Scam calls. Scam texts. Scam everything. This week on Fraudish , I’m talking with Alex Quilici , CEO of YouMail , and let me tell you—we cover it all . From robocalls to text scams to the rise of "romance baiting" (yes, we’re rebranding “pig butchering”), Alex breaks down what’s really going on behind that unknown number blowing up your phone. We also dig into: Why younger people fall for scams more often than you'd think Easy ways to protect your privacy (hint: secondary numbers are your friend...
Jun 03, 2025•30 min
This week, I’m joined by my friend and audit pro Elizabeth McCormick. We chat about her unexpected path into internal audit, starting her own company Audit Forward, and how tools like Power Query and AI are changing the game. Elizabeth also gets real about growing up with congenital hearing loss and how it’s fueled her push for disability inclusion in the profession. We cover fraud, ethics, embracing failure, and why showing up as your full self matters more than ever. 🔗 Connect with Elizabeth:...
May 27, 2025•37 min
You know I love a good career plot twist, and this week’s episode has plenty! I’m joined by Dean Baratta, an intelligence analyst with a background that includes retail banking, WeWork, and more. (Yes, that WeWork.) We talk about Dean’s unconventional path into the world of intelligence and ethics, what he’s learned about fraud along the way, and how AI is shaking things up faster than you can say “ChatGPT.” In this episode: What his time at WeWork taught him about red flags, ethics, and charism...
May 20, 2025•42 min
Women can be criminals too! This episode of Fraudish I speak with Angie Gad of GadIntel all about why society are biased again women… in a good way? Or is it bad? Let’s get into it! Angie shares her journey from growing up in a post-9/11 era as a child of Arab immigrants in New Jersey to her impactful career in intelligence and counter-terrorism. She has a rather unexpected entry into intelligence and our discussion touches on the importance of creativity and critical thinking in intelligence wo...
May 13, 2025•35 min
In this episode of Fraudish , Kelly sits down with forensic accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner Candy Bellau , whose journey into the world of fraud is anything but typical. From never picturing herself as a forensic accountant to building a career in the field, Candy brings heart, humor, and a whole lot of real talk . We dive into the personal side of fraud—because let’s face it, there’s always more to the story. Candy opens up about her own family’s history with fraud (yes, it’s complicate...
May 06, 2025•45 min
Think OSINT is just glorified Googling? Think again. In this episode, I chat with Claudia Tietze, a creative technologist who went from film and theater to fraud-fighting. We dig into how OSINT actually works, why creativity matters in investigations, and how AI and ethics collide in this weird little world. Plus, Claudia shares her take on trend spotting and her work building a better OSINT community with Valor. Connect with Claudia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/supersecretsquirrel/ Claudia's Me...
Apr 29, 2025•48 min
In this episode of Fraudish , Kelly sits down with the one and only Matt Kelly to talk all things compliance … and trust us, it’s more than just rules and regulations! We kick things off with a big question: Do you need to be a lawyer to work in compliance? The answer? Well… it depends. (Yep, we said it.) But this convo goes far beyond JD requirements. Matt shares his take on how the evolving political landscape is quietly shaping the compliance profession—and why organizational culture matters ...
Apr 22, 2025•31 min
In this episode, Kelly sits down with Blair Cohen, founder of AuthenticID, for a fascinating look into how fraud has evolved and how technology is fighting back. 💡 From his early days in employment screening to launching a cutting-edge identity verification company, Blair shares his unique journey and deep industry insights. 🔍 What You'll Learn: How fraud has shifted from solo grifters to organized global networks The rising threat of synthetic identities , deepfakes , and AI-driven scams Why ...
Apr 15, 2025•32 min
What happens when a true crime lover, travel industry insider, and ethical researcher combine forces? You get Vacations Can Be Murder - and in this episode, you’ll learn how it all came to life. Kelly sits down with journalist and author Dawn Barclay , whose latest book blends dark tourism with meticulous storytelling. From haunted hotels to infamous gravesites and real crime scenes across New England, Dawn unpacks how she curates travel experiences rooted in true crime - without sensationalizin...
Apr 08, 2025•35 min
How do fraudsters convince people to hand over their life savings? And why do so many scams go undetected until it’s too late? In this episode of Fraudish , we dive into the dark world of investment fraud with Stephen Kirk, Chief Internal Auditor for the Illinois Department of Transportation and author of A Betrayal of Trust . Steven has spent years unraveling Ponzi schemes, asset pooling scams, and securities fraud - cases where victims often lose everything. Stephen formerly led a team of comp...
