Julian Morgans

And this whole thing has been a Superreal production.

And this whole thing has been a Superreal production.

Hey, Julian Morgans here. I'm the host of Scammerland, but I'm also the host of a weekly show called What It Was Like. And the basic idea is that every episode I talk to someone who has lived through an extreme event. So think cults, serial killers, ghost stories, Princess Diana's paparazzi, Kurt Cobain's manager. And in all cases, you'll find out what it was like to be there.

Hey, Julian Morgans here. I'm the host of Scammerland, but I'm also the host of a weekly show called What It Was Like. And the basic idea is that every episode I talk to someone who has lived through an extreme event. So think cults, serial killers, ghost stories, Princess Diana's paparazzi, Kurt Cobain's manager. And in all cases, you'll find out what it was like to be there.

In fact, Scammerland actually began as an episode on what it was like. So if you're enjoying this, you're probably going to love our other show. That's what it was like on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Just a trigger warning on this episode. It's got some pretty graphic descriptions of violence, so it's probably not suitable for young ears.

In fact, Scammerland actually began as an episode on what it was like. So if you're enjoying this, you're probably going to love our other show. That's what it was like on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Just a trigger warning on this episode. It's got some pretty graphic descriptions of violence, so it's probably not suitable for young ears.

Hey, I'm Julian Morgans, and you're listening to Scammerland. This is episode three, and over the last two episodes, we've looked at how most online scams are run by people living in modern slavery through Southeast Asia.

Hey, I'm Julian Morgans, and you're listening to Scammerland. This is episode three, and over the last two episodes, we've looked at how most online scams are run by people living in modern slavery through Southeast Asia.

We've followed two people who have been abducted and sold to run scams, Catalaya and Small Q. And at the end of this episode, we're actually going to check back in with Q as he comes up with an escape plan. But first, I want to look at the other side of the equation, the people who are getting scammed. So we're going to start this episode by meeting an American guy named Troy Gokinawa.

We've followed two people who have been abducted and sold to run scams, Catalaya and Small Q. And at the end of this episode, we're actually going to check back in with Q as he comes up with an escape plan. But first, I want to look at the other side of the equation, the people who are getting scammed. So we're going to start this episode by meeting an American guy named Troy Gokinawa.

Back in 2021, Troy got scammed and ended up almost bankrupt and considering suicide. But then he discovered that the people that scammed him were actually victims themselves. And since then, he's been working to expose Asia's scam farm system. Welcome to Scammerland. Hey Troy, welcome to the show.

Back in 2021, Troy got scammed and ended up almost bankrupt and considering suicide. But then he discovered that the people that scammed him were actually victims themselves. And since then, he's been working to expose Asia's scam farm system. Welcome to Scammerland. Hey Troy, welcome to the show.

Can we start with an introduction? Just tell me your name and what you do with yourself.

Can we start with an introduction? Just tell me your name and what you do with yourself.

In New York, Trey was getting roles in stage shows, and maybe you can still hear a bit of the thespian in his voice. But in 2020, COVID struck, and the world ground to a halt. The auditions all dried up, along with his day job, and Trey moved back home to Columbus, which really wasn't easy. Did it feel like it was sort of the end of an era when you arrived back in Columbus?

In New York, Trey was getting roles in stage shows, and maybe you can still hear a bit of the thespian in his voice. But in 2020, COVID struck, and the world ground to a halt. The auditions all dried up, along with his day job, and Trey moved back home to Columbus, which really wasn't easy. Did it feel like it was sort of the end of an era when you arrived back in Columbus?

Something you might be noticing is how the scams industry targets people who are at a crossroads. Think about Q, who was working in his internet cafe and dreaming of something more. And Katalia, who had just lost her dad. And Troy, who found himself broke and a bit directionless. At every level, this industry, it just feeds on vulnerability.

Something you might be noticing is how the scams industry targets people who are at a crossroads. Think about Q, who was working in his internet cafe and dreaming of something more. And Katalia, who had just lost her dad. And Troy, who found himself broke and a bit directionless. At every level, this industry, it just feeds on vulnerability.

Did she send you a photo of herself?

Did she send you a photo of herself?