Once Upon A Con: Episode 6 – "He Will Not Stop Until He Kills Me"
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host: Caroline D'Amore
Producer: iHeartPodcast

Introduction

In the gripping sixth episode of Once Upon A Con, host Caroline D'Amore delves deep into the harrowing experience of Nancy, her ex-wife, who fell victim to the manipulative schemes of David Bloom—a self-proclaimed power player and con artist. This episode unpacks the intricate web of deceit spun by Bloom, revealing how he systematically defrauded Nancy and others, ultimately leaving a trail of financial ruin and emotional devastation.

David Bloom’s Charm and Deception

Early Relationship and Financial Manipulation

Nancy recounts her decade-long marriage to David Bloom, during which she initially believed she had found a supportive and loving partner. Bloom presented himself as a successful billboard advertising sales executive, securing big clients like Cirque du Soleil, Fiat Chrysler, and Westfield.

Nancy (02:06): "He convinced me that he was the only one who really knew me, who loved me like no one else had, the only one that truly understood me."

Bloom’s charm extended to organizing high-profile events and associating with celebrities, which further solidified his façade of success and reliability.

The Unraveling of the Scam

Signs of Financial Irregularities

In late 2016, Nancy and David were seemingly thriving in Los Angeles, with Bloom’s billboard advertising business flourishing. However, cracks began to appear when promised services and products, such as Fiat Chrysler’s sponsorship for various galas, failed to materialize.

Nancy (06:01): "I started getting emails about people canceling their private planes and Fiat canceling. Everything falls apart."

Discovery of Identity Theft and Financial Fraud

Nancy’s suspicions intensified when she discovered numerous overdue credit card bills in her name—bills she had no knowledge of. It became evident that Bloom had been systematically opening credit accounts using Nancy’s personal information, incurring charges and managing minimal payments to obscure his fraudulent activities.

Nancy (09:58): "Living in Venice and I go to the mailbox. David had been very strategic... he had opened the credit cards in my name and added his to the account."

Confrontation and Emotional Turmoil

Facing the Betrayal

Armed with evidence of Bloom’s deception, Nancy confronted him, only to be met with manipulation and false apologies. Bloom’s calm demeanor and insincere remorse left Nancy feeling helpless and trapped in the toxic relationship.

Nancy (10:20): "He has this way about him... I'm so sorry. I love you so much. But that was really kind of the last straw for me."

Attempts to Escape

Nancy sought to sever ties by requesting multiple times for Bloom to leave their shared residence. Despite her efforts, Bloom continuously found ways to re-enter her life, manipulating her emotions and creating a sense of dependency.

Isolation and Continued Manipulation

Emotional and Psychological Impact

As Bloom persisted in his deceit, Nancy became increasingly isolated, both emotionally and socially. Her attempts to rebuild her life were thwarted by Bloom’s relentless manipulation, leaving her in a state of severe depression and confusion.

Nancy (16:03): "I couldn't think straight. I didn't know what day it was... It was all I could do to get up, get myself to work, and try to appear like a functioning human being."

Legal and Financial Repercussions

Bloom's fraudulent activities extended beyond personal manipulation. He implicated Nancy in his scams, leading to lawsuits filed against her by other victims who believed she was complicit in his schemes.

Nancy (17:54): "I'd like my money back too. And these days, nothing surprises me about David Bloom because he's been running the same old sorry schemes for the last couple decades."

David Bloom’s Expanding Web of Deceit

Exploiting Family Ties

Bloom’s manipulation wasn’t confined to Nancy alone. He exploited family connections, including Nancy’s own sister and her husband, by creating fraudulent communications and leveraging trusted relationships to swindle money.

Nancy (19:09): "He used my name to email his sisters and her husband, convincing them to invest in pre-IPO stocks, resulting in significant financial losses for them."

Connecting with Other Victims

The episode also introduces Vincent San Marco, another victim of Bloom's cons. Vincent, a restaurateur, shares his experience of how Bloom infiltrated his professional and personal life under the guise of offering business opportunities, ultimately extracting substantial investments from him.

Vincent San Marco (26:57): "He was telling me that he invested in this movie... and I started giving $10K, then $20K. It was too good to be true."

The Climax: Nancy’s Resolve

Final Confrontation and Liberation

After enduring years of manipulation and financial exploitation, Nancy reaches her breaking point. She decides to take decisive action by finally evicting Bloom from her life for good and filing for divorce, despite the legal challenges and financial constraints.

Nancy (17:27): "I took another two years to actually get a divorce. I had to do most of it by myself."

Ongoing Vigilance and Advocacy

Nancy remains vigilant, continuously monitoring Bloom's activities and reporting him to authorities. Her experiences have transformed her into an advocate against such scams, determined to protect others from falling prey to similar manipulative tactics.

Nancy (21:08): "I have worked on women's issues and been an advocate for the last couple decades. I cannot stand by and watch him do this to anybody."

Conclusion: A Warning and a Call to Action

Nancy’s story is a stark reminder of the insidious nature of con artists like David Bloom, who exploit trust and manipulate emotions to achieve their deceitful objectives. Through resilience and determination, Nancy not only seeks justice for herself but also endeavors to safeguard others from experiencing similar tragedies.

Nancy (19:09): "He was completely heartless and ruthless to steal from his own sister... he made him believe I was involved. I'd like my money back too."

Key Takeaways:

• Trust and Deception: Bloom leveraged personal relationships and charismatic behavior to gain trust and manipulate victims.

• Financial Exploitation: Systematic fraud through identity theft and fake business ventures resulted in significant financial losses for victims.

• Emotional Manipulation: Bloom’s tactics included emotional abuse, creating dependency, and isolating victims from their support networks.

• Resilience and Advocacy: Despite the trauma, victims like Nancy strive to rebuild their lives and advocate against such fraudulent practices.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Nancy (02:06): "He convinced me that he was the only one who really knew me, who loved me like no one else had, the only one that truly understood me."

• Nancy (09:58): "Living in Venice and I go to the mailbox. David had been very strategic... he had opened the credit cards in my name and added his to the account."

• Nancy (10:20): "He has this way about him... I'm so sorry. I love you so much. But that was really kind of the last straw for me."

• Nancy (16:03): "I couldn't think straight. I didn't know what day it was... It was all I could do to get up, get myself to work, and try to appear like a functioning human being."

• Nancy (17:54): "I'd like my money back too. And these days, nothing surprises me about David Bloom because he's been running the same old sorry schemes for the last couple decades."

• Nancy (19:09): "He used my name to email his sisters and her husband, convincing them to invest in pre-IPO stocks, resulting in significant financial losses for them."

Final Thoughts

Once Upon A Con Episode 6 serves as a compelling exploration of deceit, manipulation, and resilience. Through Nancy’s harrowing journey, listeners gain invaluable insights into recognizing and combating the tactics of skilled con artists like David Bloom. Caroline D'Amore masterfully intertwines personal testimonies with investigative depth, making this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the dark underbelly of trust and betrayal in personal relationships.