnale-part-5/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2022 19:41:26 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 11]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Real Catch Me If You Can Series]]></category> <category><![CDATA[based on a true story movies]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Catch Me If You Can]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FBI]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Abagnale]]></category> <category><![CDATA[frank abagnale documentary]]></category> <category><![CDATA[frank abagnale interview]]></category> <category><![CDATA[frank abagnale johnny carson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[frank abagnale jr]]></category> <category><![CDATA[frank abagnale jr interview]]></category> <category><![CDATA[frank abagnale movie]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Podcast]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6402</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Javier Leiva Ambush interview with Frank Abagnale Abagnale claims he posed as a pilot, a lawyer, a doctor, and a […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/ambush-interview-with-frank-abagnale-part-5/">Ambush interview with Frank Abagnale, the con artist behind Catch Me If You Can (part 5)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Javier Leiva Ambush interview with</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> Frank Abagnale </span></h1> <p><iframe title="Ambush Interview with Frank Abagnale, the con artist behind Catch Me If You Can" width="825" height="464" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8VXGd8_yOJY?start=26&feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale claims he posed as a pilot, a lawyer, a doctor, and a professor from the age of sixteen to twenty-one years old. But how is that possible if he was in prison most of that time? You won’t believe his response. </span></h3> <hr /> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Timeline of Frank Abagnale’s life between the ages of 16 to 21. </span></h2> <p><iframe title="Myth vs Reality: The real Frank Abagnale Catch Me If You Can timeline" width="825" height="464" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sXgLTQV22D0?start=6&feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The video of the interview with Frank Abagnale is further down this page. But for it to make sense, you first must understand the timeline. </span></p> <p> </p> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Age 16 – 17</span></h3> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6411" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAPilot-300x250.jpg" alt="Frank Abagnale posing as a pilot" width="300" height="250" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAPilot-300x250.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAPilot-1024x852.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAPilot-768x639.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAPilot.jpg 1140w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Claim: Pilot</span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale claims he impersonated a pilot for PanAm and cashed more than $2 million in 26 countries.</span></li> </ul> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Verified Facts:</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">It’s impossible. Abagnale was not posing as a pilot at age 16. Instead, he enlisted in the Navy and dropped out months later. After his brief military career, he was arrested multiple times in New York. </span></li> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">He also was arrested for stealing a car in Eureka, CA. </span></li> </ul> <figure id="attachment_6424" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6424" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tuckahoe-July-1965-handcuffs-in-bag-.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6424" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tuckahoe-July-1965-handcuffs-in-bag--300x122.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="122" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tuckahoe-July-1965-handcuffs-in-bag--300x122.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tuckahoe-July-1965-handcuffs-in-bag--1024x415.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tuckahoe-July-1965-handcuffs-in-bag--768x312.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tuckahoe-July-1965-handcuffs-in-bag--1536x623.jpg 1536w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tuckahoe-July-1965-handcuffs-in-bag-.jpg 1595w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6424" class="wp-caption-text">The Tuckahoe arrest report at age 17 led to Abagnale’s incarceration at Comstock. Why did Frank Abagnale have handcuffs in his bag?</figcaption></figure> <p> </p> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Age 18</span></h3> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6409" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAdoctor-300x250.jpg" alt="Frank Abagnale posing as a doctor" width="300" height="250" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAdoctor-300x250.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAdoctor-1024x852.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAdoctor-768x639.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAdoctor.jpg 1140w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Claim: Doctor</span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale claims he worked the overnight shift at Cobb General Hospital in Georgia as a supervisory pediatrician. </span></li> </ul> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Verified Facts:</span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Cobb General didn’t have an overnight shift at the time. How could he pose as a doctor while incarcerated at Great Meadow Correctional Institute In Comstock, New York?</span></li> </ul> <h3>Age 19</h3> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6410" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWALawyer-300x250.jpg" alt="Frank Abagnale posing as a lawyer" width="300" height="250" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWALawyer-300x250.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWALawyer-1024x852.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWALawyer-768x639.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWALawyer.jpg 1140w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Claim: Lawyer</span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale claims he passed the Louisiana bar exam and worked under the Baton Rouge State Attorney. </span></li> </ul> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Verified Facts:</span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale was still sitting in a Comstock prison until he was granted parole in May 1967. There’s no record of him ever passing the bar exam. </span></li> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">After Comstock, Abagnale was released on parole and lived with his mother, Paulette. He was later rearrested in Boston. </span></li> </ul> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Age 20 </span></h3> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6412" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAprofessor-300x250.jpg" alt="Frank Abagnale posing as a professor" width="300" height="250" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAprofessor-300x250.