Smoke Screen: My Friend, the Serial Killer

1,822
All Genres #2, True Crime #2

Catch Me If You Ken investigates the never-before-told story of a scam that happened from Los Angeles to Italy. Telling people he was a billionaire’s son, a crypto mogul, and a tech genius, Ken allegedly lured in victims by promising to make them rich, leaving a trail of beautiful women and broken promises in his wake–until his victims started fighting back. This series unravels a web of digital vanishing acts, abandoned aliases and heartbreaking tales to try to find the man who victims say stole from them, and attempt to find out: Who is the real Ken?Catch Me if You Ken is the latest series from The Binge - subscribe to listen to all episodes, all at once, ad-free right now. From serial killer nurses to psychic scammers – The Binge is your home for true crime stories that pull you in and never let go. Follow The Binge Crimes and The Binge Cases to get new stories on the first of the month, every month. Hit ‘Subscribe’ at the top of The Binge Crimes show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com. The Binge – feed your true crime obsession.

More
Recent Episodes
  • Catch Me If You Ken I 1. Boyfriend in the Garage
    Jun 2, 2025 – 33:23
  • Introducing…. Catch Me If You Ken
    May 27, 2025 – 01:30
  • Fatal Beauty | 6. Hard to Get
    May 6, 2025 – 46:41
  • Fatal Beauty | 5. Luck Runs Out
    Apr 29, 2025 – 43:27
  • Fatal Beauty | 4. There's Something About Camille
    Apr 22, 2025 – 43:35
  • Fatal Beauty | 3. Dead End
    Apr 15, 2025 – 44:10
  • Fatal Beauty | 1. Body in the Bronco
    Apr 1, 2025 – 37:32
  • Fatal Beauty | 2. An Open Secret
    Mar 31, 2025 – 46:06
  • Introducing… Fatal Beauty
    Mar 26, 2025 – 01:12
  • Baby Broker | 7. Gotcha Day
    Mar 17, 2025 – 35:29
  • Baby Broker | 6. Don’t F**k With Parents
    Mar 10, 2025 – 41:56
  • Baby Broker | 5. The Last Adoption
    Mar 3, 2025 – 31:14
  • Baby Broker | 4. We All Became Investigators
    Feb 24, 2025 – 36:58
  • Baby Broker | 3. The Birth Mothers
    Feb 17, 2025 – 33:02
  • Baby Broker | 2. Three Babies
    Feb 10, 2025 – 37:51
  • Baby Broker | 1. You Cannot Tell Anyone
    Feb 3, 2025 – 36:53
  • Introducing… Baby Broker
    Jan 27, 2025 – 01:13
  • Scary Terri | 1. The Mysterious Death of Devereaux Cleaver
    Dec 2, 2024 – 38:03
  • Scary Terri | 2. The Last Will
    Dec 1, 2024 – 42:53
  • Scary Terri | 3. Marital Issues
    Nov 30, 2024 – 34:53
  • Scary Terri | 4. Becoming Mrs. Hoffman
    Nov 29, 2024 – 41:03
  • Scary Terri | 5. The White Pill
    Nov 28, 2024 – 37:29
  • Introducing: Scary Terri
    Nov 25, 2024 – 02:06
  • Scary Terri | 6. “I need some money, honey.”
