PLAY PODCASTS
Who the Hell is Hamish?

Who the Hell is Hamish?

Stealing millions is hard, but hiding them is harder

The Australian · [email protected]

17 episodesEN-USserial

Show overview

Who the Hell is Hamish? has been publishing since 2019, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 17 episodes, alongside 7 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow an irregular cadence.

Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 19 min and 41 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. Roughly 59% of episodes carry an explicit flag from the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language News show.

The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 1.1 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. The busiest year was 2019, with 12 episodes published. Published by [email protected].

Episodes
17
Running
2019–2025 · 6y
Median length
37 min
Cadence
Irregular

From the publisher

He was born Hamish Watson, a surfie dude from Sydney – but he could morph into whatever you needed him to be. Hamish is due to be sentenced to jail in early 2019 for swindling a handful of victims out of more than $7m. But these crimes are just the final pages in a resume too thick to staple; for decades he’s duped victims in the US, Canada, Britain, Hong Kong and Australia. How did he do it? How did he evade authorities around the world for so long and what’s he done with all those tens of millions of dollars he stole?

Latest Episodes

From The Front: The mystery of ‘Shotgun Johnny’ Regan

bonus

The 1974 murder of ‘Shotgun Johnny’ Regan has never been solved. Now, his family wants answers. That’s where The Australian’s new cold case investigation The Gangster’s Ghost comes in.  Subscribers can listen to Episodes 1 and 2 now at gangstersghost.com.au. This episode of The Australian's daily news podcast The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 8, 202513 min

From The Front: Hedley Thomas’ new cold case podcast, 'Bronwyn'

bonus

Where is Bronwyn Winfield? The devoted mum has been missing since 1993 – and the man behind The Teacher’s Pet is on the case. Go to theaustralian.com.au/bronwyn to listen. Plus, you can read more about this case and see exclusive stories, maps, timelines, graphics, video and more. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Josh Burton. The multimedia editor is Lia Tsamoglou and original music is composed by Jasper Leak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 24, 202420 min

It's back: The Teacher's Pet returns for Australian listeners

bonus

The Australian's global smash-hit podcast Teacher's Pet returns for Australian audiences on July 1. You can find it wherever you got this podcast. Just search for "The Teacher's Pet". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 30, 20230 min

Introducing: My Sister's Secrets

bonus

My Sister's Secrets is the gripping story of one woman's quest to get justice for her sister - and along the way, to uncover the hidden places in her family, and all our families. In this first episode, you meet Alexandra Tapp who died at just 32, haunted by the predators in her own family. Now her sister is on a quest for justice.  My Sister's Secrets is The Australian's newest podcast. Presented by Virginia Tapscott and Steve Jackson. Search for My Sister's Secrets in your favourite podcast app to listen to Episode 2 now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 6, 202238 min

Introducing: The Breakdown

bonus

Australian rugby once had $40 million in the bank. Crowds over 100,000. TV audiences of 3 million. Today, the Wallabies have sunk to their lowest world ranking ever. Off the field rugby is a "war zone" with a $20 million deficit last year alone. The Breakdown is a gripping podcast investigation from The Australian, exploring just how far "the game they play in heaven" has fallen - and why. Jessica Halloran and Claire Harvey have interviewed everyone from ex-PMs and billionaires to Wallabies legends, boardroom insiders and the volunteers battling to keep the game alive. Raw and emotional, The Breakdown is the new binge-listen everyone will be talking about. You can listen to The Breakdown through The Australian app, or search for The Breakdown wherever you listen to podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 28, 202139 min

Introducing: The Lighthouse

bonus

Theo Hayez is missing in Byron Bay, a beautiful beachside town on Australia’s most easterly mainland point, frequently in the spotlight for its famous residents. Theo’s from Brussels. He’s 18 and on a backpacking holiday when he vanishes in May 2019. Behind the scenes, local volunteers who’ve never met Theo begin searching and investigating with his family, parallel to a major police investigation. As the search narrows to the area around the 118-year-old Cape Byron Lighthouse, a range of theories emerge. At the request of Theo’s family, The Australian National Crime Correspondent David Murray joins the unofficial search party to investigate the mysterious disappearance for a new podcast series.  Search "The Lighthouse" to listen now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 16, 20193 min