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAprofessor-1024x852.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAprofessor-768x639.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAprofessor.jpg 1140w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Claim: Professor</span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale claims he taught at Bringham Young University.</span></li> </ul> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Verified Facts: </span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The truth is, Abagnale was sitting in a Massachusetts prison and returned to Comstock to complete his prison sentence.</span></li> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">On December 1968, Abagnale was released from Comstock.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Ages 21-22</span></h3> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6413" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAstock-broker-300x250.jpg" alt="Frank Abagnale posing as a stock broker" width="300" height="250" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAstock-broker-300x250.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAstock-broker-1024x852.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAstock-broker-768x639.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FWAstock-broker.jpg 1140w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Claim: European adventure<br /> </span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale says he was arrested in France, serving six months in the Perpignan prison. </span></li> </ul> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Verified facts:</span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The truth is, he moved in with Paula Park’s family in Baton Rouge, LA. Then, he was arrested and convicted of theft and forgery (February 1969). </span></li> </ul> <figure id="attachment_6423" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6423" style="width: 294px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BRPD-arrest-report-cover.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6423" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BRPD-arrest-report-cover-294x300.jpg" alt="" width="294" height="300" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BRPD-arrest-report-cover-294x300.jpg 294w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BRPD-arrest-report-cover-1005x1024.jpg 1005w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BRPD-arrest-report-cover-768x782.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BRPD-arrest-report-cover-1508x1536.jpg 1508w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BRPD-arrest-report-cover.jpg 1541w" sizes="(max-width: 294px) 100vw, 294px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6423" class="wp-caption-text">Frank Abagnale Baton Rogue arrest report.</figcaption></figure> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Eventually, Abagnale did visit France and Sweden, where he was accused of theft (October 1969). As a result, he served three months in France and two months in Sweden. </span></li> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">He was deported back to the USA. </span></li> <li>Despite his claim that he completed all his crimes by age 21, Abagnale didn’t really get started on his brief Pan Am uniform and check scam until he was 22 years old. The whole thing only lasted three months, and Abagnale was arrested without pomp and ceremony on November 2nd, 1970, in Georgia.</li> </ul> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Ages 23-25</span></h3> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Claim: Served 3 years in a Virginia Prison</span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale claims he was convicted and served three years for forging $2.5 million in bad checks. </span></li> </ul> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Verified facts:</span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">In reality, Frank Abagnale was convicted of cashing $1,448.60 in Pan Am payroll checks (a far cry from the $2.5 million he famously claims). </span></li> </ul> <h3>Age 26</h3> <figure id="attachment_6414" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6414" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6414" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FBI-300x250.png" alt="Frank Abagnale posing as an FBI agent" width="300" height="250" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FBI-300x250.png 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FBI-1024x852.png 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FBI-768x639.png 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FBI.png 1140w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6414" class="wp-caption-text">Frank Abagnale posing as an FBI agent</figcaption></figure> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Claim: FBI<br /> </span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale claims he was on parole and quickly recruited to work for the FBI. </span></li> </ul> <h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Verified facts: </span></strong></h4> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale got a job at Camp Manison (a children’s summer camp near Houston, TX) and was arrested for theft. He then worked as a social worker at an orphanage under false pretenses. There’s no proof he ever worked for the FBI. </span></li> </ul> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Age 28 and beyond</span></h3> <ul> <li><span data-preserver-spaces="true">At the age of 28, Abagnale begins promoting his fictitious timeline. He developed a press kit and was booked on “To Tell the Truth” and “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. The rest is history. </span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <hr /> <p> </p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The smoking gun<br /> </span></h2> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="351" class="wp-image-6406 size-large aligncenter" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_2-e1661886090156-1024x351.jpg" alt=""<yoastmark" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_2-e1661886090156-1024x351.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_2-e1661886090156-300x103.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_2-e1661886090156-768x263.