Episodes

  • Introducing “Love, Janessa”

    Introducing “Love, Janessa”
    Jan 11 2023
    “I love her. I just love her!” You meet someone online. It turns out many others think they have fallen for the same person. Introducing the search for the unwitting face of a digital con. With host, Hannah Ajala. Launching 23 January 2023. Audio for this trailer was updated on February 8, 2023.
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    3 mins
  • Episode 1: From My World to Yours

    Episode 1: From My World to Yours
    Jan 23 2023
    New Year’s Eve. Simon receives a message from a beautiful stranger, named Shirley: “Greetings…from my world to yours.” A digital flirtation begins. Then Shirley needs cash – fast. Shirley’s photo is actually adult entertainment “cam girl” Janessa Brazil and many accounts are using her image to lure victims. Who is Janessa? Has she any idea that she’s the bait in worldwide catfishing schemes? Please note, this series contains adult themes and strong language. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/love-janessa-transcripts-listen-1.6770736
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    36 mins
  • Episode 2: The Big Fish

    Episode 2: The Big Fish
    Jan 30 2023
    Roberto is in love. Without ever seeing her or talking to her, he thinks he falls deeply for Janessa. He sends thousands of dollars and begs her to leave the adult entertainment world. Everyone tells the Italian sustainable farmer that he’s being scammed. Then why is Janessa coming to meet him at an airport in Europe? Please note, this series contains adult themes and strong language. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/love-janessa-transcripts-listen-1.6770736
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    40 mins
  • Episode 3: Meet The Boys

    Episode 3: Meet The Boys
    Feb 6 2023
    Tracking down scammers – how and why do they do it? One tells host Hannah Ajala: “I always feel bad”. Researchers estimate half of global romance scams originate in West Africa. In Ghana, there are the Sakawa Boys. The conning process can involve staying up late, chatting on the phone… building trust and deepening the connection - a bit like a real relationship. It takes time to fall “in love”. Please note, this series contains adult themes and strong language. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/love-janessa-transcripts-listen-1.6770736
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    40 mins
  • Episode 4: Helen of Troy

    Episode 4: Helen of Troy
    Feb 13 2023
    Where is Janessa Brazil? She seems to have vanished. Then, she turns up somewhere unexpected. Is that really Janessa on a radio show, with the wife of a scam victim? Meanwhile, Hannah discovers that justice is hard to come by. Can victims of romance fraud even get their money back? Please note, this series contains adult themes and strong language. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/love-janessa-transcripts-listen-1.6770736
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    30 mins
  • Episode 5: Bubba

    Episode 5: Bubba
    Feb 20 2023
    “I'm an offensive person.” Can a shock jock radio talk show host help us find Janessa Brazil? Meet Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. Bubba and Janessa used to host his show together and they were even housemates. Did they talk about romance scammers using her images? And does he know where Janessa is now? Please note, this series contains adult themes and strong language. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/love-janessa-transcripts-listen-1.6770736
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    27 mins
  • Episode 6: Love, Vanessa

    Episode 6: Love, Vanessa
    Feb 27 2023
    Her real name is Vanessa. Her model name is Janessa Brazil. Where does Janessa end and Vanessa begin? Vanessa tells her story and reveals the human cost of being the bait in catfishing schemes around the world. Please note, this series contains adult themes and strong language. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/love-janessa-transcripts-listen-1.6770736
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    39 mins
  • Episode 7: Fantasy Meets Reality

    Episode 7: Fantasy Meets Reality
    Mar 6 2023
    When the fish met the bait. Roberto has a broken heart and lost thousands of dollars to scammers. Vanessa had her images stolen by scammers and her life fell apart. An emotional finale. Please note, this series contains adult themes and strong language. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/love-janessa-transcripts-listen-1.6770736
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    31 mins