Description

FR-Odd But True – Ep. 17 

Summary of Episode 

If you’ve ever asked the question, “What is wrong with people?” then this episode is for you! 

Join co-hosts Julie and Charity in the Escape Pod for three very odd but true stories of people who failed to escape from their very bad ideas – including a case of insurance fraud that led to severe (and severed?) consequences. 

CORRECTION: In “The Office” episode referenced here, Andy was the driver of the car, while Dwight was pushed into the shrubbery. (We apologize to our fellow Office fans for the mix-up.) 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1   4:03 6 for 1: Police investigating a car theft end up with way more suspects than they bargained for.  
• Topic #2   8:44 A would-be arsonist wants revenge on an ex.  
• Topic #3 15:00 Super-hard fraud: Two friends in Taiwan attempt to cash in on an insurance policy, with dire results for one of them. 

• Topic #4 26:52 Escapism, co-host-style! 

Story #1: 

• https://www.ccso.us/press-releases/12662/ 
• https://www.foxnews.com/us/maryland-guardian-arrives-stolen-vehicle-take-custody-teens-arrested-auto-theft-police-say 
• https://www.newser.com/story/335690/after-cops-arrested-6-the-arrests-kept-coming.html 
• https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2023/03/10/711686.htm#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20new%20analysis,consistently%20exceeded%2075%2C000%20in%202022.  
• https://www.fastcompany.com/91028032/car-thefts-and-carjackings-are-up-unreliable-data-makes-it-hard-to-pinpoint-why  
• https://www.newsweek.com/car-theft-rise-fbi-council-criminal-justice-annual-report-2023-1863972#:~:text=The%20%22clearance%20rate%22%20or%20rate,and%2013%20percent%20for%20burglary.  

Story #2: 

• https://www.salisburypost.com/2023/04/23/charges-upgraded-to-attempted-murder-for-alleged-arsonist/ 
• https://www.salisburypost.com/2023/08/03/woman-sentenced-to-20-25-years-for-attempted-murder-in-2022-fire/  
• https://truecrimedaily.com/2022/07/27/north-carolina-christie-jones-sets-wrong-house-on-fire-revenge-ex-boyfriend/ 
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/252459/number-of-arson-offenses-in-the-united-states-by-type/#:~:text=Number%20of%20arson%20offenses%20in%20the%20United%20States%202022%2C%20by%20type&text=In%202022%2C%20a%20total%206%2C508,which%2013%2C147%20were%20structure%20fires.  
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/252461/average-damage-caused-by-arson-offenses-in-the-united-states-by-type/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20average%20damage,costing%20about%20324%2C389%20U.S.%20dollars. 
• Clip from “The Duel” (The Office): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIzFIOJA2c 

Story #3: 

• https://people.com/man-allegedly-convinced-friend-amputate-legs-insurance-scam-authorities-8611327  
• https://www.businessinsider.com/taiwan-student-convinced-friend-amputate-legs-insurance-scam-prosecutors-2024-3 
• https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/taiwanese-duo-accused-of-self-amputation-insurance-fraud-scheme-zhang-and-liao-taiwan-taipei-district-prosecutors-office-fraud-investigation 
• https://www.moneycontrol.com/investor-education/insurance/classroom/student-used-dry-ice-to-get-frostbite-got-legs-amputated-for-million-insurance-payout-17502041.html 
• https://content.naic.org/cipr-topics/insurance-fraud#:~:text=The%20Coalition%20Against%20Insurance%20Fraud,%24700%20a%20year%20in%20premiums 

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