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_2-e1661886090156-1536x526.jpg 1536w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_2-e1661886090156.jpg 1820w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="202" class="size-medium wp-image-6405 aligncenter" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_1-300x202.jpg" alt=""<yoastmark" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_1-300x202.jpg 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_1-1024x690.jpg 1024w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_1-768x518.jpg 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_1-1536x1036.jpg 1536w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnales-Inmate_Card-Redacted_Page_1.jpg 1817w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Alan Logan, the author of </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hoax-Earth-Catching-Truth-ebook/dp/B08P3X22K5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">the Greatest Hoax on Earth</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, challenged me to recreate his research on Abagnale. First, he told me to request the smoking gunâFrank Abagnale’s prison card. Challenge accepted. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">So, I contacted the New York States Archives, and sure enough, they sent me the records of his time there between the ages of 17 to 20. </span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">How to read Frank Abagnale’s prison card</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">After reviewing his prison records, it’s clear that Frank Abagnale exaggerated his entire life story. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Above is an original inmate card from Great Meadows Comstock prison. Abagnale was incarcerated from age 17 to 20 (with brief parole in May 1967). </span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">RC</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> means Remand Center, which is where they bring inmates to acclimate. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">On July 26, 1965, Abagnale was found guilty of ripping off the gas station and was sentenced to 3 years (see – Term 3-0-0). The crime has been redacted, but we could verify it from newspaper clippings. </span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">GM </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">means Great Meadow. He was brought there on September 15, 1965.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Max Expiry</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> would have been the date he was scheduled to be released, which was supposed to be 3 years after his sentencing, i.e., July 13, 1968. But he was paroled first. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The top left-hand corner says</span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> PAR</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, which means parole. He was paroled from Great Meadow on May 8, 1967. But that parole was short-lived because of his stolen car conviction in South Boston and low-level check conviction just weeks later. He was sentenced to 120 days in the Charles St. Jail in Boston and then sent back to Great Meadow for the remainder of the full term.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">PV</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> means parole violation, and he was brought back from Massachusetts to Great Meadow on December 12, 1967. He stayed in Great Meadow until December 24, 1969, just days before he met </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-americas-favorite-con-artist-made-everything-up/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Paula Parks</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. </span></p> <p><iframe title="Ambush Interview with Frank Abagnale, the con artist behind Catch Me If You Can" width="825" height="464" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8VXGd8_yOJY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">1:21 Q: “You pretend to be a pilot, a lawyer, a doctor… but how could you have done all that if you were sitting in prison most of the time?” </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">1:43 Javier presents Frank Abagnale his prison card that clearly shows he was in prison from 16 to 21 years old. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">1:56 Frank Abagnale denies writing his own autobiography! <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f632.png" alt="đ˛" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale admits that his life story is a work of fiction.</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Even today, </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/84/catch-me-if-you-can-by-frank-abagnale-jr-with-stan-redding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Penguin Books is positioning Catch Me if You Can</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, the book, as non-fiction, an “</span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">uproarious, best-selling true story.” </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">And the movie “Catch Me If You Can” claims it’s based on a true story. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">But now, Abagnale claims he had nothing to do with his own autobiography. So is he implying that Stan Redding, the book’s co-author made the whole thing up? The problem is Frank Abagnale peddled these lies years before “Catch Me If You Can” was published. I have a copy of Abagnale’s 17-page press kit, which details his caper. That press kit became a manuscript, eventually turning into the New York Times best-selling autobiography “Catch Me If You Can.” </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">So if this is a work of fiction, how can Abagnale explain the numerous videos of him retelling the big lie? Take, for instance,</span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIYtKR24LQs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> the Johnny Carson interview</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, which predates the book Catch Me If You Can. Or how about his </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsMydMDi3rI&t=9s" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Talks at Google</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> video, released 27 years after the book? </span></p> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Listen to part 5 of The Real Catch Me If You Can on </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a class="editor-rtfLink" style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-5/id1245307962?i=1000577769285" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcast</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #ff6600;"> </span>or </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/4wPPtoxzurq8aZEvSbE95F?si=7b91b332cd7c4bf9" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Spotify</span></span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">.