Pretend
True crime podcast review — 2026
"Pretend fills a gap between true crime and social psychology — it's not about blood, it's about belief, and why we want to trust people who are lying to us."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Fans of financial crime and corporate misconduct stories
About this podcast
Deep dives into con artists, fraudsters, and grifters. Less violence, more psychology — Pretend examines why people deceive, how they get away with it for so long, and what that reveals about the people who believed them. 2026's Chain of Command season investigates a secretive church branding itself a 'ministry to the military' operating near US bases worldwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pretend
What is Pretend about?
Deep dives into con artists, fraudsters, and grifters. Less violence, more psychology — Pretend examines why people deceive, how they get away with it for so long, and what that reveals about the people who believed them. 2026's Chain of Command season investigates a secretive church branding itself a 'ministry to the military' operating near US bases worldwide.
Is Pretend worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Worth a listen". Deep psychological dives into con artists and fraudsters — the why, not just the what.
Who is Pretend for?
Pretend is ideal for: Fans of financial crime and corporate misconduct stories.
What is the best episode of Pretend to start with?
Start with whichever case title sounds most interesting to you.
What podcasts are similar to Pretend?
If you enjoy Pretend, you might also like: Anatomy of a Scam, The Missing Cryptoqueen, Hunting Warhead, The Retrievals. See our full "Podcasts Like Pretend" page for more recommendations.
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- United States
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