Scams 360

This week, we discuss the seizure of $15 billion worth of Bitcoin and someone being scammed out of $230 million. Crypto scams are becoming more prevalent every day, so listen to find out how to protect yourself! 
 
Sources: 
https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-crime/billions-bitcoin-seized-doj-massive-pig-butchering-crypto-scam-cambodia
https://www.foxnews.com/us/dea-fbi-seize-10-million-cryptocurrency-directly-linked-sinaloa-cartel
https://markets.financialcontent.com/wral/article/breakingcrypto-2025-10-15-federal-authorities-seize-staggering-15-billion-in-bitcoin-unmasking-global-pig-butchering-crypto-scam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr-LPmg9oxQ
https://www.secretservice.gov/investigations/investmentfraud-pigbutchering
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/crypto-atms-profit-as-scammers-run-wild/ar-AA1Osz14?ocid=BingNewsSerp
https://boingboing.net/2024/10/22/man-loses-230m-crypto-fortune-after-falling-for-scammers-plot.html

This week, we discuss Facebook Marketplace and the common scams that occur when selling or buying on there. 
 
Sources: 
https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/1iatqqu/new_facebook_marketplace_scam/
https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/how-could-this-happen-to-me-fraud-victims-left-reeling-as-scams-cost-canadians-638m/
https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceCanada/comments/1g8xvnv/warning_lost_2000_to_a_td_bank_transfer_scam_when/
https://www.facebook.com/help/1156544111079919/
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/advice/day-to-day-banking/services/etransfer-fraud

This week, we discuss how ticket scams affect Canadians. After the number of scams the Eras Tour brought out, we wanted to prepare our listeners for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Listen to us discuss our own encounters with scammers and resellers and how to identify and avoid ticket scams. 
 
Sources: 
https://www.ticketleap.com/blog/how-to-avoid-ticket-scams/
https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/coldplay-concert-ticket-scam-facebook-b2633601.html

This week, we dive deep into Charles Ponzi's life and how the Ponzi schemes were invented. We discussed a new Ponzi Scheme that happened in Alberta and BC. 
 
Sources:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/ponzischeme.asp
https://globalnews.ca/news/9929191/edmonton-kelowna-ponzi-scheme-charges/
https://www.squamishchief.com/highlights/alleged-bc-ponzi-scheme-fraudster-identified-as-drowning-victim-9168281
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ponzi-scheme-charges-stayed-against-183916036.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Ponzi
https://marriott.byu.edu/magazine/faculty-research/how-to-spot-a-ponzi
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/fraud-data-breaches.html

This week, we are switching things up! We are discussing the Queen of Canada, her group, and her arrest. Scams come in different forms, even cults. 
 
Sources:  
https://globalnews.ca/news/11403316/queen-of-canada-freed-bail/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/queen-of-canada-richmound-school-ndp-review-1.7629335
https://www.ctvnews.ca/regina/video/2025/09/10/sask-ndp-calling-for-queen-of-canada-govt-response/
https://globalnews.ca/news/11403316/queen-of-canada-freed-bail/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/village-residents-divided-as-queen-of-canada-cult-remains-in-richmound-sask-1.7238282
https://globalnews.ca/news/11391128/saskatchewan-rcmp-richmound-investigation/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romana_Didulo

This week, we will discuss AI chatbots and how people are falling in love with them. Then, we dive into how they can be used for scams and how to protect yourself when dating online. 
Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
 
Sources: 
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/she-looked-like-kendall-jenner-whispered-sweet-nothings-and-lured-a-new-jersey-retiree-to-his-death/ar-AA1KDHtM?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=68a0a7e8d35344d9af4f5ef221cd9488&ei=9
https://www.ussfcu.org/media-center/security-corner/blog-detail-security-corner.html?cId=96630&title=ai-powered-romance-scams-how-to-spot-and-avoid-them
 

This week, we learn all about smishing. Listen to hear what messages we get all the time and what to look out for! 
 
Sources: 
https://globalnews.ca/news/11331071/scam-text-messages-canada-smishing/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-08-12-got-a-scam-text
https://www.aura.com/learn/can-you-get-hacked-by-responding-to-a-text-message#:~:text=Don't%20Panic!-,No%2C%20you%20can't%20get%20hacked%20by%20responding%20to%20a,be%20much%20harder%20to%20evade.

This week, we discuss heavy topics such as suicide. Please reach out to the National Suicide Help Line at 988 or online at 988lifeline.org for messaging if you are experiencing any problems. Kids Help Phone is also available for minors at 1-800 – 668 – 6868 or text 686868
 
We are discussing sextortion and how it has taken the lives of many young boys. Listen for information on how to handle these situations. 
Sources: 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/02/25/teenage-boys-mental-health-suicide-sextortion-scams/78258882007/
https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline#bythenumbers

This week, we are talking about buying houses and how AI can be used to scam you out of your own house! 
 
Sources:
https://fct.ca/inside-fct/fct-in-the-news-ai-is-driving-a-new-wave-of-real-estate-fraud#:~:text=The%20article%20highlights%20key%20findings,create%20highly%20convincing%20fake%20documents  https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-housing-market-artificial-intelligence-ai-scams  https://realestatemagazine.ca/ai-is-driving-a-new-wave-of-real-estate-fraud-report/  https://globalnews.ca/news/9437913/homeowner-impersonators-lined-32-fraud-cases-ontario-bc/ 

This week, we tell two stories of people being scammed into booking travel, then talk about personal experiences and give recommendations for safe travel.
 
Sources: 
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/nearly-one-third-of-canadians-have-fallen-victim-to-travel-scams-survey/
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/i-felt-like-crying-ontario-family-loses-17500-to-online-flight-ticket-scam/
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ontario-family-forced-to-pay-nearly-24k-out-of-pocket-after-ticket-broker-ghosts-them-overseas/
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/07/31/bbb-bc-warns-against-travel-scam/
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/07/06/bc-ferries-scams-warning/
https://vancouversun.com/travel/5-tips-avoid-vacation-scams