</span></h3> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/ambush-interview-with-frank-abagnale-part-5/">Ambush interview with Frank Abagnale, the con artist behind Catch Me If You Can (part 5)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://pretendradio.org/episode/ambush-interview-with-frank-abagnale-part-5/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Frank Abagnale is a con artist, just not the con man you think he is (part 4)</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-is-a-con-artist-just-not-the-con-man-you-think-he-is-part-4/</link> <comments>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-is-a-con-artist-just-not-the-con-man-you-think-he-is-part-4/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2022 23:54:23 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 11]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Real Catch Me If You Can Series]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Catch Me If You Can]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Abagnale]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fraud]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Podcast]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6380</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Like you, I was shocked to discover that Frank Abagnale’s life story is greatly exaggerated, if not a flat-out lie. Don’t […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-is-a-con-artist-just-not-the-con-man-you-think-he-is-part-4/">Frank Abagnale is a con artist, just not the con man you think he is (part 4)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Like you, I was shocked to discover that </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale’s life story is greatly exaggerated</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, if not a flat-out lie. </span></h2> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Don’t get me wrong. Frank Abagnale is a con manâjust not the con man you think he is. </span></h3> <h4><span data-preserver-spaces="true">He’s not a brilliant mastermind. In reality, he’s more of a petty thief. </span></h4> <h5><span data-preserver-spaces="true">This is a multi-part series. <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-1/"><span style="color: #ff6600;">To listen to part 1, click here</span></a>. </span></h5> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale is accused of stalking.</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Once the mirage fades and you learn about his actual crimes, you’re left with an unsettling feeling. A feeling that this guy’s true life is just plain creepy.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Remember Paula Parks, the former Delta flight attendant from </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-americas-favorite-con-artist-made-everything-up/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">episode two</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">? Paula says Frank Abagnale followed her from airport to airport. “I was flying to Washington DC, and there he was. So I said, how did you know where I was gonna be?”</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Paula Parks says that in addition to stalking her, Frank Abagnale also managed to move in with her parents. “My mother called me and said he knocked on the door one day and moved in with them.” </span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">A witness claimed Abagnale conducted physicals on college co-eds under false pretenses. </span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Not only is Abagnale accused of stalking women, but it’s also reported that he inappropriately touched them while posing as a pilot recruiter at the University of Arizona. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">I spoke with Captain Paul J. Holsen II, a retired pilot and ex-CIA operative. Before Holsen worked for the CIA, he was a student at the University of Arizonaâ the same university Abagnale used to recruit flight attendants. Holsen wanted to line up a commercial airline pilot gig after graduation. And when he found out a Pan Am pilot was on campus recruiting students, he jumped at the chance. </span></p> <figure id="attachment_6381" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6381" style="width: 142px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6381" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Report-of-ASU-recruit-Nov-1970-142x300.jpg" alt="Frank Abagnale recruits stewardesses under flase pretenses" width="142" height="300" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Report-of-ASU-recruit-Nov-1970-142x300.jpg 142w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Report-of-ASU-recruit-Nov-1970-484x1024.jpg 484w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Report-of-ASU-recruit-Nov-1970.jpg 565w" sizes="(max-width: 142px) 100vw, 142px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6381" class="wp-caption-text">Frank Abagnale recruits stewardesses under false pretenses. Report of ASU recruit Nov 1970</figcaption></figure> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Pan Am pilot of course was Frank Abagnale. He had told the university that he was only recruiting stewardesses. Nevertheless, Holsen thought meeting with Abagnale would still be a good opportunity. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">This is a passage from Holsen’s autobiography </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.amazon.com/Born-Bottle-Beer-Paul-Holsen-ebook/dp/B00LR1AJDY" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Born in a Bottle of Beer</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">: </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“The day of the interview, I walked over to the hall to see a room full of beautiful girls waiting. I walked into a room to find a Pan Am pilot conducting the interviews.” Holsen approached Abagnale and said,” ‘I didn’t know pilots did this.” Abagnale replies, “Not only am I a pilot but a doctor too. I do everything, interviews, and physicals.” </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Physicals? Why would a pilot conduct physicals on a flight attendant recruits? And what kind of physicals? Was Abagnale inappropriately touching these young women? </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The next day, Holsen receives a call from the FBI. When the agents arrived, they showed him a picture of the pilot. “Ever seen this fellow?” That’s when Paul Holsen learned that the pilot was a fake. The agents informed him that Abagnals stole the uniforms, the credit cards, and worst yet, he wasn’t even a doctor.” Holsen thought, “but he did all those physicals to the girls!”</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">I asked Holsen about this encounter. Especially about the physicals. What exactly went on in that room?</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Holsen told me that Frank Abagnale was doing “exams,” implying it was code for taking advantage of the young co-eds. But he stopped short of going into specifics. I prodded him throughout our call, and he finally said, “there are things I will take to the grave.”