Podcast Episode 2: That Time My Pics Were Shared Without Permission

Jen Friel boards a cruise ship with her family, knowing she's still being followed. She tries to push it out of her mind. It takes less than a day for the pattern to reappear. But this time, something is different. The behavior is bolder. More coordinated. And Jen is done being silent. What happens next sets off a chain of events that takes her from international waters to a police station lobby, from a Yelp search for private investigators to a phone call that changes everything. Along the way, she learns who believes her, who doesn't, and what it actually takes to be heard when no one thinks your story is real. This is the episode where instinct meets action.

Transcription:

Kidnapped on cam, ex-con jailed for smuggling millions of ecstasy pills,

who then became Forbes featured CEO, is arrested in Thailand.

Kidnapped on cam, there's video.

Welcome to Talk Nerdy to Me. This is the unbelievably true life story of Jen Friel.

And a warning to those listening. Once you hear it,

you may never experience your own life in the same way.

LA ex-con turned entrepreneur arrested in bizarre international plot.

Attempted murder, extortion, kidnapping. These weren't headlines and charges Jen Friel went

looking for. They were the headlines and charges a private investigator read back to her.

On the very first night of his investigation, one of the names Jen had given him had just been

arrested with others for violently kidnapping a man in broad daylight from a restaurant in Thailand.

This is the episode where reality catches up to instinct.

The pattern gets a paper trail and suspicion meets evidence.

In June of 2019, I went on a cruise with my mom, my second mother, Debra, and her daughter, Ashley,

who I've known since I was seven. We were supposed to go to Cuba, but because of the

political changes, the trip got rerouted to the Bahamas. I knew I was still being followed at

this point, but followed on a cruise ship in international waters? That's the next level.

I tried to push it out of my mind, but again, I stayed observant. It took less than a day for me

to notice someone who stood out, like a character straight out of a Lifetime movie version of a

private investigator. Only this one felt very different. He was more confident, more obvious.

It was like he had one job and one job only, just to take pictures and video constantly.

I didn't say anything at first. I was still following Gavin's advice to stay quiet.

But what I hadn't really considered before was that this Lifetime movie investigator might not

be acting alone. As we moved from room to room on the ship, I started noticing a pattern.

The same behaviors, the same type of people over and over again. What stood out was what wasn't

happening. They never acknowledged each other. On a cruise ship, that's weird. When you keep

seeing the same people, you smile, you chat, you become quick little vacation friends.

But not here. On the fourth day, inside the Havana lounge, everything clicked into place

for Jen. She saw it with her own eyes and the realization hit so forcefully that she shouted

it out loud. They were working together, operating as a coordinated group. Her mother,

who had been trying to enjoy the vacation, snapped in disbelief, asking if she was seriously

still dealing with the same stalkers. Jen didn't hesitate. She jumped off her bar stool and

explained that the main guy was just a patsy, a distraction meant to make it seem like he was

acting alone. But she had been observing closely. There was another man who never made eye contact,

yet was always within earshot. The pattern felt deliberate, organized. That was the moment she

decided she was done. I walked straight up to the man who is very tall and physically intimidating.

I just remember I'm five foot seven and I just remember vividly looking up at him and him looking

down at me. And I loudly demanded in front of the entire bar to know why he was following me.

I intentionally got close, violating his personal space so I could quickly swipe his phone.

His camera roll was already open, so I began scrolling. What I found was shocking.

There was over four days worth of photos, hundreds, possibly close to a thousand.

None of them were of the cruise itself or the environments we went to.

Every image was of Ashley, Deborah, my mother, or me.

He stood there expressionless and in a flat, monotone voice asked if I wanted him to delete

them. Immediately, I refused. I pointed out that that wouldn't matter, that they were already likely

uploaded remotely. I then pointed to the man who had been lingering nearby, stating clearly that

the two of them were working together. And in that same moment, my strategic instincts kicked in.

If this was being orchestrated, someone would also be documenting the confrontation itself.

itself. Scanning the room, I spotted them, a woman and her partner filming. I recognized

her instantly. We had been on the same bathroom schedule for days. Now addressing the entire

group, I raised my voice and called it out directly. They were all working together and

they need to stop following me. The situation became so undeniable and so unsettling that

ship security stepped in. The main man was banned from being anywhere near us for the

remainder of the cruise. I took a photo of him being escorted out. He's wearing blue.

The woman who had also been filming us was also in blue, but I have no idea if that was

coincidental or not. A man standing nearby seemingly connected to them appeared so uncomfortable

that he pulled his shirt up over his face. Throughout it all, my mother kept repeating

the same thing over and over that I had known. I had known I was being followed and now I

was right. But the validation didn't bring relief. Watching him get removed didn't feel

like a win. He wasn't the source. He's just a visible piece of something larger. Still,

for the first time in two years, there was something concrete. So I finally had external

visual confirmation of what I'd already known. I am being stalked. I am actually being stalked.

