Operation Fraud

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities

Episode: Operation Fraud
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Aaron Mahnke
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild

---

Episode Overview

In "Operation Fraud," Aaron Mahnke guides listeners through two tales rooted in deception and haunting ambition. The episode begins with a mysterious photograph said to capture the spirit world and continues with the disastrous misdirection of the Fourth Crusade. Both stories use history’s strange intersections of belief, power, and fraud to explore how humans seek purpose, solace, or gain—even by dubious means.

---

Story 1: The Spirit Photographer

[00:04 – 05:27]

Key Discussion Points

• Setting the Scene:

  • February 1872, Boston. A woman dressed in mourning enters a photographer’s studio (“She was wearing the traditional mourning clothes of a widow, a black dress and bonnet, and a black veil over her face.” [00:18])
  • She has suffered extraordinary loss: husband, three sons, and three brothers.

• William Mumler’s Studio:

  • William Mumler: self-proclaimed spirit photographer, renowned for allegedly capturing the dead in his pictures.
  • Mumler’s career began after developing a photo showing a mysterious apparition—his late cousin—standing behind him.
    • “He had discovered his talent a decade prior when he took a self portrait and once it had developed, saw the ghostly figure of his late cousin in the back of the frame.” [00:55]
  • He becomes prominent among grieving families seeking contact with lost loved ones.

• A Secretive Client:

  • The widow introduces herself as Mrs. Tindall but is later revealed to be Mary Todd Lincoln, former first lady.
  • She is a believer in spiritualism, having attended seances to contact her dead.
  • She requests a photo, hoping to see her deceased husband.

• The Photograph’s Reveal:

  • The photo shows a faint figure behind her, discernible as Abraham Lincoln.
  • Another customer remarks on the likeness—“She remarked that the figure standing behind her looked just like Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Tindall replied that it did because it was Abraham Lincoln.” [02:44]
  • Mary Todd Lincoln had used a false name for privacy.
  • For her, this was definitive proof of Mumler’s gift; others remained deeply skeptical, suspecting fraud.

• Enduring Mystery:

  • Over 150 years later, experts believe Mumler’s images were manipulated but cannot explain exactly how.
    • “While experts believe that his photos were manipulated, there is still no consensus on how he created them in the first place... unless Mumler's ghost reappears to explain his bag of tricks, we'll likely never know the truth.” [03:40]

Notable Quote

• Aaron Mahnke:
  • “To some, including Mrs. Lincoln, this was proof that Mumler was no fraud and his photos really did capture the spirits of the dead. Of course, many skeptics still agree.” [03:23]
  • “Unless Mumler’s ghost reappears to explain his bag of tricks, we’ll likely never know the truth.” [04:05]

---

Story 2: The Fourth Crusade – Ambition and Betrayal

[06:05 – 12:11]

Key Discussion Points

• Revisiting the Crusades:

  • The Crusades’ public image has shifted from heroic quests to violent, misdirected conflicts.
  • Of the eight Crusades, the Fourth is highlighted as “by far the biggest disaster.” [06:18]

• Pope Innocent III and the Call to Arms:

  • In 1198, Pope Innocent III calls for another crusade to recapture Jerusalem.

• Enter Enrico Dandolo of Venice:

  • Described vividly: “Paintings of Enrico show him with an angry expression on his face, a sharp beak like nose and a strange pointed red hat. The guy looked just like a villain and he was prepared to act like one as well.” [06:46]
  • Offers ships and money to the Crusaders—if they first conquer Zara, a Christian city aligned with Hungary, for Venice's benefit.
  • Despite papal opposition and excommunication threats, the Crusaders attack Zara.

• Constantinople’s Fall:

  • Dandolo’s true aim: revenge on the Byzantines, securing trade and political dominance.
  • Manipulates the Crusaders into attacking Constantinople under the pretense of religious unity and “saving them from heresy.”
  • The city falls after a brutal siege: “Once inside, they murdered and assaulted the citizens; they stole from businesses and churches alike. It was a crusade that had led to Christians killing Christians.” [09:49]

• Short-Lived Victory:

  • Enrico and the Crusaders divide the spoils, but the arrangement collapses; Byzantines reclaim Constantinople decades later.
  • Enrico Dandolo dies in 1205, not living to see his gains undone.

• Cautionary Reflection:

  • “A rich guy with a bit of power... puts on the costume of religion as a tool to fool the masses and then steals whatever he wants. And ultimately, like so many other dictators throughout history, all of Enrico’s works were eventually undone.” [11:37]

Notable Quotes

• Aaron Mahnke:
  • “It's a tale as old as time. A rich guy with a bit of power, one who only cares about himself, mind you, puts on the costume of religion as a tool to fool the masses and then steals whatever he wants.” [11:28]

---

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Mary Todd Lincoln’s Identity Revealed:

  • “The truth was, the woman’s name wasn’t actually Mrs. Tindall. She was Mary Todd Lincoln, the former first lady of the United States.” [02:36]

• Religious Expediency at Its Worst:

  • “They sacked the city and Venice was excommunicated. But the Pope eventually forgave the Crusaders because, you know, he needed to keep them crusading.” [08:14]

• Irony of the Fourth Crusade:

  • “It was a crusade that had led to Christians killing Christians.” [09:49]

---

Tone & Storytelling Style

Aaron Mahnke maintains his classic tone of wry curiosity and historical intrigue, balancing somber topics with an engaging, narrative-driven style. He draws clear lines between belief, ambition, and the ways deception—whether as hope or as fraud—shapes the human story.

