Introducing… Scam Secrets

Criminals will try anything to steal your money - but if you know their techniques, you can see the scams coming. In this series, BBC fraud reporter Shari Vahl analyses some of the most shocking scams she's covered, dissecting how they work piece-by-piece.

To do this, she's joined by the criminologist and forensic linguist Dr Elisabeth Carter, and Alex Wood - a former criminal who stole millions then dedicated his life to trying to prevent scams from harming others. Together they will arm you with the inside knowledge you need to beat the fraudsters.

In this special introduction episode, they reveal what is coming up in the series – everything from a devastating dating scam to fake celebrities and a bizarre cardigan - with terrifying phone calls, victim testimonies and secret recordings of the criminals themselves.

Scam Secrets will publish weekly from 31 July. Subscribe on BBC Sounds so you never miss an episode.