Scam Kings

Turbulent Bookworm Podcasts

The very first crime dens were the boardrooms. And our business helped feed their empire. They’ve stolen our trust; you should at least know their names. On Sunday afternoons, we highlight the rise and fall of the world’s more prolific white and red collar criminals. If you’re interested in the TRUE true crime, hit play on the latest episode of Scam Kings. HOST: Kershelle Mike, Turbulent Bookworm Podcasts

  • 30 minutes 22 seconds
    A Million Monopolies - The Jerome Jacobson Files (Revisited)

    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)

    16 January 2023, 10:00 am
  • 16 minutes 55 seconds
    Scam Kings: The Update
    An update
    5 March 2022, 8:55 pm
  • 7 minutes 8 seconds
    Tithes and Offering: The Vaughn Reeves Files

    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

    30 January 2022, 6:00 pm
  • 9 minutes 44 seconds
    Bloody Revolution: The Elizabeth Holmes Files

    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)

    23 January 2022, 6:00 pm
  • 7 minutes 58 seconds
    "Life Long and Murder!": The Vance and Rosie Baker Files

    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)

    9 January 2022, 6:00 pm
  • 9 minutes 58 seconds
    The More You Look: The Tom Petters Files

    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

    19 December 2021, 9:00 pm
  • 8 minutes 46 seconds
    S*icide Is Painless: The Samuel Israel Files

    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. 

    12 December 2021, 9:00 pm
  • 12 minutes 6 seconds
    Bon Appétit! - The Martha Stewart Files

    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

    5 December 2021, 9:00 pm
  • 12 minutes 35 seconds
    The Unbeliever: The Mark Hoffman Files

    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

    28 November 2021, 9:00 pm
  • 9 minutes 50 seconds
    The Leggings: The Lululemon Athletica Files

    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)

    21 November 2021, 9:00 pm
  • 5 minutes 10 seconds
    The Lifestyle He Wanted: The Kwamaine Forde Files

    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. 

    14 November 2021, 9:00 pm
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