    Nov 24, 2024 – 49:32
  • Denise Didn't Come Home | 1. Stay With Me
    Oct 10, 2024 – 32:37
  • Denise Didn't Come Home | 2. The Memory Palace
    Oct 8, 2024 – 36:42
  • Denise Didn't Come Home | 3. The Torso Killer
    Oct 7, 2024 – 38:36
  • Denise Didn't Come Home | 4. The Girl On Old Hook Road
    Oct 6, 2024 – 40:16
  • Denise Didn't Come Home | 5. The Broken Road
    Oct 5, 2024 – 32:16
  • Denise Didn't Come Home | 6. A Word That Starts With C
    Oct 4, 2024 – 38:09
  • Denise Didn't Come Home | 7. Evil Nice Guy
    Oct 3, 2024 – 35:23
  • Denise Didn't Come Home | 8. The Truth Is Good
    Oct 2, 2024 – 35:38
  • Introducing: Denise Didn't Come Home
    Sep 24, 2024 – 03:10
  • The Greatest Scam Ever Written | 8. The Last Letter
    Sep 19, 2024 – 43:12
  • The Greatest Scam Ever Written | 7. Call Me Blade
    Sep 12, 2024 – 42:06
  • The Greatest Scam Ever Written | 6. DNA of a Scammer
    Sep 5, 2024 – 29:57
  • The Greatest Scam Ever Written | 5. The Runner
    Aug 29, 2024 – 39:45
  • The Greatest Scam Ever Written | 4. The Swiss Swindlers
    Aug 22, 2024 – 40:17
  • The Greatest Scam Ever Written | 3. One Man's Trash
    Aug 15, 2024 – 42:03
  • The Greatest Scam Ever Written | 2. Psychic to the Stars
    Aug 8, 2024 – 40:33
  • The Greatest Scam Ever Written | 1. Your Devoted Friend
    Aug 1, 2024 – 40:25
  • Introducing: The Greatest Scam Ever Written
    Jul 25, 2024 – 03:34
  • My Friend, the Serial Killer | 6. Unfinished Business
    Jul 8, 2024 – 36:58
  • My Friend, the Serial Killer | 5. Donna
    Jul 1, 2024 – 45:25
  • My Friend, the Serial Killer | 4. The Exclusive
    Jun 24, 2024 – 40:10
  • My Friend, the Serial Killer | 3. Take Us To The Bodies
    Jun 17, 2024 – 32:14
  • My Friend, the Serial Killer | 2. Confessions
    Jun 10, 2024 – 32:14
  • My Friend, the Serial Killer | 1. Local Man
    Jun 3, 2024 – 35:00
  • Introducing: My Friend, the Serial Killer
    May 28, 2024 – 02:55
  • The Most Dangerous Man You've Never Heard Of - Who is John Todd?
    May 6, 2024 – 03:54
Recent Reviews
  • Sh0pgrl99
    Curiosity not satisfied
    How do you spell Ken’s last name? They talk about him still being at large but for curious people, how do I see an image or find the instagram site, etc. Story is interesting but kind of jumps around and seems to leave a lot of unfinished items.
  • jmW1969*
    Voice actor ruins it
    Omg the “accent” on the voice actor portraying Sophie was so bad I had to stop listening
  • fivetstas
    Love new season
    Really excellent new season on the scammer, super! Never heard of this
  • lilfoxstar
    Very good thus far, but…
    Very compelling story thus far and well presented. However, it seems a bit odd that “Sophie” is presented in episode 2 as being German, when she so clearly has an Eastern European or Russian accent. Perhaps there is a con within a con that will come to light later. Will keep listening, but I hope this is clarified in later episodes.
  • h3idimom3idi
    As an American lol
    The host twice mentioned that ppl usually think she’s smarter and richer than she is bc of her accent… maybe in the UK but in the US, generally. Also, the host sounds like an American who is impersonating someone from Europe. It’s very, very light and I daresay I wouldn’t have noticed her accent at all had she not twice brought attention to how rich it made her sound lol Also, also: the REAL American dream is not generational wealth. Again, that’s very English/European. The real American dream is home ownership.
  • Nelliemerriam
    Dipping out
    The con artist story is so tired and the voice actor is intolerable.
  • LLR1
    Well done
    A heartbreaking story, very well written.
  • Dylan_B_S
    Not bad
    The subject matter here was interesting, but the narration was really difficult to live with. Didn’t end up finishing it.
  • TheReviewMaster6
    Great
    I loved this!
  • Waterways water specialists
    season 7
    Drug dealers are upstanding citizens?
  • Matt_B_W
    S14 Children’s story hour narrator
    Just write and read like a professional, not like a community theater actress. Omit the annoying little side jokes “…not THAT deep throat!” Ha, zing!
  • Lcjdot
    Totally Binge Worthy!!!
    Pure true crime gold! Gripping from the first minute, it blends sharp storytelling with twists that keep you riveted. The host delivers a flawless mix of suspense and empathy, diving deep into a case that unfolds like a thriller but hits with real emotional weight. Every episode is tight, tense, and impossible to pause. If you love true crime that’s both smart and addictive, Fatal Beauty is your next binge.
  • cocobeann
    Fatal Beauty
    The narration was so cringeworthy, it was hard to get through
  • KateJessie
    Dogged
    I love this dogged journalistic investigation. Anyone complaining about the paywall is forgetting that it costs $ to do these investigations. I am happy to support this kind of journalism. Alan’s mother breaks my heart and I love that she finally is being heard and validated. Gloria is a warrior.
  • Salsara320
    This podcast — Chef’s kiss.
