❗Let's close the gap: We still need your help to raise $40,000 by April 1. Donate now
Meet the scammer
Jun 24, 2021
Season 4 | Episode 12

Meet the scammer

HTML EMBED:
COPY
How do you bounce back from getting scammed? Become a scammer yourself, obviously.

Victor was stressed.

Last June, his graduate engineering program had moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic — and he was nervous that he was going to fail a crucial exam. Victor knew if he failed he’d have to take the course again and, worse, tell his family he’d flunked.

So, he went searching for any way to pass this test.

“I started looking online on sites like Craigslist,” he said. “And I came across this dude that said that he would take college exams.”

For only 50 euros, a little less than $60, this guy would feed Victor answers during the exam. It seemed like a no-brainer.

But when test day rolled around, Victor’s personal cheater didn’t deliver the goods. He’d been scammed.

Most people would be upset, maybe even try to get their money back or track the scammer down. Instead, Victor felt inspired. Inspired to become a scammer himself.

Soon he’d made his 50 euros back and then some.

“If guys that are trying to cheat the system get cheated out of their money because of their maliciousness,” Victor said, “then it’s their loss and my profit.”

This whole season we’ve been looking into scams. Both literal scams and how the world is set up to leave people feeling cheated. On today’s show, the last of our season, we’re going to the other side of the equation. We’ll talk with Victor about how he set up his scam, how he covered his tracks and how he feels about what he did.

If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. To tell us what you thought about this episode, this season or anything else, drop us a line at 347-RING-TIU (347-746-4848), email us at uncomfortable@marketplace.org or fill out the form below.

To keep up with us in the off-season, subscribe to our newsletter! Each Friday you’ll get a note from Reema, a story from a listener and some recs from the Uncomfortable team. You’ll also be the first to hear about our new season. It’s all exclusively for our email list, so don’t wait! In case you missed it, here’s the latest issue.









The future of this podcast starts with you.

We know that as a fan of “This Is Uncomfortable,” you’re no stranger to money and how life messes with it — and 2023 isn’t any different.

As part of a nonprofit news organization, we count on listeners like you to make sure that these and other important conversations are heard.

Support “This Is Uncomfortable” with a donation in any amount and become a Marketplace Investor today.

The team

Megan Detrie Senior Producer
Hayley Hershman Senior Producer
Phoebe Unterman Producer
Marielle Segarra Producer
Camila Kerwin Producer
Serena Chow Intern
Marque Greene Producer

Thanks to our sponsors