S1 Ep 10The Reckoning

For years Hamish McLaren had evaded the law. But not any more. The brutal truth, like a runaway out-of-control limited edition Mercedes McLaren, is bearing down on him. There's no escape. Judgement Day for Hamish McLaren has finally arrived.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 21, 201936 min

S1 Ep 9Bonus: Jane

E

As a bonus for all listeners, we are publishing the full interview with Jane, recorded in her house north of Sydney. She speaks at length about her experiences of Hamish, the impact it had on her life, and how she hopes to begin moving on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 5, 20191h 33m

S1 Ep 8The Definition of Evil

E

It may appear that Hamish got away with his schemes for decades. But he didn't. He kept getting caught out, time and again. It's self evident that many systems failed to apprehend this serial offender. How could this be so?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 29, 20191h 6m

S1 Ep 7On the Couch with Hamish

E

He killed off his parents, by air and by sea. He ran over his twin brother Phil, and killed him, too. What are we to make of these fanciful stories Hamish made up about his life? We've called in experts. And we've gathered bevy of ex-girlfriends to give us their take on their time with Hamish.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 22, 201940 min

S1 Ep 6Kevin from Queensland Goes to Canada

E

Skiing was Hamish Watson's great love. Before he was a puffed-up futures trader in Sydney, he was a pumped-up muscle-bound ski instructor, in Australia and Canada. The ski fields of Canada were his home away from home, a place where he could show off the millions he'd stolen. He flew in on private jets, he bought properties, he handed out Rolex watches and he regaled the locals with tales of life as a billionaire who was mates with Tom and Nicole. But it wasn't all play and no work for Hamish in Canada. He stole millions, roping in a high end car dealership, and drawing the attention of a spy and a former Australian Prime Minister.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 15, 201950 min

S1 Ep 5Who the Hell is Phil?

E

Hamish arrived on the floor of the Sydney Futures Exchange in the late 90s - he talked big, but they all knew he traded small. They called him a One Lot Wonder. And they all wondered where he got his cash. There were cars and boats and trips in private jets and a girlfriend called The Pleasure Machine. But it was all other people's money. One of his victims reported $20m dollars worth of fraud to police, but Hamish slithered away to strike again.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 8, 201942 min

S1 Ep 4The Intern

E

Jane was destined for big things. She was the great hope of her local school. She was in love with Jack, her teenage sweetheart. Life was sweet. Then, along came Hamish, promising an internship and a placement at Princeton. Two families would be devastated by the results.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 1, 201941 min

S1 Ep 3The Gatsby of the Great Lakes

E

Hamish arrived in sleepy Blueys Beach with a beautiful woman on his arm, and on the run from his past. Rumours of dark deeds wafted through in his wake. Then he met Bec Rosen. He'd shower her with love. They'd be married on the balcony of a beach shack. He'd become a father figure to her boys. And then he'd cruelly betray them all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 22, 201936 min

S1 Ep 2Fashion Crimes

E

Hamish McLaren was always attracted to the high-life. It was inevitable he'd gravitate to fashion. And so, nestled among the retirees and energy healers, Hamish stole from was another name: Lisa Ho. But had Hamish met his match in this high profile Sydney designer? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 15, 201935 min

S1 Ep 1The Day Max Died

E

Tracy fell in love with Max Tavita, a man who won her over with tales of a life in the investment world and how he was working in the World Trade Center in New York when the first plane hit in 2001. Then Hamish crashed into their lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 8, 201919 min

Introducing Who the Hell is Hamish?

trailerE

He was born Hamish Watson, a surfie dude from Sydney – but he could morph into whatever you needed him to be. Hamish is due to be sentenced to jail in early 2019 for swindling a handful of victims out of more than $7m. But these crimes are just the final pages in a resume too thick to staple; for decades he’s duped victims in the US, Canada, Britain, Hong Kong and Australia. How did he do it? How did he evade authorities around the world for so long and what’s he done with all those tens of millions of dollars he stole? On the trail of a serial conman. Who the Hell is Hamish? is an investigative podcast from the team that brought you The Teacher's Pet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 4, 20191 min
2026 News Corp Australia