Scamfluencers
You never really know someone…especially online. In today’s world, the power of influence can be the quickest path to money and fame, and it often ends in ruin. These are the stories of the world’s most insidious Scamfluencers. And we are their prey. On Wondery’s new weekly series, join co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi as they unpack epic stories of deception from the worlds of social media, fashion, finance, health, and wellness. These influencers claim to be everything from charismatic healers to trusted financial insiders to experts in dating. They cast spells over millions. Why do we believe them, and how does our culture allow them to thrive? From Black Swan Murder to a fake social media influencer to an audacious Hollywood Ponzi schemer, each season will take the listener along the twists and turns, the impact on victims, and what’s left when the facade falls away.
New episodes come out every Monday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. Listen ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
Episodes
The Catholic Conman | 7
In the early 2000s, Raffaello Follieri makes a name for himself among the New York City elite. Fashioning himself as a savvy Italian businessman – it doesn’t hurt that he’s dating movie star Anne Hathaway – he hobnobs with billionaires and brags about his connections to the Catholic Church. Pretty soon, he lands a multi-million-dollar deal that funds his yacht trips, private jets, and personal chef. But when it turns out his supposed ties to the Vatican are flimsy, he’ll need more than a prayer to save himself.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
20/03/23·41m 16s
Wine Crime | 6
Rudy Kurniawan is what’s known as a super-taster: He’s able to identify any wine simply by tasting it. He uses this extraordinary talent to gain influence and rake in serious cash, hosting extravagant tastings and auctioning off collectible bottles. But when wine aficionados start to suspect Rudy’s been lying, they’ll blow the cork off one of the industry’s juiciest scandals.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
13/03/23·41m 54s
The Memory Maker | Part II | 5
Teal Swan’s self-help empire is on the rise, and so is the backlash to some of her most controversial techniques. Teal fights back against her critics, releasing long rebuttals and detailed explainers on YouTube. She even invites a film crew to document her life and hires a private investigator to prove she’s got nothing to hide. But when the findings come out, things will get even more complicated. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. The U.S. National Alliance on Mental Illness is available at 1-800-950-6264. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline in the US by calling 1-800-656-4673. That's 1-800-656-4673. Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
06/03/23·39m 8s
The Memory Maker | Part I | 4
After surviving a difficult childhood, Teal Swan starts a family and reinvents herself as a spiritual leader for the Internet age. She gains a huge following by talking openly about a wide-range of topics, including taboo mental health issues. In her videos, she’s warm, candid, and relatable. But her unconventional approach may have some dark consequences. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. The U.S. National Alliance on Mental Illness is available at 1-800-950-6264. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline in the US by calling 1-800-656-4673. That's 1-800-656-4673.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
27/02/23·40m 16s
The Great Escape | 3
Carlos Ghosn gets an early start in the auto industry and works his way up the corporate ladder at companies like Michelin and Renault. By the time he’s in charge of Nissan in the early 2000s, he’s become a celebrity CEO. Businessmen copy his style and fans swoon when he enters a room. But behind the scenes, Carlos is playing dirty. And when he gets caught, he’ll decide to do the unthinkable.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
20/02/23·43m 2s
Three Weddings and a Funeral | Part II | 2
By the late 1980s, Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter is now known as New York City bond trader Christopher Crowe. But even the Wall Street lifestyle is not quite glamorous enough for him. So he decides to transform once again, this time into a billionaire heir: a Rockefeller. With his new last name, he meets the woman of his dreams and settles into the leisurely life he’s always wanted. But when his past catches up with him — skeletons and all — it’ll all go up in flames.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
13/02/23·42m 35s
Wondery Presents: Stolen Hearts
