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**PRETEND**

PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web.

Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons

PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling.

Featured in lists of the best podcasts about con artists and scams, PRETEND investigates crimes of persuasion, trust, and betrayal. New episodes drop regularly with stories that reveal how manipulation shapes modern life, both online and off.

PRETEND is produced by Creative Babble, LLC.

© 2026 Creative Babble LLC

[CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]

Latest Episodes:

1405: The Pests part 5 Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

In this bonus episode, we pick up where we left off, diving into the events leading up to the much-anticipated August 24th contempt of court hearing involving Patrick Tomlinson.

In our previous episode, we shared the suspenseful build-up to this critical date, where Patrick faced potential jail time for failing to pay the legal fees of the opposing party. In our last interview. Patrick had made it clear that he had no intention of making the required payment.

So, what happened on August 24th contempt of court hearing? Patrick showed up with his attorney, and so did one of his relentless tormentors, Dan Mullen, who shared his account of a tense courtroom encounter.

Intriguingly, Patrick filed a motion just days before the hearing, outlining his demands to the court. He requested a postponement and a closed, private hearing held over video conferencing due to safety concerns. This was in response to online chatter suggesting some of his foes planned to attend in person.

But the drama didn't end there. Patrick made a bold claim in his motion, alleging the identity of his online nemesis, "quasi101," and hinting at a familial connection to a federal judge, all without providing any evidence.

However, the outcome of the hearing surprised many. Both sides agreed on a payment, and Patrick paid the court-ordered debt, amounting to $32,709.80, satisfying this particular legal obligation.

The big question now: Does this payment signify a truce in this long-standing online feud?

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Criminal Conduct Season 4 - Getting Away with Murder Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

A mother's anguish resurfaces as her son's convicted killer is set free due to a jury verdict reversal by a judge. This is the story of Pravin Varughese.

Binge all 9-episodes ad-free:

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1404: The Pests part 4 Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

There are always two sides to every story. In part 4, listen to my interview with the online forum administrator. We discuss the ongoing legal battle with Patrick Tomlinson and why Patrick may go to jail over this feud.

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Binge all 9-episodes of CRIMINAL CONDUCT ad-free:

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PRETEND+ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985

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1403: The Pests part 3 Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

WARNING: This episode contains language and disturbing content. Listener discretion is advised.

Sci-Fi Writer Patrick Tomlinson Loses Harassment Lawsuit Against Online Forum, Faces Hefty Legal Fees

Patrick Tomlinson, known for his imaginative works in the science fiction genre, took a stand against the onaforum's vicious gangstalking attacks, hoping to end the torment he endured for over five years. However, the court ruled against him, leaving him without the justice he sought and burdened with paying the site owner's legal fees.

Listen to all 4 episodes early and ad-free:

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1402: The Pests part 2 Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

WARNING: This episode contains language and disturbing content. Listener discretion is advised.

Police Storm Sci-fi Writer's Home 42 Times in "Swatting" Campaign

Wisconsin science fiction author Patrick Tomlinson and his wife have been living a nightmare, enduring years of terror as cyber stalkers repeatedly sent police to their doorstep in a relentless "swatting" campaign. The couple, who claim to have experienced this terrifying ordeal 42 times, describes the chilling encounters with officers storming their home with guns drawn, handcuffing Tomlinson in his front yard, and even alleging that he had killed his wife. The reason for this campaign of terror, they say, stems from a trivial online criticism of the late comedian Norm Macdonald, leading to a series of threatening messages encouraging the author to take his own life.

Listen to all 4 episodes early and ad-free:

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio

PRETEND+ (Apple Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985

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1401: The Pests part 1 (Gang stalking) Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

WARNING: This episode contains language and disturbing content. Listener discretion is advised.

Wisconsin Author Faces Cyberstalking Nightmare After Tweeting that Norm MacDonald Isn't Funny.

Wisconsin science fiction author Patrick Tomlinson and his wife have been living in fear for years, enduring a relentless campaign of terror orchestrated by cyberstalkers, all stemming from a seemingly innocuous tweet about the late comedian Norm Macdonald. Tomlinson's criticism of the "Saturday Night Live" comic as not funny ignited a firestorm of online harassment, including threatening emails, voice messages, and disturbing Reddit posts urging him to harm himself.

Listen to all 4 episodes early and ad-free:

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio

PRETEND+ (Apple Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985

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The Stalker - Interview with the Doctor part 16 Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

This is the episode you've been waiting for!

While we've primarily heard from Tanya and Rick Fernandez's perspective, it's time to introduce you to a key figure in this fascinating case: Dr. Grace Gressman (not her real name). As a central player, Dr. Gressman holds valuable insights into the stalker's actions. What is her connection to the Fernandez family? What does she have to say about the mysterious messages?

In today's episode, we finally hear Dr. Gressman's story.

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1310: Love and Taxes (plus Stalker update) Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

The IRS knocked on John Coutu's door, demanding $80,000.

Jennifer Mitchell, his girlfriend, offered to handle John's taxes. At first glance, it seemed like a simple act of love. Little did he know that this act of goodwill would lead him down a treacherous path of deception and impersonation.

Unbeknownst to John, Jennifer never actually filed his taxes and instead fabricated an elaborate web of lies. She even went as far as impersonating the IRS to fool John into believing everything was in order. But John's story doesn't end there. As he bravely speaks out, it becomes evident that Jennifer's peculiar scam has also ensnared others.

Today, we explore the complexity between love and taxes.

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1309: The Pale-Faced Lie part 2 Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

Previously on PRETEND, we heard the story of David Crow and his criminal father, Thurston. In today's episode, we delve deeper into "The Pale-Faced Lie," a memoir about growing up as his father's accomplice.

David's father, Thurston Crow, lived a life of crime: stealing, lying, and killing anyone who stood in his way. And right beside him, the whole time, was his young son David. In this episode, hear David's story of overcoming a life of crime and trying to understand why the one person he trusted most in the world took advantage of him.

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1308: The Pale-Faced Lie part 1 Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

David Crow says he was his father's criminal accomplice.

In today's episode, we delve into the extraordinary story of David Crow, author of the book titled "The Pale-Faced Lie." It's the story of a father and son entangled in a life of crime.

David recounts his experiences as his father's criminal accomplice, always by his side. And what it was like growing up with a violent and convicted felon who used the Native American reservation as a refuge to evade his enemies.

This episode is the story of a young boy grappling with his place in the world, torn between his father's influence and his desire for a different path.

The Pale-Faced Lie part 2 is now available on PATREON and PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast.

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PRETEND

WARNING: This episode contains language and disturbing content. Listener discretion is advised.

Sci-Fi Writer Patrick Tomlinson Loses Harassment Lawsuit Against Online Forum, Faces Hefty Legal Fees

WARNING: This episode contains language and disturbing content. Listener discretion is advised.

Police Storm Sci-fi Writer's Home 42 Times in "Swatting" Campaign

Wisconsin Author Faces Cyberstalking Nightmare After Tweeting that Norm MacDonald Isn't Funny.

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