Scam Kings

The McDonald's scam documentary, "McMillions" (HBO, 2020) would be the first time that many would hear the name Jerome Jacobson. Having snuffed just around $24 million from under their noses, one would think that more would have been known about one of the biggest scams of the century. This week we reexplore how Jerome Jacobson got away with the biggest con at the turn of the century. We revisit this episode as part of the Scam Kings refix. Song of the Week: "Ice and Fire" by King Canyon (YouTube Library, 2022)

An update

No One: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom...." Vaughn Reeves: "With a few minor changes...that Bible could be SPITTIN'" Press PLAY to hear of another instance where someone uses faith to fulfill their selfish means even when it means hurting others. Theme Song: Dreams Become Real (Kevin McLeod) SUPPORT THE SCAM KINGS PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/scamkingspod

Elizabeth Holmes was on the edge of something revolutionary. She had come up with a machine that could diagnose patients through a singular drop of blood. She excited the medical world with the idea of the contraption, getting them to invest millions of dollars into what would be the future of blood testing. Except, The Edison didn't exist. Click PLAY to hear how Elizabeth Holmes dashed the hopes of everyone everywhere by selling a top dollar facade for over a decade. Theme Song: Dreams Come True (Kevin Mc Leod)

Mother and son, Vance and Rosie Baker ran a Medicare scheme disguised as a home health care service for just over a decade when one of their contractors came knocking. But it would be one of their own that would help sink the entire operation in what would eventually result in his murder. Click PLAY to hear how this deadly duo cut out the middle man. THEME SONG: Dreams Become Real (Kevin McLeod)

If you were in the appliance business at the time, the Petters Group was one of those names that you just couldn't escape in the late 90s, early 2000s. They were involved with brands that everyone wanted to get their hands on...and for cheap. But it was more guns than roses at this business as what seemed to be an empire was actually a crumbling sandcastle. Except no one told the king. Click Play to hear the story of Tom Petters and how his business came crashing down around him without a warning shot. Interview with Tom Petters - https://tcbmag.com/the-tom-petters-interview-plausible-deniability/ Theme: Dreams Become Real - Kevin McLeod

The Israel family is one of New York's most well known empires. Coffee trading skyrocketed their linage to prominence in the 20th century and, to some extent, they are still there. Although now, there is definitely a duality to their fame. Click Play to hear about Sam Israel III who relaunched his family into the spotlight. This time, infamously.

Bring your plates over for a slice of one of the hottest throwback cases in modern scamming history. Martha Stewart established herself as the Queen of Kitchens very early on with her many book releases, television shows, and deals. But in 2004, all that came crashing down around her when she made the sale of a lifetime at the worst possible moment. Press Play to re-live the tale that shook early 2000s kitchens around the world. Theme Song: Dreams Become Real - Kevin McLeod

Mark Hoffman was once renowned as a top collector in the Church of the Latter-Day Saints. Every find corroborated the holy origin of the church and brought legitimacy to their cause. But when Mark can't pony up on documents that are integral to the faith and some of his old finds come into question, he decides to protect himself and his sham of a legacy through murder. Click Play to hear the tale also captured in Netflix's Murder Among the Mormons about this scammer turned murder who almost single-handedly ruined the LDS church. Theme Song: Dreams Become Real - Kevin McLeod

Lululemon, famous for its stylish comfortable leggings and mom-centered ambassadorship program, isn't the wholesome onion that it tries to portray. Press Play to find out how this yoga brand became known for its racism, dishonesty and its......seaweed? Theme song: Dreams Become Real (Kevin McLeod)

Kwamaine Forde was the employee of a celebrity operating out of Georgia. As the celebrities assistant, he had access to thousands of his boss' mutuals and used them to build his personal piggy bank. Hit Play to hear how Kwamaine Forde made a killing off the famous and how he got caught in the end.

Season Two of Scam Kings delves into the tale of a scam of epically tasty proportions. Jerome "Uncle Jerry" Jacobson finds himself at the center of one of the largest food scams ever recorded when he finds a way to trick the system into winning every single time. Click Play to hear how this security guard when from good guard to godfather in a matter of meals. Theme song: "Dreams Become Real" by Kevin McLeod (Used under a YouTube Music License).

The season finale covers the event that rocked stock markets all across the world. The effects of this multi-billion scheme were rivaled only by the global economic crisis of 2008 and continue to affect hundreds of persons today. This is the story of Bernie Lawrence Madoff. Press Play to hear this outrageous tale.

I didn't look at my calendar right and so this week you get a bonus episode. Hit Play to hear how the Eiffel Tower was sold twice and how the French government never even knew.

To this day, American gangster, Al Capone, remains one of the most feared names in the underworld. He built an empire that still lasts even beyond the grave. In movies, myths and merchandise, he remains a constant presence. The fascination with his life culminates in the way that he was finally felled: tax evasion. Press Play as we discuss, in brief, the circumstances behind his defeat and demise.

Very few people can make me hate them with any degree of intensity but Sante Kimes always did have a knack for making things happen for her. Hit 'Play' and delve with me into the mad tale of a woman and son who went all out to be on top.

The November 2004 murder of Peter Porco consumed the headlines right up until his son's conviction in 2006. The parricide revealed many twists and turns eventually running back to the root of all evil. Hit 'Play' as we uncover the details of this sordid tale.

Feel-good stories on social media help restore faith in humanity. In all the turmoil, it's a fantastic reminder that we are real and we are here. And while the reward is often in endorphins, sometimes they can be monetary as well; the tendrils of its love forever plague it. And it can cause people to do terrible things indeed. Here's Part 2 of the 2017 story of Katelyn McClure, Mark D'Amico, Johnny Bobbitt, and the GoFundMe scheme that shocked the nation by hitting the Play icon.

As the season winds down, we discuss how the season is going to end and how we will be moving forward.

Feel-good stories on social media help restore faith in humanity. In all the turmoil, it's a fantastic reminder that we are real and we are here. And while the reward is often in endorphins, sometimes they can be monetary as well; the tendrils of its love forever plague it. And it can cause people to do terrible things indeed. Check out Part 1 of the 2017 story of Katelyn McClure, Mark D'Amico, Johnny Bobbitt, and the GoFundMe scheme that shocked the nation by hitting the Play icon.