Again. These are the actual messages my mom and Ashley sent regarding the incident.

In June of 2019, I went on a mother-daughter trip with my mom, Jen, and her mother. We were

on a cruise for five days. During this time, I witnessed on several occasions people watching

her and taking pictures when she wasn't looking. On one occasion, she called out a man and demanded

he hand her his phone. On it, there were tons of pictures of Jen, me, and our moms. There was also

a couple who was there, and considering it was a pretty big cruise ship, they always seemed to end

up in the same place as us. It was very strange, as they were never eating, drinking, or looked like

they were having any type of fun. To me, it looked like they were on business and were always

watching Jen. The last night we were there, one of the people had followed us to a club, and Jen

ended up calling them out as they were just sitting there watching her. They ended up leaving and

didn't even say a word back. It was the strangest thing. Talking to Jen about it at the time, she was

very nervous and scared for her safety because it was an ongoing thing. I remember that night, we

were in the Havana lounge, and you pointed out a lizard-like guy who you said had been following

you. I also recall you going up to him and the other two people that he was with and accused them

of following you. Normal people would have called you crazy, but from what I recall, they just gave

you a blank stare. You then grabbed the creep's phone and found dozens of pictures of the four of

us. You, Ashley, Debra, and me on his phone. Who does that? Not normal people, that's for sure. This is

the same statement I just gave to an LAPD officer. They both ended their messages with, I hope this

helps. You might not recognize Ashley by name, but there's a good chance you've seen her son, or at

least his face. Her son, Colton, was born with spina bifida. He's a motivational model and speaker who

appeared in a widely seen Target ad in early 2020. The campaign went viral after a video surfaced of

another young boy also with spina bifida and using a wheelchair, seeing the ad and becoming emotional

as he recognized himself in Colton. Their story spread quickly, gaining so much traction that it

aired on ABC News right before Jeopardy. I happen to be at my favorite watering hole when it aired and

shouted to literally the entire bar, which is apparently a theme. You have to see this. They are

the best family ever. Ashley and Colton were later reunited with the young boy on the Kelly Clarkson

show just days later. Ashley and I go way back. We've known each other since we were around seven when our

fathers became best friends in law school. We were raised with the same mindset, call it chutzpah. But

it's the kind that taught us to be aware not afraid. And we were told that if something feels off, you

better speak up about it. That night at the club on the dance floor, it was just the two of us. We were

completely in our element having a time of our lives. And in between the music and the chaos, Ashley

didn't hold back. She called out what she saw directly declaring to anyone watching that she might be a mom,

but she was also from Holyoke, Massachusetts. And that meant something. When the crews got back to the

United

States, I immediately reached out to my friend Bats.

I had known Bats for three years at this point.

I was single when I first moved into my building,

and Bats was a big and scary-looking dude.

Knowing if I ever needed a big and scary-looking dude,

I should befriend him, which I did,

which came in handy in this exact moment.

Hey, are you around tomorrow?

I confidentially need your advice on something.

Yes, but sure as to when.

I am going to be home for a minute today.

Can you give me a hint?

It's always confidential.

I'm actually traveling back.

I'm coming back from a cruise,

and I get in early tomorrow morning.

I'm being followed.

It's gone on for over two years, on and off,

but the following lately has been getting more aggressive.

I actually had a guy show me the creeper photos

he took of me and my family.

They work in these pods,

for lack of a better way of saying it.

I'm very direct now and walk right up to them,

but it's getting to be a bit much,

and I just, I don't know what my options are.

I've tried going to the police before,

and they look at me like I'm crazy.

It was so bad last night that two of the bartenders

on the cruise got involved to try and protect us.

I don't feel threatened in a physical sense.

It's all information gathering,

but it's still very unsettling.

You and I absolutely need to talk,

and you need to assume you're physically threatened.

It's so bad.

They've never been as obvious as they are now.

I took pictures and videos of everyone I saw.

It doesn't ever seem to do any good, though.

It has to be a romantic interest.

There's no way I have enemies rich enough

to keep this up for so long.

Any thoughts whatsoever on who?

Son of some messed up Hollywood type with issues.

Who have you caught staring at you for a brief second,

and who, for some reason, made you think twice?

Anyone come to mind?

Do they look professional?

Have they made contact?

Some do.

Some look professional.

Others are fake.

I don't know if they're actors pretending or what.

It's so hard to believe what I'm seeing

with my own eyes.

I took a deep breath,

knowing I was speaking my truth to someone

who I knew was taking me seriously.

I just couldn't believe what I was saying.

I mean, do the math.

Six people on an international cruise

at approximately 900 per person, which is a low estimate.

That's roughly $5,400.

$5,400 just to blatantly take pictures

and videos of me and my family.

Well, technically speaking, I only saw one phone,

but the photos I took also tell their own truth.