Sergeant Jill Evans is a small town cop in Wales with an impressive record in her job, and a less than impressive record in her love life. After three engagements, two divorces and one affair, she’s beginning to worry that love is only true in fairy tales. That is until she meets: Dean. He’s a wealthy beauty entrepreneur with his own range of toiletries.Girl meets boy. Boy meets girl. They kiss and fall in love. Roll credits.But that would be boring, wouldn’t it? Instead, this is a love story like no other. It’s all going so well for Jill and Dean, until Halloween night, when Dean disappears. And Sgt. Jill is left to pick up the pieces.From Wondery and Novel, comes a new series. Hosted by Kerry Godliman.Follow Stolen Hearts on Amazon Music of wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery App. Listen to Stolen Hearts: Wondery.fm/SH_ScamSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
07/02/23·5m 13s
Three Weddings and a Funeral | Part I | 1
In the late 1970s, Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter leaves his small Bavarian village in pursuit of the American dream. He enrolls in high school in Connecticut and tries to impress his classmates with fake accents, fancy suits, and grandiose stories. Over the years, he spins even bigger lies and creates fake names and new identities all over the country, winning over unsuspecting women along the way. By the time his victims figure out he’s been hiding a gruesome secret, it’ll be too late.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
06/02/23·37m 40s
ENCORE: The Hollywood Ponzi Scheme | To Live and Lie in LA | Part III | 11
Zach's fake business deals and lies are starting to catch up with him. The money has stopped flowing, and entertainment bigwigs are hounding him for answers. But like everyone else in Hollywood, Zach thinks he's just one box-office smash away from solving all his problems.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
30/01/23·39m 48s
Wondery Presents: Frozen Head
Hosted by Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart from the hit show Morbid.When 90-year-old Laurence Pilgeram drops dead on the sidewalk outside his condo, you might think that’s the end of his story. But, really, it’s just the beginning. Because Laurence and others like him have signed up to be frozen and brought back to life in the future. And that belief will pull multiple generations of the Pilgeram family into a cryonics soap opera filled with dead pets, gold coins, grenades, fist fights, mysterious packages, family feuds, Hall of Fame baseball legends, and frozen heads — lots of frozen heads. From Wondery, comes a story about life, death, and what comes next.Follow Frozen Head on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. Binge early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery App. Listen to Frozen Head: Wondery.fm/FH_ScamfluenceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
24/01/23·3m 45s
ENCORE: The Hollywood Ponzi Scheme | Once Upon a Crime in Hollywood | Part II | 10
Zach Horwitz is finally living out his movie star dream. He even has a new stage name. The call sheet has him listed as Zach Avery. But behind the scenes, he's starting to break character as a businessman. His Ponzi scheme disguised as a production company is beginning to fumble. If Zach plans to continue fooling his investors, he'll need to keep the cash flowing.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
23/01/23·38m 58s
ENCORE: The Hollywood Ponzi Scheme | The Talented Mr. Avery | 9
To kick off the new year, we’re revisiting one of our most ambitious scammers to date: Zach Horwitz, the juice bar owner turned high-rolling Hollywood mogul… or so it seemed. The first episode in this three-part series, which originally aired in April of 2022, follows Zach’s savage journey into the heart of Hollywood — and the wallets of some of its biggest players.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
16/01/23·40m 54s
The Bitcoin Bamboozle | 8
When a major cryptocurrency exchange gets hacked in the summer of 2016, billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin go missing. The stolen crypto sits unspent for months, and the hack seems all but impossible to trace… until two surprisingly savvy federal agents begin investigating on the black market. As they follow the money, it leads them to two of the wackiest, and tackiest, international cyber-criminals the world has ever known.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
09/01/23·42m 44s
Fine Art Fugitive | 7
When Inigo Philbrick opens his own art gallery in London, he’s immediately seen as someone to watch. He’s well connected and has a knack for “flipping” art, or buying influential pieces only to turn around and sell them for a handsome profit. Before long, he’s selling shares of paintings and raking in money from investors all over the globe, all while becoming known for his jet-setting and expensive taste. But when he makes too many promises he can’t keep, this notorious art dealer will lose it all.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
02/01/23·42m 19s
The Shady Bunch | Part II | 6
