Season 2, Episode 13: The First Internet Serial Killer: ”Anyone You Want Me to Be” by John Douglas and Stephen Singular

The internet can certainly make daily tasks more convenient. We can do our shopping online, apply for jobs online, and even look for love online. But how can you know for sure that someone you meet on the internet really is who they say they are? Former FBI profiler John Douglas of Mindhunter fame has teamed up with true crime author Stephen Singular to bring us a cautionary tale of multiple women who thought they met the man of their dreams online, only to find themselves in a deadly nightmare.

You’ve probably never heard of John Robinson, who made history for being the first serial killer known to find his victims on the internet. I certainly hadn’t heard of him, even though he was a very, very prolific criminal who fooled dozens of unsuspecting victims. Join me and my guest Carrie Kerskie, a private investigator and fraud expert, as we talk about romance scams, phishing attacks, and how to stay safer online.

For more information, check out these resources:

Carrie's website

Credit protection Tip Sheet

Carrie's podcast

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report your scam online with the FTC complaint assistant, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET).

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