Never Saw Me Coming

How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System—and Pocketed $40 Million

By: Tanya Smith

Narrated by: Robin Miles

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.

©2024 Tanya Smith (P)2024 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

"A scintillating story of one determined woman. Unforgettable." —SONJA SOHN, Actress

“Unpredictable—thrilling and exciting true story that makes the heart race and the head shake. Love it!” —ZANE, NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling Author

Truthfully

Satisfying narration. Memoir wild ride and insightful. Insightful information on banking system and inner workings of justices system.Happy author shared story and broke free of shame!

The unvarnished truth

Sharing the unvarnished truth is not easy but the author has done an amazing job in telling this story

The thrill and suspense kept me engaged and on edge!!

I met Tanya Smith in a Ralph’s Deli a few days ago, and she suggested I read her book. I bought it on the spot from Audible. I have to say it was the best book I’ve ever read. There was never a dull moment, and the narrator was perfect for this reading, it felt as if I was actually there. Tanya Smith if you read this, thanks you for suggesting this read to me! Marcelino Martinez

This woman is a genius caught in the systemic racism in our country

I was reading the New York Times and I saw this book featured. I downloaded the audible and was hooked for the next 12 hours. This is an incredible story of a true genius who figured out how to hack the US banking system and was only inspired on this path as a child because of systemic racism. Tanya Smith is brilliant enough to have been a lawyer or any profession she set her mind to. Given how little she personally profited from the money she diverted, it seems she really did take it as a challenge when the FBI implied she couldn’t possibly be a white collar criminal as a black woman in the 80s. At each turn, Tanya knows what to expect based on our systemic racism. She is proven right time and time again her story is a seemingly honest account of what she did, what she endured and what she overcame.

Unbelievable Truth: A Captivating and Remarkable Real-Life Tale

From start to finish, “Never Saw Me Coming” was absolutely enthralling, keeping me captivated and fully engaged in the story. It is one of those tales that seems too extraordinary to be true, and I found it to be nothing short of excellent. Notably, the way the narrative unfolds is riveting, leaving an impression long after the final page. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a truly compelling read. The fact that it is a true story only adds to its incredible allure, making “Never Saw Me Coming” a truly extraordinary literary experience.

Great story

I enjoyed reading it! It has everything a great movie needs - I would watch it! It reminded me of “catch me if you can”

Hooked From Start to Finish.

I picked up Never Saw Me Coming on a whim for an 8-hour road trip, expecting just something to pass the time. But from the moment I started listening, I was completely hooked. The storytelling was so engaging and immersive that even after I reached my destination, I couldn’t stop listening. What captivated me most wasn’t just that the author—a young Black woman—achieved so much at an early age, but also the sheer depth of everything she endured along the way. It’s easy to look back in hindsight and pinpoint where things could have gone differently, but this book serves as a powerful reminder that she was not only brilliant but also human. A truly fascinating and inspiring listen.

NEVER give up!!!

This book had me on pins and needles! I found myself in disbelief, awe-struck and gasping aloud from the detail! The epilogue send me to tears feeling inspired from a woman that never gave up, never gave in and fought for her family and freedom! Thank you, Tanya for sharing your story! May God bless you, immensely.

How she out smart the fbi and the banking system .

I enjoy the book a lot very well written. And the way she never gave up on her self.

The sad ending of the destroyed relationships

Very easy to listen to. At times you just have to have a laugh. Smart women who made good in the end.