Never Saw Me Coming
How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System—and Pocketed $40 Million
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4.3 • 51 Ratings
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- $1.99
Publisher Description
A riveting true story of an unsuspecting woman who creates an ingeniously clever white-collar scheme that manipulates the Federal banking system out of millions—who eventually loses everything that is most important to her.
In Never Saw Me Coming, Tanya Smith shares her deeply personal and remarkable story of how she went from a precocious young girl to a money-grabbing, computer-savvy wiz. It starts out as a keen interest in technology and innocently acquiring phone numbers to Michael Jackson, as well as other celebrities, and moves to her successfully stealing and depositing $5,000 into her grandmother’s banking account. By the time she is 18, the risk taker has confiscated millions in cash.
The FBI is hot on her tail and hauls her in for an interview, demanding Smith let them know who she’s working for, “as these are not the kind of crimes Black people are smart enough to commit.” Their words, indicating that intelligence was determined by race, severely offended Smith. Up for the challenge, she proves the FBI wrong and over time steals $40 million dollars, while securing diamonds, gold bars, and other commodities. Her lifestyle attracts the wrong kind of people, even those who set out to kill her.
Law enforcement persisted, ultimately dubbing Smith "one of the single biggest threats to the entire United States banking system." She receives an outrageous prison sentence—the longest for a white-collar offense—and is eventually released by mounting her own brilliant defense.
Complete with unexpected twists and turns, Never Saw Me Coming is a gripping caper that reminds never to underestimate a woman.
Named Amazon Editor's Pick and one of the Best Books of the Month for August 2024.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
This true-crime memoir is the unbelievable story of a teenager who learned how to con big banks out of millions. Tanya Smith recounts her origins as a Minneapolis teen tricking phone companies into handing over celebrities’ numbers—and how this skill led her to start swindling banks through jaw-dropping fake transfers. But don’t expect a dark tale of a young criminal’s tragic downfall. Smith is a formidably upbeat narrator, and her smooth-talking skills are on full display as she spins fascinating (and often funny!) anecdotes about the ins and outs of fooling the banking system. Still, Smith isn’t afraid to dig into the tougher aspects of her criminal life, from the emotional toll of prison to her experiences of racism at the hands of law enforcement. If you’re a sucker for a charming thief with some real self-awareness, dive into Never Saw Me Coming.
Customer Reviews
MUST READ TRUE CRIME STORY
Wow! This book is simply amazing. First, it is an easy read because of the fascinating stories shared in each chapter, the vibrant characters, and the plot twists along the way. The book made me laugh, scream, and cry. Tanya Smith is an amazing storyteller with a powerful story.
Wait this is a true story??
This autobiography was truly took me on a rollercoaster of emotions as I followed the ups and downs of Tanya’s journey. I could not put the book down. 10/10 read!
Fascinating story written by a brilliant woman
Truth is stranger than fiction. I was hooked on her story and could not put it down.