Scam Secrets will publish weekly from 31 July. Subscribe on BBC Sounds so you never miss an episode.
You can also email the Scam Secrets team - tell them which scams you want them to unpick: scamsecrets@bbc.co.uk</p>
Scam Secrets
Claim This Podcastby BBC Radio 4
4.5(11 reviews)
24 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧
Podcast Overview
<p>It might look like a perfectly ordinary message. It could come from someone you thought you trusted. Or it could be a phone call that catches you off guard. Whatever the method, the goal is the same. They want your money.</p><p>But if you know their secrets, you can spot the red flags before it is too late.</p><p>Shari Vahl, who has investigated fraud for the BBC for 20 years, is joined by the criminologist and forensic linguist, Dr Elisabeth Carter, and Alex Wood - a former criminal who now tries to stop scams - to dissect the shadiest techniques criminals use to steal your cash. </p><p>In each episode, they dig deep into a different scam, with first-hand accounts from the people targeted, forensic analysis of the techniques and mind games being used - and even secret recordings of the scammers themselves. Scam Secrets will publish weekly from 31 July. Subscribe on BBC Sounds so you never miss an episode. You can also email the Scam Secrets team - tell them which scams you want them to unpick: scamsecrets@bbc.co.uk</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
7/25/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Scam Secrets
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
June 4, 2026
The Instagram Takeover Scam
<p>An old friend is posting about how well his investments are doing - and he's offering you the chance to get involved too. Would you know what to do?</p><p>In this final episode of the series, the Scam Secrets team unpick a fraud which ripped through a group of close mates. One by one, their Instagram accounts were infiltrated as, believing they were chatting to a friend, they handed over their login details, hoping to join a crypto investment scheme. But that gave the criminals all they needed to take over the account and use it as a platform to try the same trick on all their followers. </p><p>It's a modern day pyramid scheme that plays on the victims' desire to make money and their trust in their friends.</p><p>Scam Secrets will be back later in the year. In the meantime, you can contact the team at scamsecrets@bbc.co.uk.</p><p>PRESENTER: SHARI VAHL</p><p>PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY</p>
May 28, 2026
The Knock at the Door
<p>A roofer's at your door - they've spotted a couple of loose tiles and they can fix them straight away. It's only a quick job. Would you know what to do?</p><p>Almost all of the scams we've dissected so far have been done remotely - on the phone, by text or online. But what if the criminal is standing right in front of you - perhaps even inside your home? That's what the Scam Secrets team are looking at in this episode. Because while criminals have embraced the digital world and AI, they'll still steal from you face to face too - and many of the techniques are the same.</p><p>We hear from Jane, who got one of those knocks on the door from a 'roofer' - before long, she'd had thousands of pounds stolen by criminals who even used a fake video of birds on her roof to try to steal more.</p><p>It's not just rogue traders though - who can resist helping someone in need? We'll hear what happens when a man approaches people at a motorway service station with a simple-sounding request for help...</p><p>PRESENTER: SHARI VAHL</p><p>PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY</p>
May 21, 2026
The Trial Shift Scam
<p>A group of young jobseekers are gathered outside a dental surgery in West London, nervously waiting for a trial shift for the job they've just applied for. But as time ticks on, they realise there is no shift. In fact there is no job. But it gets much worse - their identities have all been stolen. </p><p>Shari Vahl and the Scam Secrets team hear from one of those people, Joe. For him, the real impact of what the criminals had done only hit home several months later.</p><p>What started as a plausible looking job posting on a big recruitment site, from a business that checked out, ended with him trying to extract himself from thousands of pounds' worth of loans and the lingering fear of what the criminals would do next.</p><p>It's a growing scam aimed at anyone browsing online recruitment sites. Would you spot the red flags?</p><p>Remember you can get in touch with the Scam Secrets team: scamsecrets@bbc.co.uk</p><p>PRESENTER: SHARI VAHL</p><p>PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY</p>
24 total episodes available
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
File on 4
BBC Radio 4
Sliced Bread
BBC Radio 4
Shadow World
BBC Radio 4
What's Up Docs?
BBC Radio 4
Marianna in Conspiracyland
BBC
Life Changing
BBC Radio 4
Lives Less Ordinary
BBC World Service
Money Box
BBC Radio 4
The History Podcast
BBC Radio 4
AntiSocial
BBC Radio 4
The Archers Omnibus
BBC Radio 4
The Archers
BBC Radio 4
Woman's Hour
BBC Radio 4
The Gift
BBC Radio 4
When It Hits the Fan
BBC Radio 4
Deep-dive analytics for Scam Secrets
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 Scam Secrets?
<p>It might look like a perfectly ordinary message. It could come from someone you thought you trusted. Or it could be a phone call that catches you off guard. Whatever the method, the goal is the same. They want your money.</p><p>But if you know their secrets, you can spot the red flags before it is too late.</p><p>Shari Vahl, who has investigated fraud for the BBC for 20 years, is joined by the criminologist and forensic linguist, Dr Elisabeth Carter, and Alex Wood - a former criminal who now tries to stop scams - to dissect the shadiest techniques criminals use to steal your cash. </p><p>In each episode, they dig deep into a different scam, with first-hand accounts from the people targeted, forensic analysis of the techniques and mind games being used - and even secret recordings of the scammers themselves. - 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.