Narrator/Denise Chan

The name of Charlie's travel agency had already come up several times in statements from people Colonel had helped get out of the scam compounds. But Charlie didn't take the opportunity to come clean. Colonel was going to have to do this the hard way. After the meeting, he put it to her plainly.

The name of Charlie's travel agency had already come up several times in statements from people Colonel had helped get out of the scam compounds. But Charlie didn't take the opportunity to come clean. Colonel was going to have to do this the hard way. After the meeting, he put it to her plainly.

I know you're involved and you know that I know.

I know you're involved and you know that I know.

The evidence was damning. The authorities would have a good case, and the punishment would be severe.

The evidence was damning. The authorities would have a good case, and the punishment would be severe.

If Charlie went to jail, she might never get her brothers out. She might never see her brothers again. But if she admitted to what she'd done, if she gave up information about Dev and the syndicate, if and when it got back to them, her life could be in danger. Her whole family could be in danger. Colonel knew exactly the position he'd put Charlie in.

If Charlie went to jail, she might never get her brothers out. She might never see her brothers again. But if she admitted to what she'd done, if she gave up information about Dev and the syndicate, if and when it got back to them, her life could be in danger. Her whole family could be in danger. Colonel knew exactly the position he'd put Charlie in.

He saw her value, and he saw how much she wanted to prove her value. So he turned the screws. He only had one lifeline to offer her.

He saw her value, and he saw how much she wanted to prove her value. So he turned the screws. He only had one lifeline to offer her.

If she was going to get out of this mess, it had to start with the ugly truth. From Wondery, I'm Denise Chan, and this is Scam Factory. This is Episode 5, Negotiation with the Devil. Over the next few days, Charlie started to admit what she'd been doing for the last five months.

If she was going to get out of this mess, it had to start with the ugly truth. From Wondery, I'm Denise Chan, and this is Scam Factory. This is Episode 5, Negotiation with the Devil. Over the next few days, Charlie started to admit what she'd been doing for the last five months.

Exactly what Colonel had suspected.

Exactly what Colonel had suspected.

With Charlie's admission, he wanted to know if she was willing to cooperate.

With Charlie's admission, he wanted to know if she was willing to cooperate.

He wanted specifics. He wanted any receipts or evidence that she had. At this, Charlie got nervous.

He wanted specifics. He wanted any receipts or evidence that she had. At this, Charlie got nervous.

Colonel could see she was scared. Rightfully so. She was dealing with dangerous people. But Charlie hadn't exactly shown herself to be the most trustworthy person to deal with either. After my brothers are out was not a blanket condition he could agree to. After all, it was the information she had that would allow him to offer her protection.

Colonel could see she was scared. Rightfully so. She was dealing with dangerous people. But Charlie hadn't exactly shown herself to be the most trustworthy person to deal with either. After my brothers are out was not a blanket condition he could agree to. After all, it was the information she had that would allow him to offer her protection.