Episode 392

AI Hallucinations, Donkey Scams, and the DNA of a Fraud Fighter

Published on: 17th February, 2026

Fraudology is presented by Sardine. Request a 1:1 product demo at sardine.ai

In this solo "vacation" episode, Karisse Hendrick checks in from the island of Maui to catch up on the latest in the fraud world before the chaos of conference season begins.

First, Karisse explores a hilarious yet alarming trend in artificial intelligence: AI Hallucinations. Reading from a recent article by Frank McKenna, she highlights how Google’s AI summary tool is confidently inventing absurd fraud schemes—from the "Donkey Scam" involving miniature donkey rescues to the bizarre "Clown Smile Scam" in the dentistry industry. While the examples are funny, Karisse discusses the serious integrity risks that arise when AI refuses to say "I don't know" and instead presents fiction as fact to analysts, journalists, and students.

Later in the episode, Karisse dives into a deeper, more personal topic: The difference between a Fraud Professional and a Fraud Fighter. She shares "core memory" stories—including taking a fraud emergency call from the middle of a family corn maze—to illustrate the relentless drive and "addiction to the hunt" that defines a true fraud fighter.

In this episode, we discuss:

  1. The AI Information Gap: Why Google’s AI summaries are creating "fake" fraud types like hot dog fraud and snowman schemes.
  2. Content Integrity: Karisse’s concerns about AI models using creator content without proper citation or compensation.
  3. The Fraud Fighter Identity: How to recognize if you have fraud prevention in your DNA and why it matters when building a team.
  4. Upcoming Events: Details on the Merchant Advisory Group, the Merchant Risk Council (MRC) in Vegas, and the first annual Merchant Fraud Alliance Conference in Chicago this October.

Fraudology is hosted by Karisse Hendrick, a fraud fighter with decades of experience advising hundreds of the biggest ecommerce companies in the world on fraud, chargebacks, and other forms of abuse impacting a company's bottom line.

Connect with her on LinkedIn

She brings her experience, expertise, and extensive network of experts to this podcast weekly, on Tuesdays.

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About the Podcast

Fraudology Podcast with Karisse Hendrick
Join Fraud Fighter Karisse Hendrick twice a week for deep dive interviews and weekly fraud news.
If you work in online fraud prevention, chances are you've caught the "bug". The bug that makes you passionate about identifying & preventing cybercriminals from getting away with stealing from your company, or your client's companies. Most people who have made cyber-fraud their career have the perfect balance of analytical and social skills, a strong sense of justice and the curiosity that will drive you to go down every path of information until you "crack the case".

Just like sociology is the study of social behavior, and psychology is the study of human behavior, Fraudology is the science and study of fraud.

On the Fraudology podcast, long-time online fraud expert, Karisse Hendrick will dive into all areas of Fraudology from the perspective of a fraud-fighter. With guests ranging from former cybercriminals to fraud-fighters at Fortune 500 companies to law enforcement and others, you will no doubt be entertained, while learning a lot about fraud & other forms of abuse prevention!

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Karisse Hendrick