Ridiculous Crime
- Episodios
- 506
- Se publica
- varias veces por semana
- Último episodio
- 12 Nov 2026
Sobre el podcast
True Crime is more than blood, guts, mayhem, and murder. Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton share outlandish tales of capers, heists, and cons that shine a light on the absurd and outrageous side of criminality. Always 99% murder-free and 100% ridiculous, this is Ridiculous Crime, a podcast by iHeartRadio.
Episodios 506
My Rich Sheikh Brings All the Art to the Yard: Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al-Thani
Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al-Thani had a mission: buy up as much amazing art and antiquities as possible to fill five new world class museums. The budget: infinity. Or at least that's how he acted as he overbid …
Notas del episodio
Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al-Thani had a mission: buy up as much amazing art and antiquities as possible to fill five new world class museums. The budget: infinity. Or at least that's how he acted as he overbid on auctions and swept up some of the most exquisite curios on the planet. But there's no such thing as infinite money, particularly when the cash you spend is someone else's. But it was magnificent while it lasted.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Help Us, ABBA, You're Our Only Hope: The Stockholm Syndrome Robbery (Part One)
Jan-Erik Olsson had a simple dream: he wanted to free a friend from prison. Unfortunately, the best idea he could come up with was to storm a bank in Stockholm, take hostages, and demand the Prime Minister give …
Notas del episodio
Jan-Erik Olsson had a simple dream: he wanted to free a friend from prison. Unfortunately, the best idea he could come up with was to storm a bank in Stockholm, take hostages, and demand the Prime Minister give in to his demands. For obvious reasons, things did not go as he planned. Luckily for him, his hostages took his side against the police, leading to a standoff, and the birth of the Stockholm Syndrome.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rosey & Bobby [from Very Special Episodes]
Rosey Grier has a habit of showing up at turning points of American history: the greatest NFL game ever played, Free to Be…You and Me, and Bobby Kennedy’s 1968 presidential run. But one night at the Ambassador …
Notas del episodio
Rosey Grier has a habit of showing up at turning points of American history: the greatest NFL game ever played, Free to Be…You and Me, and Bobby Kennedy’s 1968 presidential run. But one night at the Ambassador Hotel made the football star a reluctant hero. It also gave him a mission he’s spent the rest of his life carrying out.
Listen to Zaron on Very Special Episodes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Witchy Woman: Helen "Hellish Nell" Duncan
Helen Duncan had a gift. She told the world that the gift was the ability to communicate with the dead and see the future. Her real talent was puking up swatches of fabric and brawling with clients. Either way …
Notas del episodio
Helen Duncan had a gift. She told the world that the gift was the ability to communicate with the dead and see the future. Her real talent was puking up swatches of fabric and brawling with clients. Either way, people paid to see her act. But then she messed with the Royal Navy in wartime, and that never ends well. She could see the future, but she didn't have getting tried as a witch on her spiritual bingo card.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Take Me Down to Everglades City: A Town of Pot Smugglers
The City of Everglade City was founded by smugglers, so it should be no surprise that a century later, the locals kept that tradition going. Only by then, they'd moved on to pot smuggling. It was a highly …
Notas del episodio
The City of Everglade City was founded by smugglers, so it should be no surprise that a century later, the locals kept that tradition going. Only by then, they'd moved on to pot smuggling. It was a highly lucrative profession, far more than fishing or crabbing, but pot smuggling was also highly illegal. Never the less, the locals were enjoying their lawless ways, right up until the feds caught wind of the overwhelming size and scale of the south Florida dope game. But while those good times rolled, what a high time the whole town enjoyed.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
They Don't Love You Like I Love You: Map Crimes
Maps are beautiful, functional works of art. Even the most utilitarian paper map has its charms. But when a map has historical value, it can fetch an incredible amount. Which, of course, makes them catnip for …
Notas del episodio
Maps are beautiful, functional works of art. Even the most utilitarian paper map has its charms. But when a map has historical value, it can fetch an incredible amount. Which, of course, makes them catnip for crimers. Come navigate the world of fake maps, stolen maps, collectors, and dedicated cons.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Beef Pirates of Philadelphia
The police of Philadelphia were flummoxed by a new crime trend. As the crime statistics in the city were falling, one category of crime was spiking. And it was all thanks to a crew of beef pirates. The …
Notas del episodio
The police of Philadelphia were flummoxed by a new crime trend. As the crime statistics in the city were falling, one category of crime was spiking. And it was all thanks to a crew of beef pirates. The bucaneers of the tri-state area were constantly hitting big rigs and making off with highly valuable loot. The police launched Operation Beef Bandit to combat the thieves. But really it was Instagram that spelled doom for the larcenous beef burglars.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Angry Are These Penguins?: The Ern Malley Affair
