PRETEND
A true crime podcast about con artists, scammers, and the people they fooled.
What Is PRETEND?
PRETEND launched in June 2017 with one question: how do people get away with it?
Not violent crime. The kind where someone smiles at you, earns your trust, and walks away with your money, your identity, or your sense of reality. Eight years and 300 episodes later, that question still drives every story.
Each episode is reported and fact-checked, with legal review when the story calls for it (see editorial standards). The cases have ranged from infamous fraudster Frank Abagnale to a nursing home empire that imploded under its own greed, a hedge fund that drained millions from retirees, a presidential pardon system being brokered like a commodity, and “The Stalker”, a whodunit about a Peoria, Arizona family’s years-long stalking claims that ended with police tracing the messages to inside the family’s own home. Other multi-part investigations include “Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey”, Chain of Command, The Gypsy Rose Obsession, The Prank, and Word of Faith Fellowship.
PRETEND has held steady at the top of the true crime charts across multiple countries. The reporting has been adapted for Netflix’s “Don’t Pick Up the Phone” and Discovery+‘s “Citizen P.I.” (see PRETEND On Screen), and covered by the New York Times and the BBC.
Javier Leiva
Javier Leiva is an independent investigative journalist and the host and creator of PRETEND. He also hosts Criminal Conduct and The Ponzi Playbook.
Drawing on two decades of TV and marketing experience, Leiva knows how to pull listeners into stories of crime and deception that feel uncomfortably real. He has peeled back the layers on Frank Abagnale, shared his own encounter with a cult, and produced “The Stalker,” a 23-episode investigation into a Peoria, Arizona stalking case.
His work sits at the intersection of journalism and narrative. He reports and writes every episode, working with two producers and a researcher. The reporting has landed in the New York Times and the BBC, and been adapted for Netflix and Discovery+.
He holds four Midsouth regional Emmy Awards for his commercial work in television. He is based in Raleigh, NC. Full bio →
PRETEND on a Spotify billboard in Times Square, New York City.
Frequently Asked
What is PRETEND about?
PRETEND covers con artists, scammers, impostors, and large-scale fraud. Each episode follows a real case from the inside: who ran it, how they pulled it off, who got hurt, and what happened when it unraveled. The show has been running since June 2017 and covers everything from individual grifters to systemic corruption at the highest levels of government and business.
Where can I listen to PRETEND?
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and this site. New episodes come out regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen so you don't miss one.
How many episodes are there?
More than 300 episodes across 25 seasons, going back to June 2017. The full archive is on the episodes page.
Who hosts PRETEND?
Javier Leiva, an independent investigative journalist based in Raleigh, NC. He has written, reported, and produced every episode since the show launched in June 2017. He also hosts Criminal Conduct and The Ponzi Playbook.
Has PRETEND been featured in major media?
Yes. The reporting has been adapted for Netflix's "Don't Pick Up the Phone" and Discovery+'s "Citizen P.I." — see the full adaptations page for details. Coverage has appeared in the New York Times and the BBC, among others. The show has charted in the top of the true crime genre across multiple countries.
Is PRETEND suitable for all audiences?
PRETEND is for adults. Episodes deal with fraud, financial crime, and government corruption, and some go into abuse and violence. Those episodes carry a content warning at the top.
How can I support the show?
Patreon is the best way. Supporters get early access, bonus content, and direct contact with Javier. Leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and sharing the show also helps more than most people realize.
How do I submit a tip or story idea?
Email javier@pretendradio.org. If you know about a fraud or scam that deserves a closer look, send it over. Everything is reviewed and treated confidentially.
Can I advertise on PRETEND?
Yes, for the right fit. Email javier@pretendradio.org with what you have in mind.