Stolen Podcast

Life After the Tinder Swindler: Romance Scam Survivor Cecilie Fjellhøy (Ep 13)

Romance scam survivor Cecilie Fjellhøy, made famous by Netflix’s The Tinder Swindler, joins Erin West to expose the real cost of online fraud — and why justice is still out of reach for victims.
In this powerful episode of The Stolen Podcast, Erin and Cecilie dive deep into:
What really happened in the Tinder Swindler romance scam
The psychological tactics scammers use to trap victims
Why victims of fraud are ignored — or even criminalized — by law enforcement
How romance fraud survivors can fight back
Cecilie’s new Netflix series Love, Con, Revenge
Building a nonprofit to help other victims navigate the system
This is not just a story about one scam. It’s a roadmap of what happens when a financial crime destroys your life — and no one shows up to help.
🎥 Watch The Tinder Swindler on Netflix📅 Watch Cecilie’s Netflix new series Love, Con, Revenge🛡️ Visit Cecilie’s nonprofit at LoveSaid.org
 
 

Inside the Scam State: Cambodia's Criminal Economy with Jacob Sims (Ep 12)

In this jaw-dropping episode of Stolen, Erin West sits down with Jacob Sims—one of the most brilliant and fearless voices in the global fight against human trafficking and financial crime. Together, they unpack the explosive truth about how Cambodia has become the epicenter of next-gen fraud, fueled by a shadow economy of pig butchering scams, forced labor, and elite corruption.
From the streets of Phnom Penh to high-level policy failures, Sims breaks down how a multi-billion-dollar scam industry took over half of Cambodia's GDP—and how powerful state actors are not just complicit, but actively profiting.
If you’ve ever asked, “Who’s behind all these scams?”—this is the episode you can’t miss. Spoiler: it's not a whodunit. It's a who's-already-doing-it.

Trapped in a Myanmar Scam Compound: Small Q's Fight for Freedom (Ep 11)

From Uganda to Myanmar: A Journey of Resilience and Hope
Join Erin West as she delves into the harrowing yet inspiring story of Small Q, a gospel artist from Uganda. Discover how Small Q was lured by false promises of work abroad, only to find himself trapped in a scamming camp in Myanmar. Through resilience and faith, he navigated unimaginable challenges and emerged with a mission to raise awareness about human trafficking.
Small Q's initial journey from Uganda in search of better opportunities. The shocking reality of being trapped in a scamming camp. The role of faith and music in Small Q's survival and healing. Efforts to raise awareness and combat human trafficking.
Guest:
Small Q, Gospel Artist and Activist
#HumanTraffickingAwareness #Resilience #GospelMusic #Inspiration #pigbutchering #scam #transnationalorganizedcrime
Subscribe now for more powerful stories of hope and resilience.

How a Minnesota Police Officer Fights America's Biggest Scams: Jake Tuzinski (Ep 10)

This episode explores how a Minnesota police sergeant became a cryptocurrency crime investigator after discovering Bitcoin scams targeting elderly victims in his community, ultimately developing blockchain investigation techniques that help law enforcement agencies nationwide. Sergeant Jake Tuzinski discusses pig butchering scams, cryptocurrency ATM fraud prevention, digital asset recovery methods, and the formation of a law enforcement coalition that has recovered over $3 million from crypto scammers while providing victim support and closure.

Crushing Scams with Legislation and Education: Aleks Ring (ep 9)

In this episode of Stolen, Erin West and Aleks Ring discuss the complexities of transnational organized crime, focusing on the role of forensic accounting, community education, and legislative advocacy in combating scams and protecting victims. They explore the challenges posed by cryptocurrency and the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and community members to address these issues effectively.
Takeaways
Transnational organized crime includes human trafficking and financial scams.
Forensic accounting is crucial in disrupting criminal financing.
Community education can significantly increase crime reporting.
Crypto ATMs pose unique risks and require public awareness.
Building relationships with local law enforcement is essential.
Legislative advocacy is necessary for victim protection.
Train the Trainer programs empower communities to combat scams.
Collaboration among law enforcement agencies enhances investigation efforts.
Open-source tools can aid in tracing cryptocurrency transactions.
Education and awareness are key to preventing financial crimes.
 
