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Chameleon: Scam Likely artwork

Chameleon: Scam Likely

Campside Media / Sony Music Entertainment·Hosted by Yudhijit Bhattacharjee·10 episodes

NewsSocietyCultureDocumentarySerialized investigationScam story35-40 min/epReported true crimeStart from oldest

When a small team of government investigators learns that ordinary citizens all around the U.S. are losing their life savings to scam callers, they go on the hunt for the shadowy multinational mob behind the con, unraveling their plot from strip malls in suburban Texas to office towers in one of India's largest cities. In the season four of Chameleon, host Yudhijit Bhattacharjee retraces the steps of the cops and the crooks, and goes deep into the Indian underworld looking for the alleged masterminds who got away. Chameleon: Scam Likely is part of The Binge - subscribe to listen...

Why listen

Chameleon: Scam Likely turns a familiar nuisance, scam phone calls, into a globe-spanning investigative story about victims, informants, federal agents, and the call-center networks behind the fraud. Host Yudhijit Bhattacharjee follows the case from U.S. suburbs to India with a documentary pace that rewards listening in order. It is a strong fit for listeners who like serialized true crime, financial scams, and reported stories where the machinery of a crime matters as much as the criminals.

Series(1)

Episodes

1 min
Nov 19, 2024
Inside the High-Stakes Secrets of ‘Lady Mafia’

Sara King lived large as 'Lady Mafia,' but what caused it all to come crashing down? Host Michele McPhee unravels the secrets behind Sara King's high-roller life and high-stakes crimes - with the help of Lady Mafia herself. Search for 'Lady Mafia' wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes right now, completely ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 min
Aug 5, 2024
The Hunt for the Psychic Scammer Who Robbed Over a Million Americans

What would you do if one handwritten letter from a psychic promised to change your life forever? This is the story of 1 million hopeful Americans, the global scam that took $200m from them, and the mastermind who managed it all by sending out thousands of letters a week. Investigative journalist Rachel Browne exposes the shocking details of this massive scam on this season of Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written - available now wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes right now, completely ad-free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 min
Mar 5, 2024
Cover Up: The Anthrax Threat - The Hidden Story Behind the Bioterror Panic

In 2001, a series of letters laced with a deadly powder called anthrax appeared on the desks of prominent journalists and politicians in New York City and Washington D.C causing a national panic. But what started as an unprecedented case soon turned into an unsettling mystery. Who had sent these letters? And why? Join us as we trace the FBI’s costly investigation into the attacks, all with an eye toward the question that remains today: Did the FBI identify the true killer, or is this case still unresolved? Unravel the story the played out behind closed doors on Cover Up: The Anthrax Threat, listen now wherever you get your podcasts Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes of Cover Up: The Anthrax Threat right now, completely ad-free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 min
Feb 5, 2024
Chameleon Returns: Inside The Plot to Kidnap the Governor of Michigan

In the Fall of 2020, 14 men were arrested for allegedly conspiring to kidnap the governor of Michigan. Americans were shocked to hear the news of the foiled plot but were left to wonder - what really what happened here? Find out on this season of the award-winning podcast, Chameleon: The Michigan Plot. You’ll eavesdrop in on this group of alleged kidnappers through the actual wire recordings (that have never been heard by the public) from the FBI informant that infiltrated it. Unravel the story behind the headlines on Chameleon: The Michigan Plot, listen now wherever you get your podcasts Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes of Chameleon: The Michigan Plot right now, completely ad-free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 min
Nov 6, 2023
Missing Person or CIA Cover-Up? The Disappearance of Gary Devore

When LA screenwriter Gary Devore mysteriously disappears in the summer of 1997, weird coincidences lead family and friends to believe he may have been a victim of foul play -- possibly because of his mysterious ties to the CIA. Gary was on the way home from finishing his latest script, which was allegedly going to be based in part on real events that occurred during the American invasion of Panama, and that script vanished along with him and his vehicle. In Season 5 of Witnessed: Fade to Black, host Josh Dean — along with journalist Evan Wright and producer Megan Donis — investigates one of the most infamous missing person cases in Hollywood history.  Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes of Witnessed: Fade to Black right now, completely ad-free. Catch new episodes of Witnessed: Fade to Black every week wherever you get your podcasts or subscribe to The Binge and unlock all episodes ad-free today. Just click ‘Subscribe’ on the top of the Witnessed show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 min
Oct 2, 2023
Who is 'The Horse Queen'? The Secrets Behind the Scammer That Ruined Dixon, IL

It's the 1990's and in the world of show horses - Rita Crundwell was the name on everyone's lips. Known as "The Horse Queen," she was the proud owner of hundreds of champion quarter horses on her ranch outside the small city of Dixon, Illinois. But something wasn't adding up with Crundwell's equestrian empire. A shocking FBI investigation revealed a decades long scam that Rita was running from inside the halls of Dixon City Hall, a scam that drained the town completely dry. How did this horse crazed criminal get away with the largest municipal embezzlement in American history? Reveal the secrets of The Horse Queen on the new season of Crooked City: Dixon IL. Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes of Crooked City: Dixon, IL right now, completely ad-free. Catch new episodes of Crooked City: Dixon, IL every week wherever you get your podcasts or subscribe to The Binge and unlock all episodes ad-free today. Just click ‘Subscribe’ on the top of the Crooked City show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen. A Truth Media & Sony Music Entertainment production. Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 min
Sep 11, 2023
Portrait of a Con Artist: Unraveling the Art World's Greatest Deception

