In this episode, Kelly sits down with Blair Cohen, founder of AuthenticID, for a fascinating look into how fraud has evolved and how technology is fighting back.

💡 From his early days in employment screening to launching a cutting-edge identity verification company, Blair shares his unique journey and deep industry insights.

🔍 What You'll Learn:

• How fraud has shifted from solo grifters to organized global networks
• The rising threat of synthetic identities, deepfakes, and AI-driven scams
• Why ethical considerations are crucial when developing fraud detection tech
• Blair’s work with the Identity Theft Resource Center and support for severe identity theft victims

💬 Whether you're a fraud professional, auditor, or just fascinated by the intersection of tech and cybersecurity, this episode is packed with insight you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Tune in and learn how to stay one step ahead in the ever-changing world of fraud.

Links:

Connect with Blair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-cohen/

AuthenticID: https://www.authenticid.com/about/

Blair Interview: https://pulse2.com/authenticid-profile-blair-cohen-interview/

Who is Government: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219551344-who-is-government

What happens when a true crime lover, travel industry insider, and ethical researcher combine forces? You get Vacations Can Be Murder - and in this episode, you’ll learn how it all came to life.

Kelly sits down with journalist and author Dawn Barclay, whose latest book blends dark tourism with meticulous storytelling. From haunted hotels to infamous gravesites and real crime scenes across New England, Dawn unpacks how she curates travel experiences rooted in true crime - without sensationalizing or crossing ethical lines.

In this episode, fraud pros will take away:

• How to responsibly research and present sensitive crime content
• Why victim resources are essential in true crime narratives
• The fine line between educational curiosity and exploitation
• Real-life case stories that influenced Barkley’s writing
• Insights into balancing public interest with privacy and respect

Plus, get a sneak peek into her upcoming regional guides, and why interest in dark tourism is growing.

If you're fascinated by the intersection of ethics, storytelling, and criminal history, this one’s for you.

Get Dawn’s Book: https://vacationscanbemurder.weebly.com/

Subscribe to her Substack https://barrsinister.substack.com/

Connect with Dawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbarclay/

Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnbarclayink.com/

http://www.dmbarr.com/

https://murderpedia.org/

https://www.sistersincrime.org/

https://jodemillman.com/

https://mysterywriters.org/

How do fraudsters convince people to hand over their life savings? And why do so many scams go undetected until it’s too late?

In this episode of Fraudish, we dive into the dark world of investment fraud with Stephen Kirk, Chief Internal Auditor for the Illinois Department of Transportation and author of A Betrayal of Trust. Steven has spent years unraveling Ponzi schemes, asset pooling scams, and securities fraud - cases where victims often lose everything. Stephen formerly led a team of compliance auditors for the Securities Department when he uncovered the frauds discussed in this episode.

He shares the red flags every investor should know, the ethical dilemmas in financial crime, and how compliance loopholes allow fraud to thrive. Plus, we get a glimpse into his upcoming books and how writing helps him process the emotional toll of his work.

If you want to protect yourself from financial fraud, this episode is a must-listen.

Connect with Stephen

Betrayal of Trust book

https://brokercheck.finra.org/

Yellowbook CPE