    Just finished season 14. Perfect storytelling, noteworthy investigative journalism, and all around captivating. However maddening that this total sociopath never really got justice, the telling of this story brought much needed light and honor to the victims she left in her wake. Thank you for telling their stories, and for giving a voice to many of those interviewed. Hopeful it brought them closure and community.
  • Emma1437(89.?-$2
    Over dramatic
    Very interesting stories, but told in a way that feels exploitative. For example, one “source” they use in season 12 is a woman who blames the subject of the season for the woman running over her own child’s arm after he fell out of the car (that is neglect, not “dark energy” from someone else). There is a pattern of sources like this and wild speculation. Watch if you want to be entertained, but not necessarily informed
  • ColieStandley
    Seriously
    It’s truly a great podcast, great story, lots of characters. But to wait until the last episode to make people pay…seriously?! Y’all’s extortion will have to be the subject of the next one 😆
  • usedtolikeher
    Tip for all to make it bearable
    Listen at one and 1.5 speed, the narrator voice is unbearable at anything less. Interesting story but it’s extremely repetitive , this could’ve been done in three episodes.
  • no knicknames left
    Last episode is extortion
    Series is good right up to the point you have to subscribe to hear the last episode. If you’re going to lock it down do it in the first or second episode. Doing it at the last episode is sleazy. You’re counting on people listening to 5 episodes and wanting to hear the 6th bad enough to pay. I can afford it but because of the tactic I won’t and I won’t be listening to other Binge podcasts either.
  • Presbstephens
    Only 3 episodes?
    So I am leaving this comment about Fatal Beauty, I am loving the story so far but why aren’t new episodes coming out? I haven’t had a new one in over 2 weeks, since episode 3… idk if this a tactic to get you to subscribe or what but it kind of feels like a poorly run operation.
  • chalkoutlinemum
    Chicago and back
    Very good series. I feel many law enforcement agencies dropped the ball here. I am a former Deputy Medical Examiner, this kept me intrigued for my entire drive to Chicago and back home. Looking forward to Binging more.
  • Caitlin CC.
    The misogyny is painful
    Rating: 1/5 — regressive, harmful, and intellectually bankrupt.
  • No ads. Real money
    Interesting but AI
    The host of this show sounds like an AI. The story is interesting but her voice is too annoying
  • Asunny13
    Can’t listen
    I really want to listen to the Fatal Beauty episodes, but it seems like there are a lot of techy glitches. A lot of episodes are playing under the wrong titles. Under Fatal Beauty I have the Baby Broker episodes. There a few other shows with the same issue. Hope it’s resolved soon!
  • Tammy Tad
    Great podcast, highly recommend
    I truly enjoyed this podcast. The investigative journalism was excellent. So thorough, all leads were tracked until there were no more to check out. It was from an objective view, and I was sad when I was done with the last episode.
  • Vicki Rene
    Fatal Beauty
    Very interesting couldn’t stop listening had to see what was going to happen next.
  • jtmf0320
    Loved Season 7
    I loved Season 7 so much that I didn’t want it to end. One reviewer aptly states, “everyone gets a little dirty.” I really want a televised docuseries! It was 5 stars, hands down. That was the first season I listened to of this podcast, and based on the strength of that one, I’ve tried to listen to other seasons. I had to abandon all of them, except for Denise, which I’d give 1.5 stars (billed as true crime, but morphed into something else - I actually think it would have been more engaging if the case had been told inversely, starting with the last episode as the premiere episode…that would have made for a richer more in depth, thought provoking study of the case, rather than just impatiently slogging through boring phone calls each episode to get to the resolution). Please find a way to return to the magic of season 7. It’s so frustrating to know you’re capable of doing it, yet keep making mediocre, unsatisfying seasons.
  • hangloose_90
    fatal beauty
    Great characters, crazy story, and good host. Listened to the whole thing at once. Makes you think about how far our understanding of a woman’s capacity to commit violent crimes has come and how people really can skirt by just because they’re pretty!
  • megamarie
    Well done
    Enjoyed this season and the thoughtful storytelling
  • jen98a
    Fatal beauty
    Episode 4 & 5 are reversed in the lineup. Otherwise interesting story told with detail.
  • dreamevr
    Narration is terrible
    The narrator. Can only say. A few syllables. At a time. Once you. Hear it. You cannot. Unhear it.
  • Bzpal
    Great Story/Cringy Storytelling
    This is a really interesting story told through a poorly written and melodramatically voiced manner. I cringed throughout at the narration’s poor grammar and trite cliches.