The Chrisleys are riding high on their hit reality show and several spin offs, but the cracks are starting to show in their all-American family. Tax fraud allegations have the Feds circling, and some of the Chrisley kids are starting to spill the tea about what’s really happening behind the scenes. When the gossip starts flying, things get ugly real quick. But it’s all a big distraction from the bombshell drama playing out in a federal courtroom. Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
26/12/22·41m 21s
The Shady Bunch | Part I | 5
Todd and Julie Chrisley paint the picture of a lavish Southern lifestyle on their over-the-top reality TV show Chrisley Knows Best. They show off their massive home in suburban Atlanta, their kids drive luxury cars, and Todd makes frequent trips to Beverly Hills for haircuts. But behind the scenes, everything isn’t all glitz and glamour. The real story involves an extramarital affair, blackmail, and fake financial records that threaten to completely upend their reality TV empire.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
19/12/22·37m 46s
There’s Something About Martin | Part II | 4
After breaking a big story about Martin Shkreli for Bloomberg, journalist Christie Smith wants to dig deeper into the man who’s become the face of corporate greed. She begins following him everywhere, and she decides he’s not the villain the press has made him out to be. As Martin continues to come under fire for his unhinged antics, Christie’s admiration for him only seems to grow. When their relationship finally comes to light, the damage will already have been done. Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
12/12/22·40m 40s
There’s Something About Martin | Part I | 3
With his uncanny gift for shorting stocks and predicting the market, Martin Shkreli becomes a finance wunderkind almost right out of college. He experiments with hedge funds and eventually starts his own Pharma company, raising millions of dollars from high-profile investors. But when his Twitter antics and social media trolling begin to raise red flags, Martin’s reputation tanks. And after he price-gouges a life-saving drug, he goes from finance bro to the most hated man in America. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
05/12/22·40m 0s
The Fitness Faker | 2
After years of struggling with an eating disorder and poor self esteem, Brittany Dawn decides to reinvent herself: as a body-positive influencer. She launches her own online business as a personal trainer and fitness coach, and she sells “personalized” plans to help others who are struggling with the same issues she did. But when her clients discover their plans are not at all what was advertised, they decide to team up – and uncover the truth about Brittany’s business. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, here are some additional resources: National Eating Disorder Association: 1-800-931-2237National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders: 888-375-7767Please support us by supporting our sponsors!Factor- Go togo.factor75.com/scampod60and use code Scampod60 to get 60% off your first box.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
28/11/22·42m 11s
Intercontinental Con Man | 1
When a Colombian teenager survives an hours-long trip inside the wheel well of a plane, he becomes an instant celebrity. A local family in Miami decides to adopt him, in the hopes of giving him a better life in America. But they quickly realize he’s not who he says he is, and he’s not even a teenager at all. In fact, this is just the start of his journey into becoming one of the world’s most charming, cunning, and completely untraceable identity thieves. His speciality? Sophisticated hotel heists all over the globe.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
21/11/22·43m 37s
Reality Show Scammer: Live From Obsessed Fest | 9
In the early 2000s, hopeful reality show contestants in the U.K. sign up for what they think will be the opportunity of a lifetime. In exchange for a year of living their lives on camera, they’re offered a chance to win £100,000, plus a shot at fame and stardom. But when the contestants start asking questions and putting the pieces together… they realize the show they’ve agreed to is a complete sham. Scaachi and Sarah tell the twisted tale in front of a live audience at Obsessed Fest in Columbus, Ohio. Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
31/10/22·37m 1s
Prep School Perpetrator | 8
After being humiliated and exploited at her elite New York City prep school, Danielle Miller sets out to reinvent herself. She ends up befriending a group of young socialites in Los Angeles, and before long, she’s flying on private jets, picking up pricey dinner tabs, and running her own P.R. firm. But when Danielle is arrested crossing into the U.S. border from Mexico, the source of her money becomes more clear — and her life slowly begins to unravel. Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
24/10/22·36m 18s
Superstar Sports Scammer | Part II | 7
As Alex Guerrero comes under scrutiny for fraud allegations and FTC fines, Tom Brady doubles down on his good friend and business partner. Together, they open a sports center, publish a book, and promote their own brand of supplements. But as their popularity grows, some of their most troubling beliefs will come to light. Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
