Call Me ‘Fernando’ – Ep. 48

An email arrives in a nonprofit CEO’s inbox. The gist: An “investor” is interested in the work you do. He has connections to some of the country’s wealthiest people, and he’d like to leverage those connections to help you raise funds. The email looks legit, sounds promising, and a quick internet search raises no immediate red flags associated with the individual or his company. At least, not at first. BUT ... if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, right? So the savvy CEO keeps digging and not only uncovers the con, but also the real name of the con artist who very charmingly introduces himself with the line, “Call me Fernando.” 

 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1    7:00 Topic of the Week: Escaping con artists. 

• Topic #2  14:50 The red flags begin flapping like crazy! 

• Topic #3  25:13 Fernando’s real name revealed. 

• Topic #4  37:41 Tips to avoid similar cons. 

• Topic #5  55:54 OneHeart Woohoos of the Week: Community-style! 

 

Resources & Links 

• https://www.jitasagroup.com/jitasa_nonprofit_blog/common-nonprofit-scams/ 

• https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/7p1c7l/maurice_aguirre_has_been_sentenced_to_prison/?rdt=33604  

• https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2018/01/06/forger-and-scam-artist-just-can-t-seem-to-give-up-his-trade/ 

• https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-irs-warns-of-scammers-using-fake-charities-to-exploit-taxpayers 

• Immediately file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). 

• Contact the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721. 

• Reach out to your state’s consumer protection office. 

• Inform your bank immediately if you shared your account details with a scammer. 

credit: ABA Foundation; https://www.aba.com/advocacy/community-programs/consumer-resources/protect-your-money/charity-scams 

• https://www.sbtadvantage.com/blog-posts/charity-scams  

• https://www.dhsventures.com/governing-board  

• https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/11/14/2779872/0/en/DHS-Makes-Full-Acquisition-of-Carolco-Enterprises-for-745M-Fernando-Aguirre-Vice-Chairman-of-DHS-Ventures-Holdings-Announced.html  

• https://www.cbinsights.com/company/carolco-enterprises 

 

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.  

https://www.escapepod.live 

 

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?  

• General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live  

• Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live