For years, Helge Achenbach has been among the world’s most successful art dealers. But with one treacherous move, he lands in prison. In Season 6 of Chameleon: Gallery of Lies, host Bijan Stephen sets out on the international trail of the most famous criminal you’ve never heard of. With unprecedented access to an ex-con, Bijan attempts to solve the riddle of who Helge really is—and who he might become. Subscribe now to unlock all shows on The Binge and you’ll be the first to access Chameleon: Gallery of Lies as soon as it drops on September 1st. A Campside Media & Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 min
Aug 1, 2023
The Dark Secrets of "The White Devil" in Smoke Screen: Betrayal on the Bayou

For almost two decades, DEA Special Agent Chad Scott ruled the streets just North of New Orleans. He controlled a network of snitches by convincing people he arrested to work for him as informants. Chad would stop at nothing to put drug dealers behind bars. His successes won awards at the DEA, but his willingness to bend the rules earned him a terrifying reputation on the streets. Some called him the Golden Boy. Others called him the White Devil. But when one of guys on Chad's team is caught dealing drugs, Chad’s life is overturned. His right-hand men betray him and confess everything to the FBI. Investigators go over his career with a fine-toothed comb, asking the question: is Chad Scott the greatest DEA Agent in the South, or is he a criminal? Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes of Smoke Screen: Betrayal on the Bayou right now, completely ad-free. Catch new episodes of Smoke Screen: Betrayal on the Bayou every week wherever you get your podcasts or subscribe to The Binge and unlock all episodes ad-free today. Just click ‘Subscribe’ on the top of the Smoke Screen show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen. A Neon Hum & Sony Music Entertainment production. Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 min
Jul 3, 2023
Assassins, Heists, & Nazis: The Untold Story of the Abortion Pill in America

You may have heard of the abortion pill, especially in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year. But the story of how the pill became legal in America is closer to an action film than to a courtroom drama—with covert operations, heists, and even murder. On the new season of Cover Up: The Pill Plot, travel   back to the ‘90s and join the ragtag group that plotted an international drug   smuggling scheme and set up a secret lab to get the abortion pill to America. Get a front row seat to the epic struggle facing activists who battled presidents, the Supreme Court, militant anti-abortionists and so much more. Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes of Cover Up: The Pill   Plot right now, completely ad-free. Catch new episodes of Cover Up: The Pill Plot every week wherever you get your podcasts or subscribe to The Binge and unlock all episodes ad-free today.  Just click ‘Subscribe’ on the top of the Cover Up show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen. A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

37 min
Jan 18, 2023Episode 8
Hunt the Masterminds

Host Yudhijit and producer Johnny travel to Ahmedabad, India to find the fugitives who got away and finally unearth the whole truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

36 min
Jan 18, 2023Episode 7
Take the Deal

The arrested scammers start to plead guilty, but can Dave, Kris, and Dylan get their hands on the biggest mastermind of all? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

35 min
Jan 18, 2023Episode 6
Get the Bad Guys

DHS investigators Dave, Kris, and Dylan have tracked the scam for three years. Now it's time to take it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

37 min
Jan 18, 2023Episode 5
Tell the Cops

Scam callers Pawan and Jayesh decide to turn on their bosses and inform  American authorities, but it turns out an Indian police officer is already hot on the trail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

40 min
Jan 18, 2023Episode 4
Find the Evidence

Investigators Dave, Kris, and Dylan finally get a complete picture of the scam—but will anyone help them go after the criminals at the center of it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

36 min
Jan 18, 2023Episode 3
Meet the Callers

Two young Indian men, Pawan and Jayesh, get a job offer that seems too good to be true, and soon find themselves in the middle of the scam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

37 min
Jan 18, 2023Episode 2
Chase the Runners

Dave and Kris, now with the help of fellow investigator Dylan, surveille the on-the-ground scammers in the U.S. and get closer to unraveling the conspiracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

38 min
Jan 18, 2023Episode 1
Follow the Money

DHS investigators Dave and Kris investigate a rash of scam calls and find out the plot is far bigger and more complicated than they could have ever imagined. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 min
Jan 18, 2023
Introducing... Chameleon: Scam Likely

When a small team of government investigators learns that ordinary citizens all around the U.S. are losing their life savings to scam callers, they go on the hunt for the shadowy multinational mob behind  the con, unraveling their plot from strip malls in suburban Texas to office towers in one of India's largest cities. In the latest season of  Chameleon, host Yudhijit Bhattacharjee retraces the steps of the cops and the crooks, and goes deep into the Indian underworld looking for the alleged masterminds who got away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Listening context

Casual listening
Best for: commutes, long drives, evening listening, housework
Tone: investigative, cinematic, tense, journalistic

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