</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">These physicals were so bad that he had to take them to his grave? I can only imagine. </span></p> <blockquote><p><strong><em>“When the girls came by, I always gave them a thorough examination, sent him on their way. I was young but not stupid.”</em> </strong></p> <p><span style="color: #999999;" data-preserver-spaces="true">This is a quote of Frank Abagnale from a 1994 promotional CD where he describes conducting similar physicals while posing as a pediatrician. </span></p></blockquote> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">There are reports that Abagnale tried recruiting co-eds at other universities. The Arizona Daily Star printed this headline, “Fake recruiter charged by FBI.” The newspaper article says that Abagnale prowled Arizona State University in Tempe, trying to recruit young women.</span></p> <p>Frank</p> <figure id="attachment_6397" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6397" style="width: 776px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-6397 size-full" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnale-at-Camp-Manison.png" alt="Frank Abagnale at Camp Manison" width="776" height="445" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnale-at-Camp-Manison.png 776w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnale-at-Camp-Manison-300x172.png 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Frank-Abagnale-at-Camp-Manison-768x440.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 776px) 100vw, 776px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6397" class="wp-caption-text">Camp Manison 1974 in Houston, Texas. Frank Abagnale (top row, second from the right)</figcaption></figure> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale and his facination with children</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">There’s a disturbing pattern throughout Frank Abagnale’s life. Each time he’s released from prison, he somehow gravitates toward children and young adults. In 1969, while living in Baton Rogue, Lousiana, Abagnale sought a volunteer position working alongside children with mental disabilities. Then in 1974, while on parole in Texas, he worked as a bus driver at a youth summer camp called Camp Manison. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">After he was busted for allegedly stealing from the camp, Abagnale forged a master’s degree in social work and got a job at an orphanage. You can’t make this up. A freaking orphanage! And how do I know this? Because his parole officer, Jim Blackmon, told me. When Blackmon found out that Abagnale was placing children in homes, he demanded that Abagnale resign. However, Blackmon fell short of reporting him to the authorities. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">You have to ask yourself, why was a felon seeking the company of young children? To listen to the whole story, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-4/id1245307962?i=1000576222783">listen to part 4</a> of The Real Catch Me If You Can series. </span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Listen to part 4 of The Real Catch Me If You Can on </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-4/id1245307962?i=1000576222783">Apple Podcast</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> or </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1BdDbeEYlOMgdi32GwaL2K?si=4124764e37234d4d">Spotify</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">.</span></h2> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-is-a-con-artist-just-not-the-con-man-you-think-he-is-part-4/">Frank Abagnale is a con artist, just not the con man you think he is (part 4)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-is-a-con-artist-just-not-the-con-man-you-think-he-is-part-4/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Frank Abagnale’s entire life story is a lie (part 3)</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/part-3-frank-abagnales-entire-life-story-is-a-lie/</link> <comments>https://pretendradio.org/episode/part-3-frank-abagnales-entire-life-story-is-a-lie/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2022 17:01:57 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 11]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Real Catch Me If You Can Series]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Catch Me If You Can]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[con man]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Abagnale]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6346</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Frank Abagnale’s entire life story is a lie. If you’ve been listening to this podcast, you realize it’s logistically impossible […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/part-3-frank-abagnales-entire-life-story-is-a-lie/">Frank Abagnale’s entire life story is a lie (part 3)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale’s entire life story is a lie.</span></h1> <h3>If you’ve been <span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-1/">listening to this podcast</a></span>, you realize it’s logistically impossible to believe Frank Abagnale’s story. This is because he never worked as a doctor, a lawyer, or a professor from the age of 17 to 21. Why? Because he was sitting behind bars most of the time. But damn, it’s a great story. I almost want to believe it myself.</h3> <p> </p> <blockquote><p><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“At the age of 18, I was employed on salary as the chief resident pediatrician over Georgia hospital, where I practiced medicine for over a year. I would’ve been a gynecologist, but at 18, I didn’t know any better.” </span></em></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">– Frank William Abagnale, Jr. </span></p></blockquote> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Was Frank Abagnale a doctor?<br /> </span></h2> <figure id="attachment_6352" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6352" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6352" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.20-PM-300x264.png" alt="Was Frank Abagnale a doctor?" width="300" height="264" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.20-PM-300x264.png 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.20-PM.png 763w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6352" class="wp-caption-text">Was Frank Abagnale a doctor?</figcaption></figure> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">According to Frank Abagnale’s autobiography, he fell into the role of doctor by accident. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">One day while wandering the halls, the hospital administrator called Frank over and asked Abagnale for a flavor. The doctor who supervised the overnight shift had a death in the family, and they needed someone to fill in for the next ten days, and he couldn’t find anyone to fill the position.