How do you con some of the world’s biggest companies for almost a billion dollars? Sell them on a novel renewable energy idea, promise impossibly good tax credits, and use investors millions to keep up appearances. Does it matter if the product works…or even exists? Not really.

In this episode, we dive into the unbelievable true story of a down-and-out mechanic who master-minded a billion-dollar fraud. Back in 2008, Jeff Carpoff, a man with a past that precedes him, had just lost his shady car parts business. But after a short stint selling solar panels, he came up with something that would shake up the renewables industry: a mobile solar generator. With a clever but poorly engineered prototype, a bit of fast talk, and a lot of liberty with tax credits, DC Solar was born. Jeff’s rough solar panel design would morph into a rapidly growing, million-dollar deal machine…with a lot of tracks to cover up.

Join us for a tale of wire fraud, money laundering, and a well-crafted Ponzi scheme. It’s the story of a slippery guy who loved NASCAR, chewing tobacco, and gas-guzzling cars; the guy who sauntered through his office with shopping bags stuffed with cash, as he built a massive new factory for products that weren’t actually being manufactured. The same guy who found his way into the hip and burgeoning world of clean energy, where things got very, very messy.

About the Show

Nickel & Crime takes you deep inside the true stories of the shocking scams that white collar criminals almost got away with. At a time when fraud is on the rise, and financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, go behind the investigations to understand the victims, the criminal minds at work, and the risk. 

In season 2, Nickel & Crime returns with mind-blowing new crimes, and immersive, stirring details. Each episode dives into the victims, the set-up, the sting, and that bold blunder that unraveled it all.  

Hear about a billion-dollar tax fraud that sucked in some of the world’s most savvy investors, or the tales of the real victims and perpetrators of "grandparent scams". We’ll also bring you stories from the bizarre world of job phishing. 

From identity theft to social engineering attacks, and Ponzi schemes, Nickel & Crime breaks down some of the most fascinating and insidious financial crimes of the last decade and examines what new crimes are coming our way. 

About Early Warning

Nickel & Crime is brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Early Warning is also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch PazeSM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products and protect financial transactions.  

Learn more about Early Warning at https://www.earlywarning.com/ 

What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews, or email us at nickelandcrime@earlywarning.com