 

Keep Consumers Cafe against Crypto ATM Fraud: Detective Matt Hogan (Ep 8(

Erin West and Matt Hogan discuss the complexities of financial crimes, the role of technology, and the impact on victims. They explore various scams, including job scams and cryptocurrency-related fraud, and emphasize the importance of law enforcement's role in combating them.
The conversation highlights the need for collaboration among law enforcement, legislation, and community resources to effectively address financial crimes and support victims.

Episode 7: The Psychology of Scams: Understanding Manipulation with Dr. Martina Dove

In this episode of Stolen, Erin West speaks with Dr. Martina Dove, a psychologist specializing in the study of scams and human behavior. They discuss the psychological manipulation techniques used by scammers, the impact of scams on victims, and the societal consequences of eroded trust. Dr. Dove emphasizes the importance of empathy in interventions with victims and provides insights into the evolving nature of scams, highlighting the need for updated awareness and education.

From Trust to Betrayal: A Cryptocurrency Journey — Part 2 of Carina's Story (Ep 6)

The Dark Side of Online Romance: Carina's Story, Part 1 (Ep 5)

In this episode of the Stolen Podcast, Erin West delves into the harrowing experience of Carina, a victim of the pig butchering scam. The conversation explores the psychological manipulation employed by scammers, the emotional connections formed during the scam, and the devastating financial consequences that ensue. Carina demonstrates how she went from one of her lowest moments to corralling her confidence, her resilience and emerging stronger.

Unmasking Digital Crime: Voices from the Front Lines — Michele Ilich-Daubas (Ep 4)

In this episode of Stolen, host Erin West delves into the complex world of transnational organized crime with special guest Michele Ilich-Daubas.
Erin shares her experience at a conference by the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration in combatting financial crime. Michelle, who works at a small police department in Norwich, Vermont, discusses her role in educating her community about scams and her involvement in Operation Shamrock.
Together, Erin and Michele talk about the importance of empathy and proper language when dealing with crime victims, the challenges and strategies in tracing cryptocurrency, and the crucial role of 'Survivor Stories' in understanding the impact of these crimes. This episode is a compelling exploration of the underbelly of digital crime and the importance of community awareness and law enforcement education.
00:00 Introduction to Transnational Organized Crime02:51 The Importance of Collaboration in Financial Crime05:47 Michelle's Journey into Crime Prevention09:05 Understanding Pig Butchering Scams12:00 Navigating Cryptocurrency Investigations14:46 The Role of Survivor Stories19:07 Language Matters in Victim Support22:55 Educating Law Enforcement on Scams27:10 Community Engagement and Awareness30:07 Empathy in Addressing Victimization33:53 Conclusion and Call to Action
I giant thank you to our first sponsor: TRM Labs
 
TRM Labs - Blockchain Investigations & Risk Management -Investigate, monitor, and detect crypto and digital asset fraud and financial crime
 
TRM Labs
stolenapodcast@gmail.com
 
Michele Ilich-Daubas is a former senior legal analyst and records custodian turned crypto fraud fighter and public speaker. Dedicated to fighting the devastating and, unfortunately, prolific crime of pig butchering, her passion lies in the education of the public, especially the elderly, of the tactics used by scammers to lure individuals into these schemes. By focusing on what makes a person vulnerable, her hope is to empower potential victims with the awareness that when something does not feel right, to allow themselves a moment to stop, breath and think before reacting. And ultimately, it is her desire to bring the devastation caused by this crime to the attention of Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram) where these crimes are committed extensively through fake accounts and false advertising and convince Meta to join forces with Operation Shamrock to raise the level of awareness for both the public and our legislators, shining a blinding light on the scammers’ sole goal: To strip the United States of its generational wealth.
 
Operation Shamrock
 
#stolenapodcastwitherinwest #erinwest #operationshamrock #pigbutchering #cybercrime #organizedcrime #transnationalorganizedcrime #stolenpodcast #stolenapodcast #scams #fraud #TRM #TRMLabs #survivorstories #trainingthetrainers #locallawenforcement