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The hospital administrator assured Abagnale that he wouldn’t have to do anything. He just needed to be around to satisfy state requirements. Those 10 days covering the overnight shift turned into a month and that month turned into a year. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">And just like that, Frank Abagnale, an 18-year-old boy, was in charge of seven medical interns and 40 nurses at Cobb County General Hospital in Georgia. Frank Abagnale says that wearing that white lab coat gave him the same pleasure he experienced while dressing up as a pilot. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82155147/the-daily-oklahoman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Of course, none of this happened</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. Great story, nonetheless. </span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Was Frank Abagnale a lawyer?</span></h2> <blockquote> <figure id="attachment_6353" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6353" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6353" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.11-PM-300x247.png" alt="Was Frank Abagnale a Lawyer?" width="300" height="247" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.11-PM-300x247.png 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.11-PM-768x632.png 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.11-PM.png 770w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6353" class="wp-caption-text">Was Frank Abagnale a Lawyer?</figcaption></figure> <p><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“At the age of 19, having never been to law school in my life, I took the state bar in Louisiana. I passed it at 19 years. And before my birthday, I was appointed to the attorney general staff, where I practiced law for a year until I was 20.”</span></em></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">– Frank William Abagnale, Jr. </span></p></blockquote> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Jack P. F. Gremillion was the Attorney General of Louisiana from 1956 to 1972. According to Abagnale lore, Gremillion was so impressed by the con man that he encouraged Abagnale to pass the Louisiana bar exam and join his staff. But, of course, this is all a lie. We have no record of Abagnale ever working for Gremillion.</span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Was Frank Abagnale a professor?</span></h2> <blockquote> <figure id="attachment_6354" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6354" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6354" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.27-PM-300x259.png" alt="Was Frank Abagnale a professor?" width="300" height="259" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.27-PM-300x259.png 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-02-at-1.06.27-PM.png 769w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6354" class="wp-caption-text">Was Frank Abagnale a professor?</figcaption></figure> <p><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“At the age of 20, I was a college professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. I taught two full semesters there as a PhD. Mormons haven’t gotten over that yet, but they’re still working on it.”</span></em></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">– Frank William Abagnale, Jr. </span></p></blockquote> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">One thing is trueâFrank Abagnale never graduated high school. Yet, somehow he managed to fool the airlines, a whole hospital staff, and the Louisiana state attorney General’s office. So why not also pose as a university professor? </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">According to legend, Abagnale read an article in the local paper about a teacher shortage at Brigham Young University. But how will this high school dropout pass as a legitimate professor?</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The head of sociology at Brigham Young University told reporter Rick Perry, “We can tell you who taught here since 1975. We know who everyone was and where they are now. And this guy was not one of them. There isn’t even a remote possibility.”</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Years later, when a </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.ksl.com/article/234247/did-frank-abignale-really-teach-at-byu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">KSL TV reporter questioned Abagnale about his professor days</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, he finally admitted that he was more like a teacher’s aid. “It wasn’t really that big of a thing.” </span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Start with <span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-1/">part 1</a></span> and <span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-americas-favorite-con-artist-made-everything-up/">part 2</a></span>, then l</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">isten to part 3 of The Real Catch Me If You Can on </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-3/id1245307962?i=1000574745712" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Apple Podcast</span></span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> or </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a class="editor-rtfLink" style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2aWynLjNGVs92TixrD9FHn?si=A2V7uWLjSgmlupBMtvPzdA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify.</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><br /> </span></h2> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Download this podcast episode on your podcast platform of choice:</span></h3> <p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2aWynLjNGVs92TixrD9FHn?si=1f7de0dcbadf44f8"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="sp-no-webp entered lazyloaded alignnone wp-image-4745" 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data-src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spotify-podcast-badge-blk-grn-330x80-300x73.