Scams, Money, & Murder

When a group of teenagers began burglarizing the homes of Hollywood’s biggest stars, the world was captivated— and so was journalist Nancy Jo Sales. Nicole Lapin talks with Nancy Jo about breaking the Bling Ring story, the blurred lines between fame, ambition, and crime, and why celebrity culture made the thefts feel almost inevitable. From navigating clashing accounts to exposing how obsession with fame turned criminal, this is a deep look at the scandal that still haunts Hollywood over fifteen years later. For more on The Bling Ring, check our our episode: CELEBRITY: The Bling Ring on Apple or Spotify. Scams, Money, & Murder is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Scams, Money, & Murder! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Pernilla Sjöholm matched with Simon Leviev on Tinder, she thought she’d found a best friend. Cecilie Fjellhøy believed she’d finally found true love. Instead, both women were manipulated, betrayed, and defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by the infamous "Tinder Swindler." In this interview, Nicole Lapin sits down with Pernilla and Cecilie to unpack the emotional turmoil, financial destruction, and lasting trauma of falling victim to fraud. For more on The Tinder Swindler, check our our episode: LUST: The Tinder Swindler on Apple or Spotify. Scams, Money, & Murder is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Scams, Money, & Murder! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When crypto exchange giant FTX collapsed, Jake Thacker lost more than $200,000 in a matter of hours. In this candid interview, Nicole Lapin speaks with Jake about the emotional and financial toll of FTX’s downfall. From missed red flags to bankruptcy fallout, this is a raw look at the real victims of Sam Bankman-Fried’s empire—and a warning for anyone investing in crypto today. For more on FTX, check our our episode: GREED: The FTX Collapse on Apple and Spotify. Don’t Miss out on all things Scams, Money, & Murder! YouTube: @crimehousestudios Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After moving to New York in 2013, 19-year-old Anna Sorokin pursued her dreams of becoming a socialite by falling in with the city's elite -- only she couldn't afford it. Still she kept up appearances by scamming hotels, friends, and banks - alike. But the mirage only lasted for so long... Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. Follow us on social media, @crimehouse for more true crime content. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ippei Mizuhara was the right-hand man to Japanese pitcher and baseball superstar, Shohei Ohtani. As his translator, Ippei did everything for Shohei -- which included having access to his bank accounts. And when Ippei found himself millions in the red from a gambling addiction, he turned to his trusted boss for the funds. Problem was... he didn't bother asking for permission. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more true crime content, follow us on all social media, @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By 2014, Elizabeth Holmes was the queen of Silicon Valley. Her company Theranos was valued at nine billion dollars -- all thanks to its revolutionary blood-testing technology. But there was no groundbreaking tech... and Elizabeth knew it. By the time the world found out the truth, Elizabeth had scammed her investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more true crime content, follow us on all social media, @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Elizabeth Holmes was just 19 years old when she founded a startup called Theranos. She claimed her company would change healthcare forever with its sophisticated blood-testing devices -- and before long, Elizabeth and Theranos were the darlings of Silicon Valley. But there was just one problem: it was all a lie. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more true crime content, follow us on all social media, @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early 1970s, drug lord Pablo Escobar created the Medellín drug cartel, making him one of the most powerful men in Colombia -- and one of the richest men in the world. As his power grew, Pablo turned to increasingly violent methods to expand his empire... and was willing to murder anyone who got in his way. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more true crime content, follow us on all social media, @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To the outside world, Todd and Julie Chrisley looked like they had it all: a hit reality show, a beautiful family, and tons of money. But that picture-perfect image was shattered when the public learned that the stars of "Chrisley Knows Best" were living one big lie. When the dust settled, Todd and Julie were facing prison time for bank fraud and tax evasion. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martin Shkreli was more than just your average hedge fund manager -- by the time he was 33, he'd also founded his own pharmaceutical company. But he wasn't motivated by altruism. Behind the scenes, Martin was hiking drug prices up to astronomical levels... and committing all kinds of financial crimes. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For years, Simon Leviev used Tinder to charm beautiful women into believing he was their one true love. Then, just when things were getting serious, he would disappear, leaving his victims heartbroken and penniless. By the time Simon got caught, he’d scammed his victims out of an estimated ten million dollars. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2019, Alex Murdaugh's law firm discovered that he had conned several clients out of millions of dollars -- but that was only the tip of the iceberg. Alex flailed as his family, his business and his finances crumbled under the weight of public scrutiny... pushing Alex to commit his most unspeakable crime to date -- murder. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For decades, the Murdaugh family was famous for being trusted, personal injury lawyers in Hampton County, South Carolina. But when Alex Murdaugh's son was involved in a brutal boating accident, the Murdaughs found themselves under a microscope. And all of the ugly crimes Alex had committed using his law firm started to bubble to the surface. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emerging from humble beginnings in small-town France, Christophe Rocancourt wormed his way into high society in Paris, Los Angeles, and New York. Everywhere he went, he conned people into giving him money for bogus investments. Whether Christophe pretended to be related to famous film producers or even a European cousin of the famous Rockefeller family, people were happy to hand over their hard-earned money. By the time they realized they'd been duped, Christophe was already gone. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Known as "Governor Sunshine," Rod Blagojevich dominated Chicago and Illinois politics in the late '90s and early 2000s. But something sinister lay behind the flashy smile. Despite promises of big change, Rod descended into a world of crime and corruption that ultimately landed him behind bars. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early 2000s, word of Bernie Madoff's secret investment advisory firm finally started to get out. But even when the SEC investigated his shady business tactics, Bernie came out ahead. But Bernie's magic touch could only take him so far. There were some economic forces even he couldn't control... and when the damage was done, Bernie Madoff's crimes were finally exposed. