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Scam Secrets podcast artwork
True Crime

Scam Secrets

by BBC Radio 4
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About the show

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. But if you know their secrets, you can spot the red flags before it is too late. 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. 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. Got a scam you want us to investigate? Email the team: scamsecrets@bbc.co.uk

Latest episodes

  • The 'Money Back' Scam

    September 24, 2026 · 28 min

    Being scammed once can be a devastating, life-changing experience. But the criminals we hear about on Scam Secrets don't care about that. They'll often come back for more, with bogus offers to help you get your money back. It's known as…

  • Mobile Handset Fraud

    September 17, 2026 · 28 min

    Being sent a shiny new phone when you weren't expecting one sounds great - but it most likely isn't. In this episode, the Scam Secrets team investigate mobile handset fraud - a widespread scam whereby criminals gain access to your telecoms…

  • The Power of Your Email

    September 10, 2026 · 28 min

    What's the name of your first pet? If a question like that holds the key to your email inbox, it might be time to beef up your security. In this episode, Shari Vahl, Dr Lis Carter and Alex Wood talk about why our emails are so valuable to…

  • How to Help Someone Who's Being Scammed

    September 3, 2026 · 29 min

    Your relative is in the grip of a scam. You can see it - but they can't. Would you know what to do? It's a situation you never want to find yourself in. And if you do, it can be hard knowing where to turn and how to help. This episode is…

  • QR Code Scams

    August 27, 2026 · 28 min

    Do you scan QR codes? Since Covid, they've become embedded in many aspects of our lives. But perhaps we're a bit too trusting of them. On this episode, Shari Vahl, Dr Lis Carter and Alex Wood hear how criminals are finding different ways…

  • Inside Report Fraud

    August 20, 2026 · 29 min

    What really happens when you report a scam? In this special episode, Shari takes a trip behind the scenes at the fraud reporting service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For years, this was called Action Fraud - and victims often…

  • The Customer Complaints Scam

    August 13, 2026 · 29 min

    Have you ever been desperately trying to contact a company to complain about shoddy service? Or needed to cut through the automated responses and speak to a human who can help? Most of us have - and the criminals have latched onto it. Scam…

  • How To Spot A Deepfake

    August 6, 2026 · 28 min

    Scam Secrets is back with a close look at deepfakes. Lots of the stories we hear involve victims being lured into scams by fake videos or photos of trusted people. Shari Vahl, Dr Lis Carter and Alex Wood hear what happened when a listener…