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a> <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-3/id1245307962?i=1000574745712"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-4870 sp-no-webp entered lazyloaded " src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" alt="Apple Podcasts badge" width="158" height="40" data-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" data-lazy-="" data-ll-status="loaded" data-src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" /></a> <span data-preserver-spaces="true"><a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4bd0a9ec-22bf-4d8b-aa8e-e6f914e43793/episodes/f700d586-daa2-48cd-9ea0-46b86e5ca65a/pretend---a-true-crime-documentary-podcast-s809-the-hypnotist-part-3---is-hypnosis-admissible-in-court"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-6405 sp-no-webp entered lazyloaded " src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" alt="Listen on Amazon Music" width="168" height="41" data-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" data-lazy-="" data-ll-status="loaded" data-src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" /></a> </span><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vQURWMTI5MzE1MDEwOA/episode/MmVmODUwYWMtOWJkZi0xMWViLThlYmQtODdmMzM4Nzk0MTc5?sa=X&ved=0CAQQ8qgGahcKEwjoq7av9K70AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQLA"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3114 sp-no-webp entered lazyloaded " src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" alt="Google Podcasts Badge (300x76 pixels)" width="157" height="40" data-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" data-lazy-="" data-ll-status="loaded" data-src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" /></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/part-3-frank-abagnales-entire-life-story-is-a-lie/">Frank Abagnale’s entire life story is a lie (part 3)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://pretendradio.org/episode/part-3-frank-abagnales-entire-life-story-is-a-lie/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Frank AbagnaleâAmerica’s favorite con artist made everything up (part 2)</title> <link>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-americas-favorite-con-artist-made-everything-up/</link> <comments>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-americas-favorite-con-artist-made-everything-up/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Leiva]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jul 2022 18:52:36 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Season 11]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Real Catch Me If You Can Series]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Catch Me If You Can]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Con Artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FBI]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Abagnale]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Podcast]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://pretendradio.org/?post_type=episode&p=6337</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Who is the real Frank Abagnale? Frank Abagnale claims he never scammed the little guy. Instead, his target was focused […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-americas-favorite-con-artist-made-everything-up/">Frank AbagnaleâAmerica’s favorite con artist made everything up (part 2)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Who is the real Frank Abagnale?</span></h1> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale claims he never scammed the little guy. Instead, his target was focused on big banks and airlines. But records tell a different story.</span></h3> <h3></h3> <figure id="attachment_6340" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6340" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6340" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FWA-collage-300x223.png" alt="Frank Abagnale Doctor, Professor, Lawyer" width="300" height="223" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FWA-collage-300x223.png 300w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FWA-collage.png 559w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6340" class="wp-caption-text">Frank Abagnale Doctor, Professor, Lawyer</figcaption></figure> <h4><span data-preserver-spaces="true">This is part 2 of a multi-part series. To listen to <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/the-real-catch-me-if-you-can-part-1/">“The Real Catch Me If You Can – part 1”</a> click here.<br /> </span></h4> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Here’s Frank Abagnale’s interview with </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4JDlcpoA4M" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">BBC HardTalk</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true">:</span></p> <blockquote><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">BBC Reporter:</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“Are these victimless crimes? </span></em></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale:</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“Um, victimless as there were no individuals I ripped off for money. There were companies and banks. But in reality…I paid the money back. So there really isn’t anyone sitting out there saying they’re out the money or lost money from this crime.”</span></em></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">But we know, for a fact, that he is accused of ripping off dozens of individuals, including Paula Parks and her Frank A</span></p> <figure id="attachment_6338" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6338" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-6338" src="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Screen-Shot-2022-07-19-at-2.46.48-PM-225x300.png" alt="Frank Abagnale letter to the Parks family" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Screen-Shot-2022-07-19-at-2.46.48-PM-225x300.png 225w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Screen-Shot-2022-07-19-at-2.46.48-PM-768x1023.png 768w, https://pretendradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Screen-Shot-2022-07-19-at-2.46.48-PM.png 800w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6338" class="wp-caption-text">Frank Abagnale letter to the Parks family</figcaption></figure></blockquote> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abagnale is convicted of fraud and forgery</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">After scamming the Parks’ and other small businesses, Frank Abagnale Jr. sat in jail contemplating his bleak futureâa possible 10-year sentence in the Louisiana State Supermax Penitentiary (known as Angola). </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">But Frank Abagnale is a con artist, not a fighter. So how is he going to survive in America’s most dangerous prison? His lawyer called a hail mary. Frank Abagnale claimed insanity. As a result, the court-appointed lunacy commission held an inquisition into the mental state of young Frank. But unfortunately for Abagnale, the commission found him perfectly sane. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">They wrote, “After an examination, it is our opinion that Frank Abagnale is able to distinguish between right and wrong, is able to assist counsel in his defense, and understands the magnitude of the charges.”</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">On January 2, 1969, Frank Abagnale appeared before the judge and pleaded guilty to forgery and theft.</span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Next stop, Angola… the Alcatraz of the south. </span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">But wait… Abagnale never stepped foot inside Angola. Instead, the judge ordered him to undergo psychiatric treatment and sentenced him to supervised probation. The judge also ordered Abagnale to return all the money he stole from his victims… including the Parks. