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Bad Money Times
Financial true crime • authority abuse
ABOUT Mission • standards • disclosures

About Bad Money Times

Bad Money Times is a financial true-crime Shorts channel focused on one pattern: authority figures and trusted insiders taking money meant for other people — often the vulnerable.

What this is

Short, structured case explainers built for fast understanding.

What this isn’t

Not legal advice. Not financial advice. Not a call to harass anyone.

What we optimize for

Accuracy, clarity, and clean sourcing over hype.

Mission

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The mission is simple: make fraud mechanics understandable, fast. A lot of scams aren’t “clever.” They’re repetitive. They succeed because people trust the wrong signals: a title, a uniform, a platform, a church, an office, a badge, a credential, a brand.

Core theme

Authority + trust + money + betrayal.

Core promise

We keep the tone neutral and the facts checkable.

Methodology

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1) Pick the case

High signal, clear harm

We prefer cases with identifiable victims, a defined mechanism, and an official paper trail.

2) Verify the spine

Facts first

Name, role, jurisdiction, time period, alleged conduct, and outcome must match reliable sources.

3) Explain the mechanism

How the theft worked

We focus on the action chain: trust setup → extraction → benefit → consequences.

Sourcing standard (what “verified” means here)

  • Primary sources preferred: court filings, charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing memos, agency press releases.
  • Secondary sources used for context: reputable reporting that cites primary documents.
  • If something is alleged: it’s labeled as alleged, and we anchor it to the source (e.g., “according to prosecutors” / “according to court records”).
  • If we can’t confirm: we either omit it or label it as unconfirmed.

Corrections

If you spot an error, the right move is simple: point to the source and we’ll correct the record. (Contact method will be added here if/when you want it.)

Disclosures

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No advice

Content is for information and commentary. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal, financial, or medical advice. If you need help, contact a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.

Affiliate links

Some pages may include affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, Bad Money Times may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The goal is convenience, not pressure.

Harassment policy

Do not harass, threaten, or contact people featured in stories. The point is understanding the mechanism and harm, not targeting individuals.

Updates over time

Legal cases can evolve (appeals, resentencing, dismissals). When newer official information becomes available, pages may be updated.

If you’re new here

Start with the latest episode, then use the archive to binge by theme. If you want general tools for prevention and reporting, go to Resources.