A poet named Ern, so they say/Wrote verses that dazzled one day/But Ern, it turned out, was a hoax, past a doubt/Cooked up by two dorks just for play!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Outlaw Elmer McCurdy
Elmer McCurdy came of age at the end of the Old West, and as it vanished he tried to grab at that outlaw life while it was still a real thing. Trouble was, he was not good at being a bad man. In death, he …
Notas del episodio
Elmer McCurdy came of age at the end of the Old West, and as it vanished he tried to grab at that outlaw life while it was still a real thing. Trouble was, he was not good at being a bad man. In death, he became an avatar and totem of the fast disappearing Wild West. There he remained, until one day the story of an astronaut and test pilot freed him from his bizarre afterlife.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An Offense to Forgers: The Fake Italian Amphitheater
There's a lot of money to be made in tourism, especially in culturally rich areas like Italy's Veneto region. So what's a philanthropist/entrepreneur/orchestra conductor to do? Build a fake ancient …
Notas del episodio
There's a lot of money to be made in tourism, especially in culturally rich areas like Italy's Veneto region. So what's a philanthropist/entrepreneur/orchestra conductor to do? Build a fake ancient amphitheater, of course! The Italian government, though, doesn't take kindly to that kind of scamming. Sparisci, truffatore!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Great Yosemite Gold Rush of Pot
Last week, Elizabeth shared a story from the Gold Rush. And this week, Zaron brings us a story from the Yosemite Gold Rush. If you've never heard of it, that's when a bunch of dirtbag rock climbers who called …
Notas del episodio
Last week, Elizabeth shared a story from the Gold Rush. And this week, Zaron brings us a story from the Yosemite Gold Rush. If you've never heard of it, that's when a bunch of dirtbag rock climbers who called Yosemite home learned about a downed pot smuggler's plane that was trapped in a frozen lake not far from the park. That whispered rumour led to a extravganza of amateur pot smuggling as the various climbers attempted to rescue the weed and bring it to market. Ah, the 1970s! It was such a simpler time... for pot smugglers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gold Dust Woman: Marie Suize Pantalon
Marie Suize made her way from France to the foothills of California for the Gold Rush. One of just a few women up there mining for gold, she managed to make a fortune and gain the respect of her fellow …
Notas del episodio
Marie Suize made her way from France to the foothills of California for the Gold Rush. One of just a few women up there mining for gold, she managed to make a fortune and gain the respect of her fellow prospectors. In an effort to be practical and comfortable, she started wearing pants. But that just wasn't done. Well, tell that to Marie.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brenden Abbott, AKA The Postcard Bandit
Raised in difficult cirumstances, it was no surprise that Brenden Abbott turned to a life of crime. But once he got going, he was an endless source of surprises for the Australian police who struggled to …
Notas del episodio
Raised in difficult cirumstances, it was no surprise that Brenden Abbott turned to a life of crime. But once he got going, he was an endless source of surprises for the Australian police who struggled to capture and recapture him, as he broke out of multiple prisons and enjoyed life on the lam as Australia's favorite bank robber and outlaw folk hero. Come for the ridiculousness, stay for Zaron's attempts at an Australian accent.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Great Book Theft: Frede Møller-Kristensen
A genius goes to work in the Danish Royal Library. Sounds about right. That genius starts stealing books. That's not right. The genius stops stealing books. That's good! His family starts selling off the stolen …
Notas del episodio
A genius goes to work in the Danish Royal Library. Sounds about right. That genius starts stealing books. That's not right. The genius stops stealing books. That's good! His family starts selling off the stolen books. Okay, we're back to not good again. This Scandinavian caper took some twists and turns until one keen auctioneer and one dedicated security director straight up cracked the case. Godt arbejde! Oh, and Elizabeth apologizes for her LEGO crimes.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Come Fly With Me, Come Crime With Me: the Ken Jouppi Story
How far would you go to fight the law and keep your stuff? For Alaskan bush pilot Ken Jouppi the answer is: all the way to the Supreme Court. Thanks to Alaska’s strict laws about bringing booze into a dry town …
Notas del episodio
How far would you go to fight the law and keep your stuff? For Alaskan bush pilot Ken Jouppi the answer is: all the way to the Supreme Court. Thanks to Alaska’s strict laws about bringing booze into a dry town, Jouppi was set to lose his seaplane to legal forfeiture. And now the Supreme Court must decide: did Alaska violate Ken's Constitutional rights over some Budweiser tallboys, or nah?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bonus: Getting High with Ridiculous Crime: Reindeer Trips and Soothing Syrup
Did you know reindeer love tripping? Or that, once upon a time, otherwise responsible parents would dose their children with high-test opioids? In the second chapter of their ongoing series, Ben, Noel, and Max …
Notas del episodio