17/10/22·43m 45s
Superstar Sports Scammer | Part I | 6
When superstar NFL quarterback Tom Brady gets badly injured on the field, he turns to his secret weapon, an unlicensed “body coach” named Alex Guerrero. Together, the duo become unstoppable, creating their own company together and even peddling their own products and philosophies. But their questionable partnership will prove more than controversial… maybe even dangerous. Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10/10/22·40m 52s
Serial Killer Grifter | Part II | 5
By the 2000s, Stéphane Bourgoin isn’t just writing books and making documentaries about serial killers – he’s also influencing cops, prosecutors, and judges. He’s gained a group of devoted fans who watch all of his interviews and study his work. But when his fans begin to notice discrepancies in his stories, they band together to investigate a new subject: Stéphane himself. What they uncover will be even more disturbing than some of Stéphane’s own true crime tales. Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
03/10/22·38m 43s
Serial Killer Grifter | Part I | 4
In the late 1970s, a French horror fan named Stéphane Bourgoin becomes obsessed with serial killers. He manages a used bookstore specializing in crime fiction and begins writing articles on the topic, fashioning himself into an expert on all things morbid. And his career really takes off when he scores the opportunity of his dreams: to interview actual serial killers in prison. But the more influential he becomes, the closer he’ll get to being found out: as the ultimate fanboy and a total fraud.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
26/09/22·36m 34s
Gossip Girls | Part II | 3
The Matharoo sisters have gone from globe-trotting tastemakers to detained prisoners. Stuck in an airport hotel without their passports or phones, they decide to take matters into their own hands – and hatch a bold escape plan. Before long, their story goes from local gossip fodder to an international scandal.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
19/09/22·36m 39s
Gossip Girls | Part I | 2
In 2016, a mysterious apology video surfaces online. In it, two jet-setting sisters from Canada, Kiran and Jyoti Matharoo, claim they’re the masterminds behind a vicious gossip site that’s been stirring up scandal and controversy in Nigeria. The only problem? The video is a fabrication — and the truth is even stranger.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
12/09/22·35m 54s
The Book Bandit | 1
When a seemingly sophisticated phishing scam preys upon some of the biggest authors, publishers, and agents in the world, it throws the book industry into chaos – and turns everyone involved into an amateur detective. Rumors about the scammer’s identity – and motives – abound. And as the scammer gets bolder, his targets become determined to crack the mystery wide open.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
05/09/22·43m 34s
Golden Age of Scammers: An Interview with Evan Ratliff | 9
Ever wonder why it feels like we’re in the golden age of scammers? In this special episode of Scamfluencers, hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi sit down with fellow journalist Evan Ratliff, the host of Persona: The French Deception, to discuss our culture’s rabid obsession with conning. They dig deep into Ratliff’s investigation into Gilbert Chikli, the prolific con artist whose bold telephone scams netted more than $50 million, and discuss how influence can make — and break — a scammer. Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
15/08/22·38m 25s
Desperate Housewife | 8
On Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Jen Shah drives a Porsche, throws lavish parties, and brags about her $50,000-a-month shopping sprees. But when she gets arrested on camera and charged with serious federal crimes, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, it becomes clear she’s been leading a double life. Now, this drama queen is getting her own reality check. Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
08/08/22·42m 37s
The Billionaire Gucci Master: Part II | 7
Hushpuppi is expanding his business with some new partnerships, including with the North Korean cyber criminals who hacked into Sony. He’s becoming one of the most elite Internet scammers in the world, and he’s well on his way to pulling off a massive, multi-million dollar money laundering scheme… If only he could stop posting about it on the gram.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
01/08/22·38m 45s
The Billionaire Gucci Master | Part One | 6
On Instagram, Hushpuppi flaunts an extravagant international lifestyle. He wears head-to-toe Fendi and poses next to Bentleys and private jets. His millions of followers know him as the former “Yahoo boy” — a Nigerian email scammer — who transcended poverty and now calls himself the Billionaire Gucci Master. But his haters, including more than a few rappers, all want to know: Where is his money coming from? Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