Apr 01, 2025•54 min
This week, Kelly sits down with Dana Timmerman, a seasoned private investigator and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) expert, to explore the critical thinking skills behind fraud investigations. Dana dives into cases and how deep social media and asset analysis can expose deception. He shares his personal journey into the world of investigations - fueled by a life-changing experience searching for his daughter. From ethical dilemmas to bias awareness, Dana breaks down the mindset investigators ne...
Mar 25, 2025•45 min
What if the word “whistleblower” conjured up something more powerful than a piercing whistle? This week’s guest thinks it should—and she’s leading the charge to reframe what it really means to blow the whistle. In this episode of Fraudish , Kelly speaks with Jackie Garrick , founder of Whistleblowers of America and author of Be a Giraffe . Jackie opens up about her own experience as a whistleblower and what it takes to stand tall in the face of retaliation. She shares the emotional toll of speak...
Mar 18, 2025•39 min
In this episode of Fraudish , Kelly sits down with Doug Cash , a seasoned forensic accountant and fraud investigator at EideBailly LLP , to explore the ins and outs of catching financial criminals. From his early days in law enforcement to handling complex embezzlement cases in the private sector, Doug shares the twists and turns of a career built on exposing the truth. You’ll hear: 💼 Doug’s path from cop to CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) 🔍 The emotional and ethical weight of fraud investigati...
Mar 11, 2025•37 min
Do you have a personal brand? Yes, you. Yes... even investigators need brands! Luckily Kate Marston is on to help investigators develop their brands and get creative with their investigative careers. Key points discussed: The importance of branding for investigators Kate's career trajextory from the Metropolitan Police to Burberry (yes, like the jackets!) The need for proper training in investigations, especially for HR professionals The value of creativity and context in investigative work The ...
Mar 04, 2025•38 min
In this episode of Fraudish , Kelly sits down with Mark O'Riordan, a seasoned polygraph examiner with a background in federal law enforcement and corporate investigations. Mark pulls back the curtain on the mechanics and psychology of polygraph tests, separating fact from fiction and breaking down what really constitutes a lie. From working with at-risk youth to serving in the Secret Service and eventually launching his own investigative firm, Mark shares his fascinating career journey. He also ...
Feb 25, 2025•42 min
In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly interviews Everett Stern, an anti-money laundering compliance officer and whistleblower who exposed HSBC Bank's intentional money laundering practices benefiting terrorists and drug cartels. Stern shares his experiences in the financial industry, his journey as a whistleblower, the immense personal and professional challenges he faced, and his ongoing efforts to combat corruption through his companies Tactical Rabbit and Stern Cybersecurity. They also touch on ...
Feb 20, 2025•37 min
In this special episode of Fraudish , I sit down with two experts in investigative interviewing—Mark Anderson, founder of Anderson Investigative Associates, and Colton Seale, a seasoned investigator with a background in counterterrorism and the FBI. Together, we explore the art and science of effective interviews, uncovering how creativity and psychology play a crucial role in uncovering the truth. Colton shares a gripping case from his time at the FBI, where an unconventional approach helped cr...
Feb 04, 2025•46 min
This week on Fraudish , host Kelly is joined by James Rumph, a forensic accountant and fraud consultant at Schneider Downs, for a deep dive into the world of fraud prevention. James shares his unique career journey, from earning multiple fraud-related degrees to working with the FBI, and offers expert insights into the evolving field of fraud detection and ethics. They explore: How behavioral science shapes fraud prevention strategies. The importance of skepticism and thorough testing in combati...
Jan 28, 2025•45 min
It’s 2025 and we need to talk about AI. Kelly speaks to Chief Product Officer at Tracklight, to discuss the impact of AI on fraud detection and prevention. Amanda recounts her career journey from aspiring lawyer to law enforcement officer, then making significant leaps into tech startups and AI-driven fraud prevention. She emphasizes the importance of using AI to think like fraudsters for proactive measures, detailing how Tracklight leverages AI for public benefit programs. Amanda also offers ad...
Jan 21, 2025•39 min
In this episode of Fraudish , Kelly Paxton sits down with David Taxer , cybersecurity expert and author of Shadows of Eden , for an insightful conversation on the intersection of technology, fraud, and human behavior. David shares his unconventional path from tech enthusiast to penetration tester , revealing how an insider fraud case shaped his career. Together, they dive into: Fraud ethics and how gender influences the appeal of white-collar crimes The role of curiosity and pattern recognition ...
