Introducing: Explosive Lies
The News Agents
Global
4.1 • 5.4K Ratings
🗓️ 18 January 2026
⏱️ 46 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Here's a new podcast you might like - this is episode 1 of Explosive Lies. All episodes are available now on Global Player, or search for 'Explosive Lies' wherever you get your podcasts.
Jim McCormick was a cocky English salesman with an outrageous claim: a black plastic gadget that could sniff out bombs using “electromagnetic energy.” The science was pure fiction. But in the panic after 9/11, governments bought the lie - paying up to $60,000 for a device that started life as a $20 novelty golf-ball finder.
McCormick sold hope to armies and security forces across the globe. But hope turned deadly. Behind the deals were fragmented friendships, betrayals, and a truth so dangerous it would take years to drag into the light.
Alice Levine uncovers the jaw-dropping story of a con that cost countless lives - and the unlikely people who stopped at nothing to uncover the truth.
Explosive Lies is a Global Original podcast, produced by Forest Sounds in partnership with Dentsu Entertainment.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | This is a global player original podcast. |
| 0:05.0 | Now, as you know, we don't usually do this, but because so many of you, absolutely, very generously loved coining it, we have got another series in that sort of style for you. |
| 0:13.9 | It's one of those scams that is so unbelievable, so jaw-dropping, you almost have to admire the nerve. |
| 0:19.7 | Sound familiar? That's until, of course, you see the damage done. |
| 0:22.6 | It's brought to you by the incredible Alice Levine, who is with me now to tell you about that serious explosive lies. |
| 0:27.6 | Alice, tell us about it. |
| 0:28.6 | Yes, this starts with a stocking filler, a $20 supposed golf ball finder, and it is then used at checkpoints around the world as a defense against |
| 0:40.4 | explosives. It's put in the hands of everyday people who thought that they were going to be |
| 0:44.8 | protected. And we had governments, we had security forces, we had experts endorsing and helping |
| 0:52.0 | it spread. And there's one guy at the center of this con, Jim, |
| 0:56.4 | and he is one of the most audacious con men I have ever heard about. And we just let this |
| 1:03.4 | story unfold and it gets more and more bonkers as it goes. And listeners are about to hear |
| 1:07.9 | the first episode now, but all episodes are available now on the feed. |
| 1:11.8 | And they should listen to them one after the other. Indeed. So if you want to hear more, |
| 1:14.7 | all episodes of the say of Explosive Lies are available on Global Player or wherever you get your |
| 1:18.5 | podcast. Follow the link in the description of this episode or just search Explosive Lies. We really |
| 1:23.4 | hope you enjoy it. Just a heads up, this podcast contains strong language and adult themes |
| 1:28.7 | that may not be suitable for all listeners. This story starts in a tiny village in Merseyside. |
| 1:37.9 | Steve chose to retire here because it's so sleepy. Some might even say sedated. On this crisp February morning in 2011, the streets are |
| 1:47.8 | characteristically quiet, save for the odd neighbour leaving their mini mansion to get in their car to work. |
| 1:54.5 | Others are still having their first cup of tea of the day in the comfort of their cookie cutter houses. |
| 2:00.4 | It's hard to imagine the energy and frenzy of Liverpool just down the road, |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Global, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Global and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.