Podcast Summary: The Dating Detectives

Episode: The Con Man Down Under

Release Date: March 23, 2026
Hosts: Mackenzie Fultz (PI), Hanna Anderson (Comedian)
Guest: Tracy Hall, author of The Last Victim

Overview

In this powerful episode, Mackenzie and Hanna are joined by Tracy Hall, an accomplished executive and the last known victim of notorious Australian con artist Hamish McLaren (aka Max Tavita/DeVita). Tracy courageously details how she was slowly manipulated out of her life savings over an 18-month relationship, exposing the subtle, insidious tactics of intimate financial fraud. The episode unpacks the mechanics of trust-based scams, victim shaming, and the aftermath—while providing warnings and tips to listeners.

“Victims of dogfish are not idiots. You didn’t get victimized because you’re dumb… it’s usually just the opposite.”
— Hanna Anderson [03:07]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Meeting "Max": The Slow-Burn Romance

• Tracy began online dating in 2016, via the app Happn, after her divorce ([03:39]).
• She matched with "Max DeVita", who claimed to be a chief investment officer recently returned from NYC.
• Their relationship developed slowly over 18 months—a red flag in reverse, as scammers are often said to rush ([10:03]).
• Max tailored his persona to Tracy’s world: supportive, active, emotionally intelligent, no pressure, and extremely attentive ([08:00], [10:29], [11:58]).

“We’d be happiest sitting on the beach, having a beer, eating hot chips and surfing. He was a great surfer, so patient—he’d push me on 50 waves…”
— Tracy [07:03]

The Building of Trust & Financial Grooming

• Max had believable backstories: orphaned at 6 (parents died in a plane crash), brought up in foster care, long stint working in NYC finance ([06:48]).
• He introduced Tracy to his “CEO” and other work contacts, and provided tangible details (photos, stories, even letters) to reinforce the facade ([24:57]).

“Every story was two lies and a truth, or two truths and a lie… the best lies are close to the truth.”
— Tracy [55:08]

Subtle Red Flags: Hindsight Lessons

• Max avoided spending time with Tracy’s friends, citing lost connections after years abroad ([15:10]).
• He always had plausible, detailed explanations for any gap or oddity in his story (“death by a thousand cuts”—[42:19]).
• He gradually introduced the idea of moving her retirement savings into a self-managed superannuation fund, which then he would ‘manage’ under his name ([18:38]).

“The conversation came in sentences over a long period… first, do you know how much you’re paying in fees to your super fund? Then weeks later… those fund managers are thieves. Then, what return are you getting?”
— Tracy [20:00]

The Crime & Its Unraveling

• Tracy ultimately transferred $317,000—all her career savings—into a fund she believed she controlled, but which Hamish had crafted ([26:18]).
• After a final idyllic getaway, Max suddenly disappeared ([30:29]). Tracy’s friend sent her a news link: her “Max” had been arrested for superannuation fraud, with the Crime Stoppers video showing his arrest ([33:02]).
• Police revealed his real identity: Hamish McLaren, one of Australia’s most prolific con men, wanted for millions in global fraud ([34:32]).

“I thought everything was in my name… I was grieving the death of a fake human and a fake relationship. Then I was starting to hate myself, grieving a criminal.”
— Tracy [37:12]

Aftermath: Trauma, Shame, Survival

• Tracy described the deep shame and isolation that followed—having to show up at work and parent, compartmentalizing her trauma ([46:39]).

“People would say, you’re so resilient. Underneath, I’m thinking, I am so numb—this is not resilience, this is survival.”
— Tracy [48:57]

• Hamish continued to attempt manipulation from jail, calling and sending letters to elicit empathy or lure Tracy into visiting ([42:23]).
• His tactics included dangling information that would supposedly help her recover her money—she later realized it was more manipulation ([43:17]).

Systemic Gaps & Insights on Financial Abuse

• The police told Tracy her recourse was likely civil, seeing it “on paper” as money freely given ([72:17]).
• Coercion and manipulation aren’t always properly recognized as criminal in financial crimes, though Australia has begun considering coercive control as a criminal factor ([72:43]).
• The justice system affords even white-collar criminals sentence reductions for guilty pleas: “25% discount off whatever sentence he would have received,” Tracy notes ([51:15]).
• Hamish was convicted for $7.6 million against 15 Australian victims—likely a fraction of his real global total (est. $80–100 million; [53:59]).

Message to Listeners: Awareness & Protection

• Tracy now advocates for “trust literacy” and digital awareness.
• Tips include:
  • Reverse image search for dating profiles.
  • Double-check domain names/email addresses.
  • Use family passwords for shared financial or personal info.
  • Don’t use your voice in voicemail greetings (to avoid AI cloning).
  • Use AI tools to check for scammy emails ([63:56]).

“The most intelligent thing you can do is humbly accept that it could happen to you.”
— Tracy [63:56]

• Emphasizes teaching tactics, not just scam ‘types,’ since strategies evolve but manipulation patterns remain.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Slow-Burn Con:
  “It’s never the first cut that will kill you. It’s the thousandth cut where you’ll bleed out. That’s exactly what happened.” — Tracy [42:23]
• On Shame & Recovery:
  “You’re so strong… But underneath, this is not resilience. This is survival.” — Tracy [48:57]
• On Protection:
  “Have a family password. If you get a call for money or data, have them provide the password.” — Tracy [65:51]
• On Hope:
  “It’s not going to be the same, but it is going to be okay.” — Tracy [76:39]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Tracy Introduces Her Story & Relationship with Max: [03:39–12:58]
• Red Flags, Online Dating, Building Trust: [12:58–21:04]
• Moving Retirement Fund, the Fraud Unfolds: [18:38–26:18]
• The Confession, Arrest, and Discovery: [30:29–37:12]
• Emotional Fallout, Coping, Sustained Manipulation: [37:12–47:53]
• The Court Case & Systemic Issues: [50:41–53:56]
• Hamish’s Broader Crimes, The Podcast, and Book: [53:56–61:09]
• Scam Awareness, Prevention Tips, “Trust Literacy”: [62:22–67:28]
• Financial Coercion, Law Enforcement Gaps: [71:04–73:26]
• Final Reflections, Updates, Advocacy: [73:26–78:37]
• Hosts’ Debrief, Lessons, and Red Flags Recap: [80:28–94:21]

Further Resources

• Tracy’s Book: The Last Victim (available March 7, 2024, Amazon/Barnes & Noble)
• Podcast on Hamish McLaren: Who the Hell Is Hamish? (The Australian)
• Connect with Tracy:
  • Website: tracyhall.com
  • Instagram: @tracyleehall
  • LinkedIn: Tracy Hall

Conclusion

Tracy’s story is a sobering, incredibly well-articulated account of how anyone, regardless of intelligence or competence, can fall victim to a long, trust-based con. The episode shines a light on the mechanics of financial grooming, the failures of the justice system to adequately address coercive fraud, and the importance of education, community, and conversation. Tracy’s advocacy and her book serve as both a warning and a beacon of hope for those who have been targeted—or fear they could be.

“You don’t have to lose your life savings to a con man to be financially vulnerable… if something does happen, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
— Tracy [76:02]