  • Wisscrabbler
    Could be so much better
    A few are good but most are narrated with “whispery” voices and ANNOYING BACKGROUND MUSIC. So annoying
  • inOklahoma
    Heartbreaking
    Denise didn’t come home
  • Whole789
    Confusing
    Around the third episode I checked to see if anyone created a summary of the people involved. At some point the number of women’s names were coming at me so fast, I had no idea who was who. Maybe this is just a me problem. I think a line or two reminding you of who’s who would have been helpful for those who weren’t taking notes while listening. Perhaps starting the story by introducing Tara Lee first would have been better. Good story, but the story telling needed to be workshopped a bit more.
  • Nic-35093
    Wait until the end to charge you
    It was a good show that was interesting and well produced. However the practice of charging the listener to finish the last two episodes of the story is just ridiculous. There’s ads through the entirety of the podcast already so i find it super distasteful to then charge at the very end. Unfollowed.
  • starsofsyd
    Season 11 leaves its mark
    Denise‘s case and the way it is shared is beyond phenomenal. More than anything, the way the story ends up being a revelation about mental health was the journey through the grieving process through the eyes of her sister, is breathtaking. Coming from a mental health therapist, there are so many important and underlying messages about grief, mental health, and the importance of human connection. I have rarely ever left podcast reviews, but this absolutely deserves one. Well done.
  • martinEltahur
    Glass
    Worst story ever of the people involved black people are the worse liers in the world glass is so dumb
  • Balletstar3825
    One example of Deception in Private Adoption
    If you're looking for a deep-dive exposé on the private adoption industry with comparisons to foster care and alternative systems, this isn't the podcast for you. However, if you're interested in a compelling, well-structured chronicle of one shady broker and the families impacted by her actions, this podcast delivers. The storytelling is engaging, unraveling each layer of the scheme in a way that keeps you hooked. The narrative unfolds with just the right balance of detail and suspense, making it both informative and immersive. While it doesn’t provide a broad systemic analysis, it excels at spotlighting the human cost of one broker’s deception. A gripping and well-produced listen!
  • ntdwwira
    Good but needs to speak more about birth parents
    It’s good this was exposed and exposing unethical adoption “agencies”. However, the greatest victims are the birth parents and the children. Tara clearly pushed them to adoption without proper counseling and did not give them the supports they needed or connect them to supports. With proper counseling and support they may have chosen to parent. Instead they were robbed, lied to, degraded and coerced. Their experience is barely touched on and only represented through the eyes of the prospective adoptive parents.
  • sba_7
    Denise didn’t come home
    Amazing job. Well done and well told.
  • Luci Bufagin
    This is not adoption .
    This is buying and selling babies. Shame on the buyers and the sellers.
  • LisaInCA
    Poorly produced
    Episode 3 features an ad for an online game, that seem to be a verité recording of false starts and mistakes. Extremely unprofessional presentation that should have been edited and cleaned up. Disappointing.
  • NOCsomatic
    Could have gone deeper
    A moving podcast with many layers to consider. While compelling, it could have gone deeper—examining more why families turn to private adoption, exploring another adoption agency’s challenges, and even speaking to the complexities of the foster care system and its role in placing children for foster and adoptive homes.
  • eva_diva_
    Too many ads
    Show is okay. Not worth listening to with all the ads.
  • LadyDi2020
    Soooo many commercials
    It’s a great story, and I understand commercials allow content creation, and also, they want to push you to be a subscriber. HOWEVER 7-10 minutes of content at a time with 5 minute commercial breaks in between (and these are only 30 minute episodes!) makes it really hard to become involved in the story. So, not great if you’re not willing to pay money for it.
  • kitpistol
    Tone deaf
    It’s a well produced podcast and the story is fascinating, but the way this program speaks about adoption is a bit tone deaf in some regards. This could have been a really big opportunity on discussing the ethical pitfalls of private adoption as a whole.
  • modest99
    Emotional journey
    Loved this podcast and the stories included. Such an emotional journey for these families. Episode 7 was 😭👏🏽
  • CEVP1
    Important
    I was a little surprised by some of the antiquated language used in this podcast, such as “gave up” and “gotcha day”. These are terms largely abandoned in the adoption community due to the impact on those in the adoption triad. Still, I felt it was an important listen and hope it continues to shine a light on the gaping holes in adoption systems.
  • composeyourself
    Season 13 was incredible
    This was a very moving season filled with many deeply emotional moments. I binged it in less than 24 hours. My heart goes out to everyone who was affected by Tara Lee’s actions.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.