The Knife: Off Record – Episode 112 Summary

Introduction

In Episode 112 of The Knife: A True Crime Podcast, hosts Hannah Smith and Pasha Eaton delve into the intricate and harrowing story of Chad Hauser, an international con man whose manipulative schemes have left numerous victims devastated. Released on June 12, 2025, this episode meticulously unpacks Hauser's deceptive tactics, the profound impact on his victims, and the ongoing efforts to bring him to justice.

Sarah's Encounter with Chad Hauser

The narrative begins with Hannah recounting how she first learned about Chad Hauser through an email from a woman she refers to as Sarah. Sarah’s initial interaction with Hauser seemed innocuous; they met within the vibrant expat community in Portugal. Sarah describes Hauser as a seemingly affluent individual who hosted extravagant parties and claimed to have attended Yale University.

[02:00] Hannah Smith: "He had this penthouse that he was renting, and he would have these elaborate parties there with a lot of drugs and partying. And he also told her he went to Yale."

However, Sarah’s trust quickly turned into suspicion when Hauser asked her to cover unexpected costs for shipping her belongings and purchasing plane tickets, which later turned out to be fraudulent.

[03:07] Pasha Eaton: "He's really wealthy. That's what she knows about him. He's thrown these elaborate parties at his penthouse in Portugal, where she initially meets him."

Sarah eventually discovered a Facebook group filled with Hauser's victims, revealing that her experience was just a fraction of his extensive scams.

Discovery of Chad Hauser's Scams

Upon realizing that Hauser was not who he claimed to be, Sarah’s search led her to a Facebook page dedicated to his victims, numbering almost 500 members. This revelation underscored the scale of Hauser's fraudulent activities, establishing him as a prolific con artist with a pattern of deceit and exploitation.

[04:16] Pasha Eaton: "But one of the people that she connected with through Facebook that she then connected me with is Chad's ex-wife, Jordana."

Jordana Hauser's Detailed Testimony

The episode pivots to the compelling and distressing account of Jordana Hauser, Chad’s ex-wife, who provides an in-depth look into the manipulative dynamics of their relationship.

Background and Marriage

Jordana, an accomplished businesswoman from Hawaii, moved to Bali to marry Chad, drawn by his apparent wealth and sophistication. Their marriage was marked by lavish expenditures, including a $150,000 wedding and an opulent honeymoon across Europe.

[12:43] Jordana Hauser: "We rented Ferraris. We stayed at the St. Regis hotels. We went all throughout Rome, Italy, Positano, the Amalfi coast."

Red Flags and Manipulation

Despite the grandeur, subtle red flags began to surface. Chad exhibited controlling behaviors, such as restricting access to financial information and pressuring Jordana to sell her properties, ostensibly for better investments.

[11:25] Pasha Eaton: "But this predates postmates, so no excuses. You need forks, right?"

Financial Abuse and Control

Jordana entrusted Hauser with $350,000 from her investment account. Over time, she discovered that Hauser had been siphoning funds to support his lavish lifestyle and fraudulent ventures. Attempts to access her money were thwarted by Hauser's deceitful tactics, including providing fake bank statements.

[29:36] Jordana Hauser: "I think I paid for my wedding. I paid for my wedding dress. I paid for everything. And I didn't know I was paying for everything. So that's kind of when I realized that he was using all my money."

Violence and Isolation

As their financial situation deteriorated, Hauser's behavior became increasingly volatile and abusive. Jordana experienced physical and sexual assault, leading to further isolation from her support systems.

[31:11] Jordana Hauser: "Now I feel like I'm really stuck with this man. It was horrible."

Children's Abduction and Recovery

The situation escalated when Hauser abducted Jordana and Chad's children from Bali, leaving her desperate to recover them. With the assistance of the Association for the Recovery of Children (ARC) and international law enforcement, Jordana eventually regained custody of her children in June 2016.