Did you know reindeer love tripping? Or that, once upon a time, otherwise responsible parents would dose their children with high-test opioids? In the second chapter of their ongoing series, Ben, Noel, and Max welcome returning guest Zaron Burnett, co-creator of Ridiculous Crime, to learn more about bizarre drugs of yesteryear.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bonus: Getting High with Ridiculous Crime: Betel Nut and 'Asthma Cigarettes'
Have you ever gone full red-mouth off betel nut? Did you ever buy cigarettes to cure your asthma? When Ben, Noel, and Max first began exploring bizarre drugs of yesteryear, they had no idea that they'd stumbled …
Notas del episodio
Have you ever gone full red-mouth off betel nut? Did you ever buy cigarettes to cure your asthma? When Ben, Noel, and Max first began exploring bizarre drugs of yesteryear, they had no idea that they'd stumbled across a continuing series. Luckily, the guys aren't returning to this Ridiculous History alone -- they're joined by special returning guest Zaron Burnett, co-creator of Ridiculous Crime, to learn even more about history's strangest drugs.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Teeth and the Cocaine Mayhem: Larry Lavin
Larry Lavin started out selling weed and a chill place to consume it to his classmates at Phillips Exeter Academy. He upped his game in dental school, selling cocaine and making sure the students at UPenn were …
Notas del episodio
Larry Lavin started out selling weed and a chill place to consume it to his classmates at Phillips Exeter Academy. He upped his game in dental school, selling cocaine and making sure the students at UPenn were zooted to the gills. He supplied the yuppies of the Eastern Seaboard with mountains of coke in the 80s "greed is good" era. But a funky little tune called “Double Dutch Bus” ultimately brought his empire down. Bip, bop, bam, alakazam!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Seth Rogen vs. North Korea: The Great Sony Hack of 2014
In a much different world, Seth Rogen wanted to make a movie about assassinating the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un. The film he imagined would be a comedy, one that might lead to positive change, perhaps …
Notas del episodio
In a much different world, Seth Rogen wanted to make a movie about assassinating the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un. The film he imagined would be a comedy, one that might lead to positive change, perhaps even a change of leadership in North Korea. Instead, it led to a nuclear showdown with North Korea that dragged President Obama into the chaos unleashed by Rogen's poop and fart joke film. However, the movie did lead to a change of leadership in Hollywood. Someone get Croesus on the line, he'd love this one!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Don't You Know Who I Am?: The Hollywood Con Queen
For good or for bad, Hollywood is the land of promises and illusion. Getting the right phone call at the right time can make a career...or it can drain a bank account. The Hollywood Con Queen convinced …
Notas del episodio
For good or for bad, Hollywood is the land of promises and illusion. Getting the right phone call at the right time can make a career...or it can drain a bank account. The Hollywood Con Queen convinced aspriring stars that fame and fortune were within their reach, with the payment of some fees. But like most cons, it all came crashing down, this time in an ending full of Tinseltown twists. And it wouldn't be a true Hollywood episode without a celebrity cameo, now would it?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
All Along the Watchlist: Crimes of the Woodstock Generation
In a star-studded episode of Sixties outrageousness, ride along with Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young, catch flight with the band Canned Heat, party with at least half of the Beach Boys, and hit up Nixon's White …
Notas del episodio
In a star-studded episode of Sixties outrageousness, ride along with Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young, catch flight with the band Canned Heat, party with at least half of the Beach Boys, and hit up Nixon's White House with Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane. It's a fun-filled, LSD-tinged, madcap romp through America's most ridiculous era. "Turn on, tune in, and drop out"... but don't miss this comic chaos that could only happen for the Woodstock Generation.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's a (Crime) Family Affair: Shaun Greenhalgh
Rejected by the art world, Shaun Greenhalgh needed an outlet for his incredible talent. Guess what? Crime was the perfect opportunity for such a thing. A true Renaissance man, Shaun could fake up anything from …
Notas del episodio
Rejected by the art world, Shaun Greenhalgh needed an outlet for his incredible talent. Guess what? Crime was the perfect opportunity for such a thing. A true Renaissance man, Shaun could fake up anything from a treasure from antiquity to a delicate contemporary painting. With help from his parents, he duped even the sharpest minds of the art world. My man!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Let Me Stand Next to My Fire: Zaron Burns Down a Hillside
Before he was charming the Rude Dudes with tales of silly capers, heists, and cons, Zaron was a house painter. But not just any old house painter. He worked on high end projects with meticulous care. Except for …
Notas del episodio
Before he was charming the Rude Dudes with tales of silly capers, heists, and cons, Zaron was a house painter. But not just any old house painter. He worked on high end projects with meticulous care. Except for that one time he became an accidental arsonist. Oops.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hot Rocks: The Green Vault Heist