If you're gonna document this much of my own life,

at least have the courtesy of making it rewarding

for me as well.

I mean, there could have been some cute pictures

on that phone.

Now, we'll never know.

Gosh, way to be stupid and selfish at the same time.

I sought Bat's help.

His nickname, by the way, not mine.

But questioned whether to accept it.

I'm going to shadow you for a couple of days.

I can't ask that from you.

I offered.

This is very serious.

I know it is,

which is why I knew you were the only person

I could talk to.

Jen then sent him all of the evidence

she collected on the cruise.

Okay, we'll talk about this.

Thank you for everything.

This is so unsettling.

It should be.

Meantime, you don't go into the garage

where you're stuck alone, especially at night.

Notice any car that even might be following you.

Then, if you are sure,

make some turns that won't make any sense.

Then, if they follow,

listen, I'm going to put you in touch with my assistant.

Well, in a way, she's my assistant,

but she's also gangster AF.

She's there a lot when I'm not

because I've been running like a scalded dog

due to some rough things happening in my business.

But homegirl can be with you where I can't.

She notices everything.

The only way I can describe what I'm seeing

is like it's the Wizard of Oz,

where everything's in color

and these people are in black and white.

Start keeping notes.

Make calendars, diaries.

All of that's going on.

Stress how stressed you are.

Literally, go talk to a therapist.

I wouldn't be surprised

if there are very deep pockets behind this.

If so, intentional infliction of emotional distress

is a legit suit, civil suit, for stalking.

I know that's not your goal, but you're going.

through this hell. If there's a legit yield at the end, then it's good. Even without the money,

it must be empowering for you to confront them. One more question for now. Do you have friends

with lots of money who has been bummed out since you were with your man? Has it been two years with

him? This started before him. We've only been together for 10 months. Okay, I'll help you no

matter what. Always. I then called my boyfriend and told him what Bats had suggested.

That's using you as bait. You can't be used as bait. It's not only unsafe for you,

but you'd be an accessory to assault and open yourself up to criminal charges.

What else do you do in this situation? The police aren't doing anything. Let me make some calls.

Jen's boyfriend was the right hand to a notoriously private but well-known family.

He then gave her a number to call for a private investigator the family uses.

She took a few deep breaths before dialing. How did she get here? She wondered.

Focus on the facts and next steps, she thought, correcting herself.

A very calm and collected voice answered the phone, which was in stark contrast to my completely

freaked out, slightly shrieking, barely recognizable version of self I was presenting.

I then went into what I've seen for the past two years. I confronted the stalkers,

and most specifically what happened on the cruise, which was the only real proof I had.

I hung up the phone with pride and followed it up with a hug from my girlfriend and her family

whose house I went to after the ship docked. I want to say the words, and this is where I got help.

Only if I did, I'd be lying.

It took two more years, coincidentally almost to the day, to finally be believed.

And it wasn't until that moment my boyfriend, now husband,

revealed what the private investigator thought and what he said after their call.

I see this a lot with women. It's an attention thing. She'll somehow manage to get over it soon.

Be careful, though, because then it'll be something else.

I hit the roof when he told me what he said. He wasn't withholding this information from me,

by the way. He just didn't agree with it. He lived through this almost as long as I had at that point,

and he's not stupid. What it took to be heard and listened to was for the behavior to be seen,

and that required surveillance footage that I regret not getting from the cruise.

Two years, almost to the day later, on Friday, June 25, 2021, Jen got exactly what she was waiting for.

My husband and I are leaving one of our favorite spots in Koreatown, the Normandy Club.

We walked down 6th Street and around the corner in front of the Normandy Hotel to grab our Uber,

as it was safer than trying to grab one on the very busy 6th Street.

As my husband coordinated the car's location, I noticed a man standing outside of the hotel

with, yet again, the same off-body language. It's actually astounding. You can see in the

surveillance footage that it only took me six seconds to recognize the behavior,

and another eight to decide if I wanted to ignore or confront.

This 14 seconds of surveillance footage completely changed my life, and little did

I know our Uber driver, Sandra, saw the same thing. There was staring at you guys. Can you

say it one more time? Okay, there is a guy right there in front of the hotel staring at you guys.

Thank you. It was weird, right? Yes.

Jen got the surveillance footage that aligned with what she had been saying.

It played out like a scene from a film, except it was real. When she brought it to the police

alongside the Uber driver's voice, her own account, and the statements from both her mother

and Ashley, the narrative shifted. This wasn't just her. There were confirming witnesses and

surveillance footage, but even with proof, the answers didn't come easily. The system didn't

quite know what to do with it, so Jen kept going. She hired a private investigator, and within days,

something surfaced that would change everything, because the story wasn't just about being followed.

It was about how she was able to actually figure it out. It was happening in the first place.

In the next episode, the investigation cracks open, and Jen comes face to face with a series

of diagnoses that will change the course of her life, and possibly yours too.