Crimes of the Centuries

S6 Ep25: Abscam: The Sting that Swept Washington

September 7, 2026·56 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

A con man with a gift for talking fast and a knack for never getting caught made himself invaluable to the FBI in the late 1970s — and the FBI made him the centerpiece of the biggest political corruption sting in a generation. It never should have worked, yet it went further than anyone expected.Crimes of the Centuries is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes and more over at www.grabbagcollab.comOrder the Crimes of the Centuries book at your favorite bookstore or at www.centuriespod.com/book!Follow us on Instagram and other social media: @centuriespod Episode Sponsors: Rula. Affordable, insurance-covered therapy with average $15 copays and licensed in-network providers, at Rula.com/COTC.Wildgrain. Bakery-quality sourdough, pastries, and French butter delivered frozen and ready in 25 minutes, with $30 off your first box at Wildgrain.com/COTC.Timeline (Mitopure Exfoliator). A gentle leave-on exfoliator pairing acids with Mitopure for resurfacing and cellular support, with a 15-day trial for $22 at Timeline.com/COTC.Quince. Elevated bedding, apparel, and home essentials priced 50-80% less than similar brands, at Quince.com/CENTURIES.

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