Heists, Scams & Lies
Claim This Podcastby The Crime Desk
Podcast Authority
Beta
Podcast Overview
<p>David Ames was a twice-bankrupt double-glazing salesman from Basildon with dreams of building a Caribbean property empire. His company, Harlequin, promised ordinary investors luxury resort properties at bargain prices – their slice of paradise and financial security.</p><br><p>Over nearly a decade, more than 8,000 people handed over £400 million. Many bet their entire pension pots on Ames' vision.</p><br><p>But behind Ames’ slick marketing pitch lay financial chaos and systematic deception. While investors waited for dream properties, their money funded pirate ships, imported sand that washed away with the tide, and eye-watering sales commissions.</p><br><p>From a local newspaper investigation that exposed the scheme to the Serious Fraud Office's decade-long pursuit of justice, this is the story of how thousands lost everything betting on one man’s vision. </p><br><p>Featuring exclusive interviews with victims, investigators, and industry insiders, The Lost Caribbean Millions reveals the human cost of one of Britain's biggest investment frauds. </p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/11/2025
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
Podcast Authority
BetaRecommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
See how your show performs across every key metric
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
3 verified contact emails on file for Heists, Scams & Lies
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
October 30, 2025
Walter Mitty | Episode 5
Hosts George Odling and Andy Jehring examine the claims of innocence from the family of convicted fraudster David Ames, exploring the troubling question of genuine belief versus elaborate denial regarding the Harlequin operation.
October 23, 2025
The Wreckage | Episode 4
This episode of Heists, Scams & Lies reveals how David Ames's Harlequin properties empire collapsed, costing 8,000 investors nearly £400 million as independent financial advisors profited from pushing the properties.
October 16, 2025
The Storm Hits | Episode 3
Investigators explore the Harlequin business, discovering threatening letters and tips to the Serious Fraud Office as David Ames faces a choice impacting thousands of investors.
14 total episodes available with 14 transcripts
Recent guests on Heists, Scams & Lies
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Jay Rutland
Guest
Detective Constable Andrew Payne
Guest
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
Charlene
The Crime Desk
The Trial
The Crime Desk
The Trial of Erin Patterson
The Crime Desk
Scamfluencers
Audible
Infamous
Campside Media / Sony Music Entertainment
Uncover
CBC
British Scandal
Audible
Smoke Screen: My Fugitive Dad
Sony Music Entertainment
Project Mind Control
Always True Crime
The Trial of Diddy
The Crime Desk
The Opportunist
PodcastOne
Witnessed: Fade to Black
Sony Music Entertainment
Deep Cover: Never Seen Again
Pushkin Industries
The Perfect Scam
AARP
Queen of the Con
iHeartPodcasts and AYR Media
Deep-dive analytics for Heists, Scams & Lies
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Heists, Scams & Lies?
<p>David Ames was a twice-bankrupt double-glazing salesman from Basildon with dreams of building a Caribbean property empire. His company, Harlequin, promised ordinary investors luxury resort properties at bargain prices – their slice of paradise and financial security.</p><br><p>Over nearly a decade, more than 8,000 people handed over £400 million. Many bet their entire pension pots on Ames' vision.</p><br><p>But behind Ames’ slick marketing pitch lay financial chaos and systematic deception. While investors waited for dream properties, their money funded pirate ships, imported sand that washed away with the tide, and eye-watering sales commissions.</p><br><p>From a local newspaper investigation that exposed the scheme to the Serious Fraud Office's decade-long pursuit of justice, this is the story of how thousands lost everything betting on one man’s vision. </p><br><p>Featuring exclusive interviews with victims, investigators, and industry insiders, The Lost Caribbean Millions reveals the human cost of one of Britain's biggest investment frauds. </p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.