In 1998, the rivalry between Stanford University and UC Berkeley escalated to kidnapping and hostage videos. But in the geeky tradition of both colleges, it was actually a tree-napping. Some Cal frat bros, calling themselves The Phoenix Five, stole the Stanford mascot (…but really, they stole our hearts). Hijinks ensued! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most people spice up their boring lives with fun hobbies or social events. That wasn't enough for Lawrence Bader. He went and made himself a whole new life, this time as Omaha, Nebraska's hippest bachelor. Flagpole sitting, war injuries, hearses, pillow piles -- his new life had it all! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
He was not a real rock star but Robb TaLLLLL University played one in his fantasies. In reality, Mr. University lacked star power or musical talent. Kinda a shame, but he was one helluva bank scammer. He made millions as a pretend rock star. Too bad no one really dreams of growing up to be a bank scammer! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Everybody loves an entertaining exiled royal. And when that royal is exposed as a fraud? Everybody still loves him! From slinging lies in Brooklyn to slinging fancy strawberry desserts for Hollywood celebrities, Prince Mike lived one ridiculous life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Like Ricky Bobby, he was a pretend NASCAR driver — only this was no movie. L.W. Wright was a fake racer in real life who took on the legends of NASCAR by scamming his way onto the track at Talladega. “Shoot, this story should be a movie!” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A city as fabulous and sinister and romantic as Venice, Italy, deserves a fabulous, sinister, and romantic cat burglar. The ultra wealthy were honored to be his target, and he was happy to take their priceless works of art (and the occassional cashmere sweater). His crimes were almost as egregious as Elizabeth's butchering of the Italian language. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The song is the band’s most popular. The legends, the conspiracies, and lore that surrounds the song are incredible. But the legal struggles, inspired criminals, and cocaine antics take center stage as we focus on the Eagles and Hotel California. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do you get when you mix millions of dollars in gems, stolen cars, wigs, international crime families, a French detective, and 800 Serbians? You get a heist gang Inspector Clouseau couldn't imagine in his wildest dreams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
🎶 Oh yes, he was the Great Impostor. (Woo-woooo) 🎶 His government name was Fred Demara, but he rarely used that. Unlike most crimers with his particular skillset, Fred used his powers for good — he liked to heal others. For instance, that time he had to perform 19 surgeries because he was pretending to be a doctor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It has to be bad mojo to steal a religious artifact, and especially bad mojo if it's a sainted body part. Ireland, it seems, has a problem with this. Will the perpetrators be caught? God only knows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Murf the Surf was an all-star midcentury party boy turned criminal folk hero. Bob Dylan loved his style. Murf and his partner got famous for stealing JP Morgan’s gem collection. But a freelance-writing used car salesman was the true hero; and he’s the one who eventually saves the day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries sure wouldn't help a lot. Sometimes you want to go where nobody knows your name and they're never glad you came. This is the story of a guy who did just that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
He was an ultra secret agent, working with the Supreme Court, a cabal of generals, and a very disagreeable Bill Clinton clone, to bring justice and a huge fortune to US farmers. At least, that’s what Roy Schwasinger told crowds at his $300 seminars, where he lightened the wallets of gullible “free men.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Like Elmyr de Hory before him, Wolfgang Beltracchi loved painting other artists' works. The "lost" masterpieces were a hot commodity, generating riches for Beltracchi and the rest of the art world. He could forge the works of any genius painter, but he couldn't forge a simple label. Oh, well. It was fun while it lasted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oasis was “the biggest band in the world.” Meanwhile, Liam and Noel Gallagher — the brothers who were the heart of the band — despised each other. This gave the band a creative tension. And it made their crimes against each other… ridiculous. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Raised in a criminal family, Bobby Comfort was destined for a felonious future. When he paired up with a buddy for some high-end hotel robberies, things were looking good. He planned "one last heist," but that planning failed to take into account the apex predator of the crime world: the mafia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
She is America’s Greatest Living Jewel Thief. Her career criminal exploits date back to black and white movies. Only Diamond Doris never let racism get in the way of her living the high life as an international bon vivant. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You put your Social Security Number all over the place: magazine ads, billboards, websites. What could go wrong? Lots. But what if you own a company that protects people from identity theft? Doesn't matter. Crimers gonna crime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carlos Kaiser had it made — he was a handsome professional footballer in Brazil, and he played for all the top clubs in Rio, as well as abroad. There was only one problem: King Carlos was terrible at soccer. He was the “greatest footballer who never played football.” But that’s how he made his living, conning the world of professional soccer… for 26 years! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When a charismatic preacher went missing in the ocean off Venice, California, all hope was lost for her safe return. Almost. What followed was a chaotic tale involving a non-Dave producer, TRAINS, Arizona, goggles, and a woman with no left thumb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Rude Dudes send emails. We share them. Get ready for some onions, the rainbow bridge, Spam, texts to entire cities, and one fantastic gorilla suit. Plus Talkbacks from the iHeart app! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
He was zee best con artiste en zee 90s, no? Frenchman Christopher Rocancourt took Los Angeles by storm, rubbing elbows with celebrities and emptying the bank accounts of the wealthy and gullible. But when he took his act on the road to the Hamptons as a phony heir to an enormous fortune, they saw right through him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do you do when you look just like the dictator of North Korea? You make it work for you as a celebrity impostor. And if you’re Howard X, you use it to free a Zelensky lookalike from the war in Ukraine, with the help of a fake Putin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bill McCoy was a man of adventure, a romantic, an innovator, and a gentleman. He also ran illegal booze into the United States, flouting the law and sailing the high seas. That is, until the Coast Guard showed up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
She was an epic badass. She was the fastest woman alive, after she broke Amelia Earhart’s records. She also ran the Happy Bottom Riding Club for flyboys and future astronauts, that is, until J Edgar Hoover and the Air Force went to war against…Pancho Barnes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A legend. A boss. A queen. Stephanie St. Claire ran Harlem's baddest numbers game, thumbing her nose at the mob. Her elegant life took a turn, though, when she married an audacious con artist. Was hooking up with Black Hitler a wise move? What do you think. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 1955, one man attempted to control the price of onions in America – to do that he created an illegal onion cartel and then together they cornered the market and drove the prices. It was like Trading Places for onion futures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Four amateur crime bros look to make the score of a lifetime -- stealing rare books from their college library. It goes about as well as you'd imagine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You'd never believe that an 18-year old buying sandwiches and shoes with a stolen credit card would grow up to be legendary celebrity Stephen Fry. But he did! The actor, comedian, writer, and historian was an honest to goodness teen criminal, one who went on a multi-county spending spree on other people's dimes (well, quid). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A talented artist is even more talented at forgery. He crosses paths with the rich, famous, and fabulous, and his forgeries are eventually forged themselves. Truly and wonderfully ridiculous, no? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