---

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

“Operation Fraud” is perfect for fans of the uncanny, history’s mysteries, and the cautionary power of storytelling. From spectral photographs that still puzzle experts to the tangled motivations behind one of history’s most disastrous Crusades, Mahnke connects the dots between the personal need for connection and the perils of unchecked ambition or deception.

---

Stay curious.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Aaron Mahnke]

This show is sponsored by American Public University. Success starts with your drive, and American Public University is here to fuel it. With affordable tuition and over 200 flexible online programs, APU helps you gain the skills and confidence to move forward. Whether you're changing careers, starting fresh, or pursuing a lifelong passion, APU's programs are designed for people who never stop. You bring the fire. Apu will fuel the journey. Learn more at apu.apus.edu. Welcome to Erin Menke's Cabinet of Curiosities, a production of iHeartRadio and Grim and Mild. Our world is full of the unexplainable, and if history is an open book, all of these amazing tales are right there on display, just waiting for us to explore. Welcome to the Cabinet of Curiosities. On a cold afternoon In February of 1872, a middle aged woman walked into a photographer's studio in Boston. She was wearing the traditional mourning clothes of a widow, a black dress and bonnet, and a black veil over her face. Even though it had been almost seven years since her husband passed away, the woman had experienced a shocking amount of grief in the past couple decades. Along with her husband, she had lost three sons and three of her brothers. But in her darkest days, she found comfort in the belief that the dead aren't really gone, they're just in a different place. And that was why she had traveled all the way to Boston to visit this particular photo studio. The shop's owner, William Mumler, had made a name for himself as a spirit photographer, someone who could capture apparitions of the dead with his camera. He had discovered his talent a decade prior when he took a self portrait and once it had developed, saw the ghostly figure of his late cousin in the back of the frame standing right behind him. Mumler had opened a photography business to share his spiritual gift with other grieving families, or to take advantage of them, depending on who you asked. Plenty of people at the time were convinced that Mumler was a fraud and the supposed ghosts in the photos were fake. But the woman who walked into his shop that afternoon was a true believer. She'd been going to seances for years, and she was convinced that she'd spoken to the dead, so why couldn't she see them as well? The woman shook Mumler's hand and introduced herself as Mrs. Tindall. She sat down in the chair in front of the camera and waited while he set up his equipment. When the camera was ready, Mrs. Tindall lifted her veil and sat perfectly still. When Mumler snapped the shutter. Nothing unusual seemed to happen. She didn't feel any sort of supernatural presence or see any flashes of light in the corner of her eye as she left the studio. She couldn't be sure that it had worked at all. But a few days later she came back to pick up the photo print, hoping for the best. Mumler sorted through a pile of envelopes until he found the one that had her name on it, and when she opened it and pulled out the photo inside, she gasped. In the photo, there was a pale figure standing behind Mrs. Tindall with his hands on her shoulders. It was faint, but if she looked closely, she could make out the angular nose and close cropped beard of her husband. Another customer who was in the shop at the time leaned over Mrs. Tindall's shoulder to take a peek at the photo. She remarked that the figure standing behind her looked just like Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Tindall replied that it did because it was Abraham Lincoln. The truth was, the woman's name wasn't actually Mrs. Tindall. She was Mary Todd Lincoln, the former first lady of the United States. She had given the photographer a fake name to protect her privacy. And even though Mumler hadn't figured out her real identity, the apparition in the photo came out looking exactly like her famous husband, who had been assassinated at Ford's Theater seven years earlier. To some, including Mrs. Lincoln, this was proof that Mumler was no fraud and his photos really did capture the spirits of the dead. Of course, many skeptics still agree. But more than 150 years later, while experts believe that his photos were manipulated, there is still no consensus on how he created them in the first place. And unless Mumler's ghost reappears to explain his bag of tricks, we'll likely never know the truth. This show is sponsored by American Public University. Success starts with your drive, and American Public University is here to fuel it. With affordable tuition and over 200 flexible online programs, APU helps you gain the skills and confidence to move forward. Whether you're changing careers, starting fresh, or pursuing a lifelong passion, APU's programs are designed for people who never stop. You. Bring the fire apart. Apu will fuel the journey. Learn more at apu.apus.edu.