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For decades, Bernie Madoff was regarded as a Wall Street titan. Even when the economy slumped, his investments seemed to come out ahead. But behind the flashy returns, it was all a mirage. And it was only a matter of time until somebody realized it. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to pop culture, few have had an impact like Lou Pearlman. For years, it seemed like the mastermind behind boy bands like the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC could do no wrong. But behind the hit albums and worldwide tours, Lou spun a web of deceit that eventually destroyed his music empire. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the end of the year approaches, we're revisiting the best episodes of 2024 from Crime House. On Money Crimes, Nicole Lapin broke down the story of Melissa Ann Shepard, a.k.a. the Internet Black Widow. This deadly senior citizen lured in rich retirees, drained their bank accounts... and left a trail of bodies in her wake. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more, follow us on Tikok and Instagram @crimehouse To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 2010s, LuLaRoe seemed to be everywhere. People with dreams of a successful stay-at-home business clamored for a chance to sell LuLaRoe's famously soft leggings. But there was more to LuLaRoe than met the eye. Many people who signed up with LuLaRoe were left with closets full of unsellable clothes -- and empty bank accounts. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the end of the year approaches, we're revisiting the best episodes of 2024 from Crime House. On Murder: True Crime Stories, Carter Roy examined the case of the Tylenol Murders. In the fall of 1982, seven people in Chicago were killed by poisoned Tylenol pills. In the first of three episodes, learn how the murders unfolded, the early steps investigators took... and how the killer eluded them. Murder: True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original. For more, follow us on Tiktok and Instagram @crimehouse. To hear the conclusion of this gripping true crime story, check out Murder: True Crime Stories on Apple or Spotify. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2006, Abraham Shakespeare was just another down-on-his-luck guy trying to get by. But then, he won $30 million in the Florida lottery and everything changed. Generous to a fault, Abe helped anyone who asked. That included a woman named Dee Dee Moore. She was willing to do whatever it took to get her hands on Abe's fortune... including murder. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Frank Abagnale became a household name after the movie Catch Me if You Can chronicled his incredible 5-year fraud spree in the 1960s. From impersonating a pilot to pretending to be a doctor and a lawyer, it seemed like Frank could fool just about everyone. But Frank's real con may have been his story itself. When it comes to the world's greatest liar, the question is... what can you trust? Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a man known as the Swiss Gigolo charmed his way across Europe, seducing some of the wealthiest women on the continent... and then robbing them blind. When he targeted one of the world's richest women, it seemed like the Swiss Gigolo was about to get his biggest score yet. But he may have bitten off more than he could chew. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Patty Hearst was kidnapped from her apartment in 1974 by a group of militant radicals, the world waited breathlessly for her safe return. But then, Patty started helping the very people who had taken her. Before long, she was robbing banks and running from the law. As this story of a media heiress-turned-outlaw unfolded, people wondered: was Patty Hearst a victim? Or was she an accomplice? Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Bankman-Fried was known as the Crypto King. Armed with sophisticated algorithms and a keen financial eye, it seemed like the FTX founder would change the world as we knew it. But something sinister hid behind his unassuming image -- and by the time Sam was exposed as a fraud, people had already lost millions. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2008, a shocking string of high-profile burglaries shocked Hollywood's A-List. But these crimes weren't committed by a gang of sophisticated thieves -- they were the work of a handful of teenagers. And nobody knew who they were, or which celebrity they'd target next. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Eliot Spitzer became Governor of New York, it seemed like he was destined for greatness — maybe even the Presidency. But those dreams were crushed when a federal investigation revealed that his squeaky-clean image was much dirtier than anyone thought. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1980s, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakkers' televised sermons dominated the airwaves. Their impassioned pleas for donations convinced their followers to send them millions of dollars. But that money wasn't going to their ministry -- it was going straight into Jim and Tammy Faye's pockets. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leona Helmsley ruled the New York real estate scene. Known as "the Queen of Mean" for her ruthless business tactics, she used her massive fortune to always get her way... until the IRS got involved and her empire was toppled forever. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jen Shah's larger-than-life antics on "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" made her a reality TV star. But the thing that really got Jen Shah's name in the headlines was the massive telemarketing fraud scheme that made her fortune...and landed her in prison. Money Crimes is a Crime House Original. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you think of Richard Nixon, the first thing that comes to mind is the Watergate Scandal. But Watergate was just the final piece in a long history of wrongdoing. From the beginning of Nixon's political career, he was willing to do whatever it took to get ahead... even if it came at the American people's expense. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Knoedler Art Gallery boasted one of the finest collections in all of New York City. But its director had no idea that the Knoedler's multimillion masterpieces were fakes -- created by a trio of clever con artists. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Ann Shepard seemed like a harmless old lady. But she was actually a dangerous predator who went after lonely bachelors for money... and left dead bodies in her wake. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the members of the Billionaire Boys Club scrambled for funds, they resorted to violence to get the money they needed. But what seemed like the perfect crime was full of holes. And it was only a matter of time until they were caught. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the surface, the Billionaire Boys Club was an investment group/social club for LA's wealthy young men. In reality, it was an ambitious Ponzi scheme. But as the plan unraveled, its members turned to increasingly desperate measures... including murder. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They say “money doesn’t sleep,” so why should your favorite show? Scams, Money and Murder now drops twice every Thursday, just in time for your morning and evening commute. Hosts Vanessa Richardson and Carter Roy pull you past the headlines into the darkest corners of greed, where scams spiral, lies collapse, and crimes turn deadly. Scams, Money, and Murder is a Crime House Original powered by PAVE Studios. Follow now so you never miss an episode. For ad-free access, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices