306 Episodes

  1. 1402: The Pests part 2

    Published: 8/8/2023

  2. 1401: The Pests part 1 (Gang stalking)

    Published: 8/1/2023

  3. 1311: The Stalker - Interview with the Doctor (part 16)

    Published: 7/18/2023

  4. Suspect: Five Shots in the Dark

    Published: 7/17/2023

  5. The Undercover White Supremacist (FBI Retired Case File Review)

    Published: 7/11/2023

  6. 1310: Love and Taxes (plus Stalker update)

    Published: 7/4/2023

  7. Up In Arms, from Alphabet Boys

    Published: 7/3/2023

  8. 1309: The Pale-Faced Lie part 2

    Published: 6/13/2023

  9. Wondery & Bloomberg Present - Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried

    Published: 6/8/2023

  10. 1308: The Pale-Faced Lie part 1

    Published: 6/6/2023

  11. 1307: The Stalker - Fly on the Wall (part 15)

    Published: 5/30/2023

  12. George Santos & The Harbor City Capital Ponzi Scheme (THE PONZI PLAYBOOK)

    Published: 5/23/2023

  13. 1305: The Stalker - In Time You'll Get the Truth (part 14)

    Published: 5/16/2023

  14. 1304: The Cuban Spy part 2

    Published: 5/9/2023

  15. 1303: The Cuban Spy part 1

    Published: 5/2/2023

  16. 1302: The Real Catch Me If You Can - The Promissory Note

    Published: 4/25/2023

  17. 1301: The Real Catch Me If You Can part 9 (update)

    Published: 4/18/2023

  18. 1215- The Proxy part 2

    Published: 4/11/2023

  19. 1214- The Proxy part 1

    Published: 4/4/2023

  20. S1213: The Stalker part 13 (The Arraignment)

    Published: 3/28/2023

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PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web. Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons. PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling. Featured in lists of the best podcasts about con artists and scams, PRETEND investigates crimes of persuasion, trust, and betrayal. New episodes drop regularly with stories that reveal how manipulation shapes modern life, both online and off. PRETEND is produced by Creative Babble, LLC. © 2025 Creative Babble LLC [CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]