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">According to court records, Abagnale never arrived at his first psychiatric appointment and was nowhere to be found. As a result, Frank Abagnale was on the run.</span></p> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale’s victimless crimes?</span></h2> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">We know that Frank Abagnale did not commit so-called victimless crimes. We have the court records to prove it. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">So, how does present-day Abagnale reflect on these times?</span></p> <blockquote><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Frank Abagnale:</span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></em></strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“I think that’s why people probably are a little more willing to accept what I did. I repaid all the money many years ago.”</span></em></p></blockquote> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">I’ve interviewed several of Abagnale’s victims for this podcast, and none seem very forgiving. I know Paul Parks isn’t forgiving him anytime soon. Because unless the check got lost in the mail, the Parks never did get their money back. The money Abagnale swore to repay. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">These are the crimes Frank Abagnale is not so proud of. The ones he doesn’t want you to know about. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">So gather around kids… Let’s have America’s most beloved con man try to fool us one more time. </span></p> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Listen to this podcast episode on your podcast platform of choice:</span></h3> <p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/4UquzkRVaDn1k4FOTn9Pwe?si=b6efa9b229c247d7"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-4745 sp-no-webp entered lazyloaded " src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spotify-podcast-badge-blk-grn-330x80-300x73.png" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spotify-podcast-badge-blk-grn-330x80-300x73.png 300w, https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spotify-podcast-badge-blk-grn-330x80.png 330w" alt="Listen on Spotify badge" width="164" height="40" data-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spotify-podcast-badge-blk-grn-330x80-300x73.png 300w, https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spotify-podcast-badge-blk-grn-330x80.png 330w" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spotify-podcast-badge-blk-grn-330x80-300x73.png 300w, https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spotify-podcast-badge-blk-grn-330x80.png 330w" data-lazy-="" data-ll-status="loaded" data-src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spotify-podcast-badge-blk-grn-330x80-300x73.png" data-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a> <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s809-the-hypnotist-part-3-is-hypnosis-admissible-in-court/id1245307962?i=1000544187407"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-4870 sp-no-webp entered lazyloaded " src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" alt="Apple Podcasts badge" width="158" height="40" data-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" data-lazy-="" data-ll-status="loaded" data-src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/apple-podcasts-badge-300.png" /></a> <span data-preserver-spaces="true"><a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4bd0a9ec-22bf-4d8b-aa8e-e6f914e43793/episodes/f700d586-daa2-48cd-9ea0-46b86e5ca65a/pretend---a-true-crime-documentary-podcast-s809-the-hypnotist-part-3---is-hypnosis-admissible-in-court"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-6405 sp-no-webp entered lazyloaded " src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" alt="Listen on Amazon Music" width="168" height="41" data-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" data-lazy-="" data-ll-status="loaded" data-src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ListenOn_AmazonMusic_button_Indigo_RGB_5X_US.png" /></a> </span><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vQURWMTI5MzE1MDEwOA/episode/MmVmODUwYWMtOWJkZi0xMWViLThlYmQtODdmMzM4Nzk0MTc5?sa=X&ved=0CAQQ8qgGahcKEwjoq7av9K70AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQLA"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3114 sp-no-webp entered lazyloaded " src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" alt="Google Podcasts Badge (300x76 pixels)" width="157" height="40" data-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" data-lazy-="" data-ll-status="loaded" data-src="https://www.podcastinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/google-podcasts-badge-300x76.png" /></a></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">______________</span></p> <h3><span data-preserver-spaces="true">True Crime Podcast Festival 2022 in Dallas, TX</span></h3> <p><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">We’re excited to announce that Pretend, and Criminal Conduct hosts will attend the True Crime Podcast Festival on August 26-28th in Dallas, Texas. </span></em></p> <p><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Festival is designed around your desire to mingle, interact, and have casual conversations with the podcasters you listen to regularly. There will also be panel discussions and live episodes you can’t hear anywhere else!</span></em></p> <p><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Go to the website </span></em><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="http://url3036.rsvpify.com/ls/click?upn=OPM3A0Kq-2FXJq5Qh0FQuJyD-2F2Qo0MV0arV3kIlf9dzA0yvCLYuh33KCCpukclUGfZL-2Fl8YFMV1IkA0E8KNbka4CYXMBTZb71dBMwC4HCvCuxo1vz7V2-2B1ptl2j70AK5db3Ua-2B6PpzLDYzvfCdeRgEszhilIB22pnq9oC43VCjAno-3DKhvG_u6pdTOlTppXfTF-2FY8ingw-2FT7eUsgasmxs-2BvpYOITGvuLjk4-2FcvLhMmQ8xTPvCIuOe9qqBgyu2sLSrimNNuk7ODx9tU8P1dUIZg16csme27qp4jRQK-2B9E9muvltgmCykU4As0rOqhH1HC-2Bqv57CQrGYuxuLxQfLyr83dd1KBHdYXvaIRYLXUYoXftKXizI-2FukdnTiAxLsaqNEMN3WZ-2BWK8mOKAYJiYJso0le1uTtybwTqoCqN4zZcCz4AD4DmSBTbzdyzkAs3tOnELhEIyD6S7xUZRXPVxbq4ZE3X18FZe5Z1DF8C1samOQcaLm7W5XQp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Truecrimepodcastfestival.com</span></em></a><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> to find information on tickets and the hotel. Prices go up the closer we get to the event, so you won’t want to wait. </span></em></p> <p><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">I’ll see you at the True Crime Podcast Festival!</span></em></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-americas-favorite-con-artist-made-everything-up/">Frank AbagnaleâAmerica’s favorite con artist made everything up (part 2)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://pretendradio.org">Pretend Podcast</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://pretendradio.org/episode/frank-abagnale-americas-favorite-con-artist-made-everything-up/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>