In Dresden, Germany, an incredible trove of precious gems is on display in Dresden Castle's Green Vault. They've been there for hundreds of years, save a brief moment when a crime family lifted them and made a …
Notas del episodio
In Dresden, Germany, an incredible trove of precious gems is on display in Dresden Castle's Green Vault. They've been there for hundreds of years, save a brief moment when a crime family lifted them and made a run for it. Some made it home, others weren't so lucky. Maybe those jewels will return someday. Hope, like crime, springs eternal.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ZZ Top and the Zombies: A Great American Long Con
Before they grew long beards and a mustache and formed ZZ Top, two of the bandmates, drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill, were once in a traveling band that was created as a blatant cash grab. Much like …
Notas del episodio
Before they grew long beards and a mustache and formed ZZ Top, two of the bandmates, drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill, were once in a traveling band that was created as a blatant cash grab. Much like Los Beatles Americanos (remember them?), an impostor band was formed to pull some artistic identity theft and the future members of ZZ Top were only too happy to play along. It's like some folks like to say, "Hey man, it was the '60s!" And all of it was ridiculous!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's an Honor to Rob a Bank: Lucio Urtubia
He fought for freedom, not just for his native Spain but for oppressed people worldwide. With his strong believe that, "the keystone of existence is doing right by one's neighbor," his subversive tactics used …
Notas del episodio
He fought for freedom, not just for his native Spain but for oppressed people worldwide. With his strong believe that, "the keystone of existence is doing right by one's neighbor," his subversive tactics used the tools of system against itself: fake passports and counterfeit cash. Oh, and phony traveler's checks, which is how he ran afoul of one of the largest banks in the world. But leave it to Lucio to get the last laugh.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Before Cocaine Cartels, There Was The Black Tuna Gang
The name of their crime crew was certainly unfortunate. Like, who would wanna be known as The Black Tuna Gang? But their crimes, however, are legendary. Long before cocaine became synonymous with Colombia and …
Notas del episodio
The name of their crime crew was certainly unfortunate. Like, who would wanna be known as The Black Tuna Gang? But their crimes, however, are legendary. Long before cocaine became synonymous with Colombia and Miami, these quasi-hippie drug smugglers set the mold. They showed all who came after them how to build an international smuggling empire and earn millions off of Colombia's original cash crop, that sticky-icky South American reefer. Their run didn't last terribly long because they seemingly did everything with a ridiculous amount of unearned confidence and a love of rash decisions. But while it lasted, oh what a run they had!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Philately Will Get You Nowhere: The Apollo 15 Postal Cover Scandal
Humans are fascinated by two things and two things only in this life: space and keepsakes. That’s it. The astronauts of the Apollo 15 mission knew this, so they took a LOT of stamped envelopes to the moon. You …
Notas del episodio
Humans are fascinated by two things and two things only in this life: space and keepsakes. That’s it. The astronauts of the Apollo 15 mission knew this, so they took a LOT of stamped envelopes to the moon. You know, for the sake of both science and commerce. This was, however, against the rules. Who cares! To commemorative stamp sales…and beyond!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Show Must NOT Go On!: Sometimes Crime is the Only Answer
For these three stories, there is one unifying idea: the show must NOT go on. And in order to ensure the show was indeed stopped, people turned to crimes, sweet, sweet ridiculous crimes. Whether a theater …
Notas del episodio
For these three stories, there is one unifying idea: the show must NOT go on. And in order to ensure the show was indeed stopped, people turned to crimes, sweet, sweet ridiculous crimes. Whether a theater musical director, a bride-to-be, or an Olivia Rodrigo fan, in each instance there was only way to be sure: criminality. Come for the history of the phrase, stay for the modern lesson in summer concert culture. Just be sure not to get any on you.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ridiculous Crime Interviews: Matthew Campbell and The Man Who Stole the Gods, Part 2
For part two of this special edition, Zaron continues his interview with author Matthew Campbell about his book The Man Who Stole the Gods. In the second half of the interview, Matthew Campbell examines the …
Notas del episodio
For part two of this special edition, Zaron continues his interview with author Matthew Campbell about his book The Man Who Stole the Gods. In the second half of the interview, Matthew Campbell examines the other half of the art crime, the metaphorical detectives and police tasked with investigating and seeking justice for the Cambodian people. There's also discussion of redemption, righting of wrongs, and the role and responsibillities of museums and auction houses in this global tale of art crime.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aquí están los 40 episodios más recientes de 506. Los anteriores están en el feed del podcast.
Podcasts similares
Más podcasts de Comedia
¿Es tu podcast?
Confírmalo con una entrada en tu feed: aquí recibes un código, lo añades como podcast:txt en el canal de tu feed y nosotros lo comprobamos. Después tu podcast aparecerá como «verificado» en SoundNode.