I really like the concept of this pod because I find scams psychologically fascinating. I wd like to see this pod succeed. But first they should ditch the hokey dramatization. It's a distraction and is unnecessary because a quick narration of the scene wd do nicely.

I really wanted to stick with this one, because I find these types of stories absolutely fascinating. But this podcast is so very tiresome. I just can’t do it anymore. I barely made it through the first three episodes and only with a lot of fast forwarding. The cringy ‘acting’, the insipid writing of mostly unnecessary scenes, the woman-power-all-men-are-awful crap, the stilted narration…all of it. I just can’t. 😣

The main Canadian victims featured in the podcast seem to care much more about giving law enforcement a detailed record of their extensive detective work than explaining current situations in a comprehensible manner, if at all. I feel for these people and believe they are trying very hard to do the right thing. Their efforts end when it comes to learning about the Canadian legal system, even when professionals attempt explaining it to them while doing their job. (It makes sense law enforcement wants to get them off the phone when the victims, rightfully outraged, refuse to have a conversation.) The dynamic the documentarians and victims create with law enforcement is frustrating, exhausting, and disappointing. Overall, the podcast unnecessarily sacrifices the actual laws at the time in order to tell a female empowering story when they could have maintained their narrative alongside thoughtful critiques in order to create the legal system they expected to find. If you enjoy a fun, feminist true crime story, give it a listen. If you are looking for a thought provoking podcast, maybe skip this one (unless you’re desperate).

Canada law enforcement should be abolished for this! Why are they there if they are not going to do something!? Of country the US isn’t much better but for financial crimes we do have more recourse than what has been provided in all of these cases. Does Canada have something like the fbi? Would love to know if y’all have reached out to the CSIS or other agencies that may have more of a reach… maybe this is addressed in season two. 🤞🏼 I love the podcast & stand with the victims 🩵🩷💜

Interesting story & ok podcast. The acting is not as bad as some say but can be a little distracting and funny. They make you want to root for the bad guy lol.

I like these true stories and find them interesting and great cautionary tale . The dramatization is terrible though . Just have the real people tell the story. Also I hate to victim blame and know these cons very good at it , but often the woman are so foolish is unbelievable. I get being conned the first few times , but this guys stories get preposterous and falling for them about 10 x in row involving him just somehow not having the money he promised in a couple days over and over and them forking over thousands over and over gets exasperating. I’ve known plenty of liars and manipulators. I had a boyfriend who made up pity stories.like illness and people dying . I figured it out fairly soon at 20 years old . These are grown women .

But can we get a photo of this guy posted somewhere so everyone can be on the lookout for him? And so no one else gets conned?

The story is compelling and the reason I keep listening. The journalism seems good but the re-enactments are just mind bogglingly awful. I’ve stopped listening a few times because of them, but then I keep pushing to hear what happens. Not only are they corny and cringy, but the French accents are so bad. Keep the compelling stories and interviews with the people involved- drop the acting, or if you must read something like a text message read it in the narrators voice. This would easily increase my review to a 4 or 5. Such a shame.

I was hooked and empathetic and rooting for justice, but the last 2 episodes where they’re failing to grasp the complex nature of the crime, despite it being patiently articulated to them is nearly as mind boggling as the crimes. They’re convinced they’re handing a open and shut case up to the police “on a platter” yet, it’s not that they’re investigating child abuse and rapes in undermanned departments. No, they’re twiddling thumbs and hiding nefarious motives to cover for the con man. I mean, what is to keep all of Lauren Sanchez’s partners from saying that she’s a scammer and scammed them out of money and homes? I mean, she is a serial benefactor from relationships. The con men are exploiting the victims and the law. If yall go into law enforcement and backburner violent crimes to jump in your squad car and chase down every disgruntled phone call with a lengthy dramatic story about a friend who’s boyfriend talked them into making a purchase on your credit card and not paying you back, god help us. Try putting your legal minds to work on the justice system and advocating for adequate resources.

The dramatization is so cringe-worthy. Way to ruin what could have been a good series.

Really enjoy this podcast but the dramatizations are distracting to the story and events that transpired. I think this podcast would be better without the dramatizations.

Story sounded intriguing but turned it off with the silly bad acting.

The content is captivating and the story draws you in, but the dramatizations were amateurish and detracted from the experience. Would love to hear more from this group, but omit the dramatizations.

An interesting case forsure & some great interviews & sound bites. Makes me very confused why some episodes are over half way just dramatizations? Very poorly done ones with goofy accents who make it feel like the women are ridiculous for believing him. Really hope this creator avoids them in the future as there is some good true crime journalism forsure.

It’s a great case, it’s so outrageous that there’s not a law that can protect victims of con artists. The production is kinda good but the reenactment is awful. It’s get frustrating cause the interviews are better

Well researched and I hope the victims do get some justice. However I challenge you to listen to episode 4 and not think of Inspector Clouseau in the pink panther movies 😂 I would agree with the other reviewers. The dramatizations were not a good choice. The podcast would have been much better without them. Hopefully this team will do another podcast and forgo the dramatics.

This would’ve been a terrific podcast, so shame on whoever made the creative decision to demean these women’s stories by inserting cringeworthy dramatic re-creations of major events in the scam timeline. It’s as if the victims got shafted twice.

Love the story- can’t stand the dramatizations