Jan 14, 2025•33 min
What's futurism and how is it related to fraud? This week on Fraudish, Kelly speaks with Sam Radocchia, a self-proclaimed futurist, who shares fraud insights from her unique background in anthropology and technology. Sam explains how her journey led her to become a futurist, highlighting key experiences such as her involvement with blockchain, AI, and virtual worlds like Second Life. The conversation also touches upon economic disparities, the impact of technology on fraud, and the emergence of ...
Dec 31, 2024•39 min
Ever thought about your school Lunch Lady? Do you think she was capable of crime? Maybe she even stole your lunch money… This episode of Fraudish, Kelly is joined by Emily Azzarito, to discuss her insightful paper “Lunch Ladies and Pink-Collar Crime.” Emily shares her personal journey from classical musician to attorney, and the inspiration behind her paper, which explores cases like the New Canaan lunch ladies and high-profile women such as Martha Stewart and Elizabeth Holmes. The conversation ...
Dec 17, 2024•37 min
In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly sits down with Allison Lagosh from Saifr to delve into the dynamic world of compliance, risk management, and fraud in the age of artificial intelligence. Allison shares her inspiring journey from pursuing a legal career to becoming a leader in the fintech startup space, offering invaluable insights for professionals navigating these complex fields. Topics covered include: The impact of generative AI on the financial industry. Key regulatory challenges tied to A...
Dec 10, 2024•31 min
You’re gonna want to listen to the end of this one for a poem that will change your whole perspective on fraud. This week on Fraudish Kelly speaks with Melody Bruns for an insightful discussion into her impressive background and her transition from the FBI to the private sector. The episode delves into gender dynamics in embezzlement and the distinctions between men's and women's roles in white-collar crimes. Melody shares her journey to founding Pivot Point Consulting, which offers strategic an...
Dec 03, 2024•33 min
In this episode, Kelly interviews Mark Varacchi, a self-identified former Ponzi schemer who shares his captivating story. Mark discusses his background, including his time at Tiger Management, his gambling habits, and the six-and-a-half-year limbo period before his sentencing. He also talks about his experiences in federal prison consultancy, explaining how he aids others going through the justice system. Links: Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-varacchi/ Mark's Website: https:...
Nov 26, 2024•43 min
Dr. Mark Nigrini, famed for his work on Benford's Law, is on Fraudish discuss key aspects of fraud detection and prevention. The episode dives into the implications of AI on future fraud and the importance of understanding key fraud patterns. Nigrini is the author of Forensic Analytics (Wiley, 2011) and Forensic Analytics Second Edition (2020) which describes analytic tests to detect fraud, errors, estimates, and biases in financial data. He is also the author of Benford's Law (Wiley, 2012) whic...
Nov 19, 2024•37 min
This episode on Fraudish Kelly speaks Erik Halvorson a life long learner and soon to be Doctor, who shares his extensive journey from joining the Air Force to becoming Chief Data Scientist at Tracklight. Erik delves into the evolution of fraud detection techniques, emphasizing the importance of data analytics, behavioral psychology, and social network analysis in combating modern fraud schemes. The conversation provides practical advice for investigators and a peek into the future of technology ...
Nov 12, 2024•45 min
Kelly speaks to Thomas Cronkright to discuss his unconventional journey after being defrauded in a wire fraud scheme. Tom details a harrowing and complex fraud case involving a criminal syndicate, his personal experiences with financial crime, and the subsequent creation of Certified, a company designed to combat real estate fraud through advanced technology. Tom and Kelly also explore social engineering’s evolution, the impact of AI on fraud, and the importance of proactive measures in preventi...
Oct 31, 2024•48 min
This week on Fraudish Kelly speaks with Javier Leiva about the disturbing and multifaceted case of LaDonna Humphrey. The discussion covers LaDonna's alarming behaviors, including stalking, gaslighting, and mismanagement of a nonprofit. Every person LaDonna touches, she ruins. Who is your LaDonna? Connect with Javier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javierjleiva/ Listen to the podcast: https://pretendradio.org/ https://whyy.org/segments/the-greatest-hoax-on-earth/...
Oct 29, 2024•36 min
This week on Fraudish Kelly speaks with Lyndee Fletcher, President of Vcheck Global. Lyndee is an expert in the public record and reputational due diligence industry. Lyndee is the youngest President in the reputational due diligence industry. Kelly and Lyndee get into what the venture capital industry is like, how venture capital uses open source intelligence, Adam Newman, the Chicago Mob, and more! Connect with Lyndee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndee-fletcher/ Check out Vcheck G...
Oct 22, 2024•31 min