[45:31] Hannah Smith: "According to our intelligence, Chad Hauser and his mother, Peggy Hauser, blazed a corruptible path through the United States and foreign countries, stealing money from individuals and institutions."

Chad Hauser's Fraudulent Activities and Evasion

Further investigation into Chad Hauser revealed a pattern of fraudulent activities extending beyond personal relationships. Multiple civil lawsuits from 2015 accuse him of breaching contracts and committing fraud, often involving substantial sums of money and misrepresented assets.

[35:06] Pasha Eaton: "And then there's another lawsuit that comes into play in April of 2015. So I guess that predates this last one by a month, but Chad is alleged of owing more than $300,000. He's being accused of fraud."

Hauser's ability to evade legal consequences is attributed to his constant relocation, false identities, and the involvement of his mother, who appears complicit in his schemes.

[35:44] Hannah Smith: "He evaluated." (Context: Unclear Arrest Process)

Community Awareness and Facebook Group

The Facebook group dedicated to Hauser's victims serves as a testament to the widespread impact of his scams. With nearly 500 members, the group shares stories of financial loss, emotional devastation, and the elusive nature of Hauser's operations.

[54:03] Pasha Eaton: "There's a ton of different people posting that he has defrauded them."

Notable interactions within the group include victims debunking Hauser’s fabricated backgrounds and exposing his false narratives.

[56:18] Hannah Smith: "We are really appreciative that Jordana spoke with us, and good to be aware that Chad is out there. He's still out there."

Legal Actions and Current Status

Chad Hauser remains a fugitive with active warrants for his arrest in the United States. Despite arrests in places like Copenhagen, he has managed to evade long-term detention, continuing his pattern of deceit and financial exploitation.

[46:57] Hannah Smith: "But it's interesting that he was with his mother. So his biological mother, who had been in Texas, who I think Jordana had never met, but I'm not 100% sure."

Hauser's manipulation extends to his family, with his mother Peggy Hauser being implicated in his fraudulent endeavors.

[47:03] Hannah Smith: "Peggy Hauser was detained while Chad Hauser escaped apprehension."

Notable Quotes

• Hannah Smith [02:00]: "He had this penthouse that he was renting, and he would have these elaborate parties there with a lot of drugs and partying."

• Pasha Eaton [03:29]: "But she later found out that he had way more victims and that this was like a small drop in the pool of what he had done."

• Jordana Hauser [31:06]: "But where am I going to go? What am I going to do? There's nowhere for me to go. I'm... I have no money."

• Jordana Hauser [50:59]: "He's a horrible human being. He's ruined a lot of people's lives. He ruined my life more than anybody."

Conclusion

Episode 112 of The Knife: A True Crime Podcast offers a chilling exploration of Chad Hauser's manipulative and destructive behavior. Through the testimonies of victims like Sarah and Jordana Hauser, the episode sheds light on the intricate web of deceit spun by Hauser, the profound personal and financial devastation inflicted upon his victims, and the ongoing struggle to hold him accountable. The podcast underscores the importance of awareness and vigilance in identifying and protecting oneself from such pervasive fraudsters.

Recommendations

Following the intense narrative of Chad Hauser, the hosts shared recommendations for other compelling true crime podcasts:

• In Her Defense: Chronicles the story of Helen Nasland, who was convicted of killing her abusive husband, featuring powerful interviews that explore the complexities of self-defense.

  [57:01] Pasha Eaton: "It makes you think. Like, you meet someone and you really have no idea what they're going through."

• Sea of Lies: Produced by CBC's Uncover, this series follows the recovery of a body from the ocean and the subsequent hunt for one of the world's most wanted criminals.

  [59:32] Hannah Smith: "A body is pulled from the ocean and a race against time to capture one of the world's most wanted criminals begins."

These recommendations provide listeners with further insights into intricate and thought-provoking true crime stories.

This summary captures the essence of Episode 112 of The Knife: A True Crime Podcast, highlighting the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn by the hosts, Hannah Smith and Pasha Eaton.