[Podcast Host]

You'Ve never been one to settle, stand down, or stand still. You're a lifelong learner, energized by excellence. There's a fire inside you you can't ignore. You've got competition to outrun, momentum to build on, and your own high standards to meet. Stop now not a chance. At Capella University, we help you catch what you're chasing because you've always had the drive. Now go earn the degr. Capella University. What can't you do? Visit Capella Edu to learn more.

[Aaron Mahnke]

The Crusades have undergone a bit of a PR crisis in recent years. Whereas they used to be looked upon as a series of heroic quests undertaken by brave knights, in the modern day they are seen as violent wars over a religion that preaches peace. There were eight Crusades in total, and most of them were less than successful. But of all of them, the Fourth Crusade was by far the biggest disaster. It began in the year 1198 when Pope Innocent III called for a new Crusade on Jerusalem. The previous Crusade, which was the most famous one with Richard the Lionheart, had ended with many Christian territorial conquests, including Cyprus and much of the Israeli coast. But the Muslims still control the all important city of Jerusalem, where Christians believe Jesus died and was resurrected. Enter Enrico Dandolo, the ruler of Venice. Paintings of Enrico show him with an angry expression on his face, a sharp beak like nose and a strange pointed red hat. The guy looked just like a villain and he was prepared to act like one as well. As Crusaders gathered and prepared for the journey to the Holy Land, he offered to finance their journey with a fleet of warships. But they had to do something for him first. He wanted them to sail across the Adriatic Sea to the city of Zara, which was directly east from Venice in modern day Croatia. The city had recently allied itself with Hungary and Enrico wanted the Crusaders to conquer it and bring it under Venetian rule. Pope Innocent was completely against this, as this was a Christian city. He threatened to excommunicate Venice and the Crusaders if they went through with this plan. Some of the Crusaders abandoned their mission, but enough were willing to go through with the attack. Enrico's money and ships were just too tempting to pass up. When they arrived, they sacked the city and Venice was excommunicated. But the Pope eventually forgave the Crusaders because, you know, he needed to keep them crusading. They traveled around Greece and headed for Jerusalem. But once again, Enrico proved to have ulterior motives. Years before, he had been ousted from an advisory position in the Byzantine court at Constantinople. This was a massive, well fortified city that today we call Istanbul. It's strategically important too, as it serves as a gateway between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Enrico wanted the Crusaders to attack Constantinople and place a new emperor on its throne, giving him control of the Byzantine Empire. The Empire spanned all of Greece And Turkey. And this time he claimed that it was for religious reasons, maybe with giant air quotes there. The Byzantines had split from the Catholic Church years prior, forming their own Eastern Orthodox Church in an event known as the Great Schism. Enrico's argument was that they could bring the Byzantines back into the Catholic fold and save them from heresy. And the plan started out okay for him. When the Crusaders first surrounded the city, they were able to force the surrender of the current emperor and put Enrico's puppet on the throne. But as you can imagine, this didn't go over very well with the locals. In their mind, an army from a foreign land two peninsulas over had arrived and forced a new leader and a new church on them. And they were not having it. And so the people rebelled under the leadership and quickly executed Enrico's puppet emperor. But the Crusaders simply couldn't admit their mistakes and head for Jerusalem. One of the major issues with any crusade was that it was difficult to keep such a large army well supplied in a foreign land. The Crusaders were now almost out of food and their ships needed repairs before sailing again. And so they made the most unchristian decision possible. They decided to attack. On the morning of April 9th in the year 1204, tens of thousands of Crusaders climbed over the walls and battered down the gates of Constantinople. Once inside, they murdered and assaulted the citizens they stole from businesses and churches alike. It was a crusade that had led to Christians killing Christians. But of course, Enrico now had what he wanted. Venice controlled trade from Italy to Turkey, and a new emperor was installed on the throne. And the Crusaders split up the lands amongst themselves. However, the fractured nature of this arrangement meant that the Byzantines were still able to regroup and retake Constantinople a few decades later in 1261. Not that Enrico lived to see it, mind you. He died just a year after the crusade in 1205. It's a tale as old as time. A rich guy with a bit of power, one who only cares about himself, mind you, puts on the costume of religion as a tool to fool the masses and then steals whatever he wants. And ultimately, like so many other dictators throughout history, all of Enrico's works were eventually undone. I hope you've enjoyed today's guided tour of the Cabinet of Curiosities. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts or learn more about the show by visiting Curiosities Podcast. The show was created by me, Aaron Manke, in partnership with How Stuff Works. I make another award winning show called Lore, which is a podcast, book series and television show. And you can learn all about it [e-mail] and until next time, stay curious. This show is sponsored by American Public University. Success starts with your drive, and American Public University is here to fuel it. With affordable tuition and over 200 flexible online programs, APU helps you gain the skills and confidence to move forward. Whether you're changing careers, starting fresh, or pursuing a lifelong passion, APU's programs are designed for people who never stop. You bring the fire. Apu will fuel the journey. Learn more at apu.apus.edu this is an iHeart podcast.

[Podcast Host]

Guaranteed Human.