In 2010, a $16.5 million Hot Lotto ticket was sold at a gas station in Des Moines, Iowa. At first, no one showed up to claim the prize. And then, a series of lawyers tried to claim the money on behalf of a client they would not name. Things got stranger, and eventually investigators uncovered what has been called the biggest lottery fraud in U.S. history. We ... Show More
Today
Please Continue (Criminal+)
Today, an unlocked episode of Criminal Plus that's full of exciting updates, public service announcements, and Tom Cruise's teeth. If you enjoyed listening to today's Criminal Plus episode and you'd like to hear more - join us on Patreon. It's the very best way to support our ... Show More
46m 55s
Aug 11
How a Volcanic Eruption Led to a Criminal Trial
In 2019, a volcano erupted off the coast of New Zealand - killing 22 tourists who were on it at the time. Four years later, a criminal trial began - where prosecutors claimed that several individuals and companies had violated workplace safety laws, and had “used an active volcan ... Show More
28m 22s
Apr 2025
Get Rich Quick: The American Lottery
Want to get rich quick? You're not alone. Right now, Americans spend over $100 billion, yes billion, every year on lottery tickets. Today on the show, in collaboration with Scratch and Win from WGBH, how the mafia, Sputnik, medical equipment, and the electoral college led to Amer ... Show More
49m 41s
Nov 2022
The McDonald's Monopoly Game Conspiracy
In the 90s, there was a huge fraud conspiracy surrounding McDonald’s monopoly promotional game. Anyone could play, and anyone had the chance to win a prize, from a free sandwich to a car to a million dollars. The odds of winning were slim… so how was it that several of the winner ... Show More
21m 35s