Todd Dean “Selfie Scammer”: How OSINT & Surveillance Built a Case

Romance Scam Series — Part 2

Summary

In Love Con Revenge, the Todd Dean “Selfie Scammer” episode follows Cecilie Fjellhøy and private investigator Brianne Joseph as they assist Jill Schardein in documenting alleged deception surrounding a proposed wellness retreat near Nashville.

Below, we outline what the series depicts, what reputable outlets have reported, and how private investigators approach comparable cases using OSINT, background checks, surveillance, and disciplined due diligence.

All statements reference publicly available reporting and court documents. Allegations remain unproven unless adjudicated in court. This article is for educational purposes only.

Love Con Revenge: The Todd Dean Story

According to the program and related reporting, Jill said she met Todd Dean on Facebook Dating. She described early “love-bombing,” frequent selfies, and increasing financial requests tied to “startup costs” for a mental-health facility called Sanjara Wellness. The show’s first episode, “The Selfie Scammer,” uses this pattern to illustrate common romance-fraud tactics.

Independent coverage confirms the show’s format: victims working with investigators to compile enough documentation for potential law enforcement review.

What Credible Reporting Adds

• Civil judgments and admissions: Nashville’s WSMV reported that Jill Schardein obtained a civil default judgment for roughly US $30,727.50, and that during bankruptcy proceedings, Dean admitted he had lived on loans from women and other creditors while attempting to launch Sanjara Wellness.

• Bankruptcy and property filings: Public dockets show Dean filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in late 2023. Local media also reported that the Sanjara property was listed for sale while several women pursued civil actions.

• Public sightings: When he failed to appear in court, reporters later located him at a poker event, a fact mentioned in multiple local reports.

These articles and the series describe allegations and civil outcomes. Criminal charges were not referenced in those reports as of September 2025.

A Cautious Background Snapshot

Profiles compiled around the series’ release portray Dean as a Nashville-area entrepreneur with experience in insurance, startups, and investor networks. The “Selfie Scammer” nickname reportedly originated from his habit of sending frequent self-portraits to partners. Dean did not appear on camera or provide public comment for the program.

Treat all biographical information as reported, not independently verified in court records.

Inside the Todd Dean Case: The Investigator’s Playbook

1 – OSINT and Records Groundwork

Investigators built a factual baseline: verified legal names, business entities, domain history, addresses, property rolls, and licensing claims. This open-source sweep established which elements warranted formal background checks.

2 – Witness Development

Third-party interviews with contractors, vendors, and former staff helped date events and corroborate statements. Each witness contributed documentation such as invoices or emails supporting the timeline.

3 – Social Discovery & Location Work

Using open-source tools and social-media platforms, investigators located additional witnesses and traced activity connected to Sanjara Wellness.

4 – Behavioural Leads → Event Reconnaissance

Because local reporting noted a poker hobby, investigators discreetly observed tournament venues near Nashville. Stationary surveillance in public areas provided lawful confirmation of presence without engagement.

5 – Mobile Surveillance

When movement occurred, investigators followed at a lawful distance, establishing travel routes that connected Dean to the Sanjara property — reinforcing location claims made in interviews.

6 – Evidence Brief

All data were organized into a clear, sequential report including victim statements, banking exhibits, third-party documentation, registry extracts, and surveillance logs. Proper packaging made the evidence usable by counsel or law enforcement.

Emotional Mechanics — The Psychology Behind the Pattern

Both the show and reporting highlight a recurring sequence seen in many romance-fraud investigations:

1. Rapid bonding and declarations of love

2. Requests for help or investment linked to a compelling cause

3. Short-term “repayments” to build trust

4. Escalating asks coupled with guilt or blame

5. Withdrawal and avoidance once funds stop

Recognizing this cycle early—and documenting every interaction—can prevent further harm and preserve legal options.

What Advanced Investigation Revealed

Multiple Victim Accounts

Investigators assembled a cross-victim timeline matrix showing similar scripts: fast emotional escalation, business-funding appeals, and matching payment destinations.

Third-Party Corroboration

Former vendors and assistants supplied dated invoices and texts aligning with victims’ accounts. Consistency across sources strengthened credibility.

