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April 24, 2025 87 mins
In this episode of the Behind the Scams podcast, we explore the harrowing tale of Rodney Baldus, a retired truck driver from Minnesota who fell victim to the Blind Mule scam. Misled during a vulnerable time, he believed he was collecting an inheritance, only to find himself imprisoned in Mozambique for unknowingly transporting drugs. This chilling story reveals the psychological tactics used by fraudsters and serves as a crucial reminder to recognize red flags. Don’t miss this essential lesson in scam awareness—tune in now to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming the next victim!

Chapters

  • (00:00:00) - Behind The Scams
  • (00:02:30) - Behind the Scams
  • (00:03:11) - Scammer Uses Blind Mule to Get Money
  • (00:05:07) - Rodney Baldus Scammer Uses Fake Money to Get Out
  • (00:09:22) - How They Convinced Rodney of a Foreign Inheritance Scam
  • (00:15:17) - What Exactly is a Blind Mule?
  • (00:17:45) - What types of people do these trafficking networks typically target for blind m
  • (00:20:45) - Blind Mules: How many innocent people are in prison today
  • (00:21:40) - Rodney's Desperate Fight for His Diabetes in Mozambique
  • (00:28:55) - How Drug Traffickers Get Their Money Back
  • (00:32:52) - Blind Mule: The Crime of Trafficking
  • (00:35:52) - Red Flags That Could Have Prevented The Italian Inheritance Scam
  • (00:41:45) - Blind Mule Scam
  • (00:46:11) - How Are Scammers Using Social Media to Recruit Victims?
  • (00:47:35) - What Makes a Blind Mule Scam?
  • (00:49:13) - What kind of legal support do American citizens typically receive when they're
  • (00:52:39) - How to Get Your Brother to Stand Trial in the US
  • (00:56:16) - The Psychological Trauma of Drug Crimes
  • (01:02:39) - Blind Mule Scams
  • (01:04:47) - The Scam of Inheritance & Business Opportunities
  • (01:10:03) - Where to Watch Out for Scams
  • (01:12:01) - Resources for Families of Americans Detained Overseas
  • (01:14:44) - Are there any apps or tools people can use to stay safe while
  • (01:15:40) - Rodney Baldas Case: What to Do Next
  • (01:17:16) - Scam Alerts for Unexpected Inheritance and Business Situations
  • (01:24:01) - Behind the Scams
  • (01:25:27) - Behind the Scams
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