The Binge Cases: Catch Me If You Ken – Episode 1: "Boyfriend in the Garage"

Release Date: June 2, 2025

Introduction

In the debut episode of "Catch Me If You Ken", part of Sony Music Entertainment's The Binge Cases series, host Natalie Ropamed delves into the intricate web of deceit spun by a charismatic scam artist named Ken. The episode, titled "Boyfriend in the Garage," sets the stage for a gripping true-crime narrative that traverses from Columbus, Ohio, to the glamorous streets of Los Angeles. This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, character dynamics, and the unfolding of Ken's elaborate scam.

Meeting Ken: The Sable Family Christmas Gathering

The story begins on a cloudy Christmas evening in Columbus, Ohio, where Steve and Crystal Sable arrive at Steve’s brother and sister-in-law’s home for a holiday gathering. They are eager to meet their niece Becca’s new boyfriend, Ken—a man who claims to be the son of Uniqlo’s founder, a crypto mogul, and a tech genius.

Crystal Sable expresses her anticipation:

"By the time we got to the 17 Christmas gathering, it was like, oh my goodness, we're gonna meet this guy. Let's see what he's all about." (01:19)

Steve Sable, a detective at the Akron Police Department, remains skeptical yet observant:

"He did have a nice car, if I remember." (01:58)

Upon arrival, the Sables are greeted by an opulent display of 150 red roses, a birthday gift for Becca from Ken, highlighting his generous and affluent persona.

Crystal remarks on the display:

"And it was like, wow, he really is taking good care of her and he's really showering her with all of these gifts." (02:37)

Ken and Becca: A Lifestyle of Luxury

Ken, described as an Asian man in his late 20s with a guarded demeanor, exudes an air of sophistication. Despite his shyness and reluctance to make eye contact, his lavish gifts and lifestyle speak volumes about his supposed wealth.

During their initial interactions, Steve notes Ken’s presentation of expensive cigars:

"We went to the garage and had cigars. This is a 50 or $100 cigar." (05:05)

Crystal observes Ken’s behavior:

"He wouldn't look you in the eye. At least wouldn't look me in the eye." (04:54)

Ken’s background appears impressive—traveling extensively and promising to help Becca start her own fashion line. This portrayal paints him as a benefactor who can transform Becca’s life materially.

Rita: The Housekeeper’s Insight

The narrative shifts to Rita, Ken and Becca’s housekeeper in Los Angeles. Using an alias for undisclosed reasons, Rita provides an intimate look into the couple’s domestic life. She recounts how she met them through an Airbnb and became a trusted member of their household.

Rita shares her initial impressions:

"They were young and rich and really nice and didn't expect a lot. You know, as far as the service, they were always really appreciative." (13:03)

Rita highlights the couple’s generosity, from substantial tips to inclusive gestures like offering coffee and lunch. Their shared love for dogs—Rita's pit bull, Bully, and French bulldog, Guac—further humanizes them.

Rita describes their romantic beginnings:

"She lived outside of New York and so her and her girlfriends used to love to go to the city on the weekends. And they were in a library and they were being goofballs and she was sitting on the floor with a book, reading it upside down. And Ken walks by and says, you know that book's upside down, right? And she giggles and whatnot." (15:30)

The Investment Opportunity: Seeds of Doubt

Seven months after the initial meeting, Becca and Ken marry in secret and relocate to a luxurious seven-million-dollar home in Los Angeles. Their affluent lifestyle seems to solidify their bond, with multiple luxury cars and an extravagant residence.

However, the narrative takes a darker turn when Ken introduces a business opportunity to Becca’s father. Ken proposes an investment in "You Sky Investments," an upscale Airbnb platform aimed at premium short-term rentals. He promises an astronomical return on investment, enticing the financially strained Becca’s grandfather, who is grappling with the costs of his wife's dementia care.

Crystal Sable voices her concerns:

"As a mother of teenage girls, you want your daughter to drop out of college and go around the world with this person that we don't know." (09:28)

Despite Crystal’s reservations, Steve's father, feeling desperate, decides to invest $50,000, hoping to alleviate his financial burdens.

Unraveling the Scam

Crystal, observing the transaction, grows suspicious of the legitimacy of the investment. She questions her father-in-law's judgment, sensing that the deal is too good to be true.

"And I remember going and talking to Mike, that's Becca's grandfather. I'm like, Mike, are you sure about this? Like, I, I, I don't think this is legitimate." (24:27)

Steve reluctantly complies with his father's decision, assisting him in drawing a check for $50,000. Upon returning, they receive a generic stock purchase agreement, lacking substantial evidence of the company's legitimacy.

As the Sables commit a total of $150,000 into Ken’s venture, doubts linger. Steve grapples with the fear that Ken might be exploiting their trust, unaware that Ken and Becca are orchestrating a sophisticated scam that would soon leave them bereft.

Conclusion: The Vanishing Act

The episode culminates with Ken and Becca's abrupt disappearance from their opulent Los Angeles home, leaving behind chaos for their victims. Rita, the housekeeper, becomes one of the unintended victims, her funds vanished without a trace. The Sables find themselves ensnared in a scam that not only costs them financially but also strains familial bonds.

Natalie Ropamed teases the continuing saga:

"This season on Catch Me if You Ken..."

The episode sets the stage for a riveting exploration of deception, trust, and the devastating impact of financial scams on ordinary lives.

Notable Quotes

• Crystal Sable on the luxury Ken displays:

  "He really is taking good care of her and he's really showering her with all of these gifts." (02:37)

• Rita on Ken and Becca’s initial generosity:

  "They were young and rich and really nice and didn't expect a lot." (13:03)

• Crystal Sable expressing skepticism about Becca's relationship:

  "As a mother of teenage girls, you want your daughter to drop out of college and go around the world with this person that we don't know." (09:28)

• Crystal Sable confronting the illegitimacy of the investment:

  "Mike, are you sure about this? Like, I, I, I don't think this is legitimate." (24:27)

Closing Thoughts

"Boyfriend in the Garage" masterfully blends personal narratives with investigative journalism, painting a vivid picture of how charm and generosity can mask deceit. As the Sables’ story unfolds, listeners are left anticipating the next episode in this enthralling true-crime series, eager to uncover the layers of Ken's elaborate scam.

Catch "Catch Me If You Ken" and other gripping true-crime stories on The Binge Crimes and The Binge Cases. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to feed your true crime obsession.