Financial Mapping

Victims provided transfer receipts and app screenshots. Analysts grouped recurring payees, highlighted “repayment + thank-you” transactions used to establish trust, and mapped flows to company entities.

Corporate and Property Checks

Public registries tied business names and domains to the Sanjara address; property rolls and licensing databases confirmed occupancy and ownership history.

Location and Lifestyle Verification

Venue reconnaissance and mobile observation linked present-day activities to the reported wellness project, adding context to financial narratives.

Digital OSINT Pivots

Archived web data and image metadata connected social-media profiles, domain registrations, and posting habits—helping establish continuity between online identities and real-world operations.

Proper Evidence Handling

The resulting brief included chain-of-custody notes, chronological indexing, and clear source attribution—transforming scattered anecdotes into actionable material.

Legal and Ethical Guardrails

All evidence referenced in the series was gathered within local and federal laws. Investigators avoided impersonation or unlawful pretexting, conducted surveillance only in public areas, and followed relevant consent-recording rules.
In Canada, comparable work falls under PSISA and the Criminal Code; in the U.S., investigators must adhere to state-specific surveillance and privacy statutes.

If This Situation Feels Familiar

1. Stop sending money.

2. Preserve all communications — texts, DMs, emails, and receipts with timestamps.

3. Report to the platform and police.

   • In Canada, also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501).

4. Engage a licensed private investigator to verify identities, perform background checks, and compile a defensible evidence brief.

Related Resource: BMO “Card Security Alert” Scam

Romance scams aren’t the only threat. Text and email phishing campaigns often impersonate banks to steal credentials.

🎥 Watch: BMO Client Card Security Alert — Scam of the Week on YouTube

You’ll learn:

• How scam texts mimic real bank alerts

• Red-flag wording and suspicious URLs

• Safe steps: don’t click links, contact your bank directly, and report the message

How We Help — Coast to Coast

The Smith Investigation Agency Inc. operates nationwide across Canada, assisting clients with:

• Romance and investment-fraud investigations

• Background and due-diligence checks

• OSINT and records research

• Surveillance (mobile / static, lawful)

• Evidence packaging for police or legal counsel

📞 Free, confidential consultation:
smithinvestigationagency.com/services/specialized-investigative-services-form

Todd Dean (“Selfie Scammer”) — Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Todd Dean?
A Nashville-based entrepreneur featured in Netflix’s Love Con Revenge (Episode 1, “The Selfie Scammer”). The program and media coverage describe civil disputes involving alleged romance-investment behaviour.

Why the nickname?
It stems from his frequent use of selfies and short videos sent to partners, according to interviews in the series and press reporting.

Was he in the Netflix show?
No. Coverage indicates he did not participate or offer comment; the episode focuses on investigators and victims.

What is Sanjara Wellness?
A registered business entity connected to the events described in the series. Public filings show property and bankruptcy proceedings related to it.

How much money was in dispute?
Local media reported losses in the tens of thousands per complainant, including a default judgment for about US $30,727.50 in one case.

Did any court find him liable to repay?
Yes—civil default judgments were entered in certain cases, as publicly reported. Civil outcomes differ from criminal findings.

Has he been criminally charged?
As of September 2025, available coverage referenced only civil and bankruptcy matters. No criminal charges were noted in those reports.

What does Episode 1 show investigators doing?
Applying OSINT, witness outreach, venue reconnaissance, and surveillance—then packaging results into a structured report for potential law enforcement review.

If I suspect similar conduct, what should I do?
Stop transfers, preserve evidence, report to authorities, and contact a licensed PI. In Canada, also notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Are romance scams common?
Unfortunately, yes. The FTC recorded US $1.14 billion in romance-scam losses (2023); Canada’s CAFC reported CA $638 million in total fraud losses (2024), with romance scams among the highest categories.

Disclaimer

This article draws on information from publicly available court filings, bankruptcy records, and credible media sources. Allegations discussed remain unproven unless confirmed through judicial findings. The Smith Investigation Agency Inc. offers this content for informational and educational purposes only and makes no independent factual assertions regarding any individual or case outcome.