25/07/22·41m 38s
The Yoga Hustler | Gurus Gone Wild | Part Two | 5
As Guru Jagat starts spewing dangerous conspiracy theories, her followers become determined to expose her for what she really is: A fraud. Their revelations, coupled with explosive new allegations from other members of the kundalini yoga community, force everyone to choose a side: Guru Jagat or… reality.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
18/07/22·36m 55s
The Yoga Hustler | The Notorious G.U.R.U | Part One | 4
Ever since childhood, Katie Griggs has been searching for her purpose in life. When she discovers kundalini yoga, she becomes convinced she’s finally found it. She follows her vision and decides to start her own yoga studio in Los Angeles. RA MA Institute attracts celebrities, garners glowing press, and expands into a global yoga empire. But behind the scenes, the woman who now calls herself Guru Jagat isn’t nearly as enlightened — or as trustworthy — as she seems.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11/07/22·39m 6s
Coachella Con Artist | Festival Of Lies | 3
Chinese real estate executive Serena Shi appears to be living the American dream. She’s wealthy, glamorous, and runs a business showing other Chinese investors how they, too, can cash in on California real estate. When she announces her latest project — a luxury resort she plans to build in Coachella Valley — she quickly nets millions of dollars. There’s just one problem: Her dazzling desert property is nothing more than a mirage.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
04/07/22·37m 59s
Fake Saudi Prince | We’ll Never Be Royals | Part Two | 2
Anthony Gignac, masquerading as a Saudi prince, is finally living the life of luxury he’s always dreamed of. But of course, it’s not enough. He’s planning his biggest scam yet. He’s going to buy one of Miami’s most iconic hotels. That is, until a billionaire real estate magnate starts digging around… and discovers a trail of lies.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
27/06/22·35m 57s
Fake Saudi Prince | Catch Me If You Scam | Part One | 1
Prince Khalid bin al-Saud is an international playboy from an ultra-wealthy Saudi family. He's posted hundreds of photos on Instagram showing off his lavish lifestyle, complete with private jets, designer bags, and a diamond-encrusted jaguar-shaped bracelet. But there's one problem -- he's a fake. His real name is Tony Gignac and he's from Detroit, Michigan. And he's about to pull off a series of daring cons from Dubai to Miami.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
20/06/22·41m 2s
Brazil's Supermom | Bad At Dying | Part Two | 8
Suspicion builds around Flordelis and her mega-sized family as the investigation unfolds and the horrifying truth comes to light. When a suspect is arrested and Flordelis’ children begin to turn on her, it becomes clear that her saintly facade may have been the greatest con of all.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
23/05/22·37m 11s
Brazil's Supermom | Mommy Dearest | Part One | 7
Beloved gospel singer and congresswoman, Flordelis dos Santos de Souza was revered in Brazil as the “Mother of the Nation” for adopting 55 children. But when her husband is killed during an armed robbery -- everyone in the family becomes a potential suspect. The investigation unravels a deception so twisted it shocks the nation. Is Floredlis a superstar or super-criminal?Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
16/05/22·42m 15s
Dr. Teen Love, MD | Master of Deception | 6
Malachi Love-Robinson, a sickly teenager from South Florida, has dreams of becoming a doctor someday. The only problem? He doesn’t want to wait. With just a white lab coat and a stethoscope, Malachi transforms himself into “Doctor Love” and launches a medical career. Unfortunately, as with all good scammers, he gets too ambitious, raising the stakes higher and higher, until one day, the “Doctor” meets the wrong “patient.”Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
09/05/22·40m 56s
The Hollywood Ponzi Scheme | To Live and Lie in LA | Part Three | 5
Zach's fake business deals and lies are starting to catch up with him. The money has stopped flowing, and entertainment bigwigs are hounding him for answers. But like everyone else in Hollywood, Zach thinks he's just one box-office smash away from solving all his problems.Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
02/05/22·39m 56s
The Hollywood Ponzi Scheme | Once Upon a Crime in Hollywood | Part Two | 4
Zach Horwitz is finally living out his movie star dream. He even has a new stage name. The call sheet has him listed as Zach Avery. But behind the scenes, he's starting to break character as a businessman. His Ponzi scheme disguised as a production company is beginning to fumble. If Zach plans to continue fooling his investors, he'll need to keep the cash flowing.Support Our Sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
25/04/22·39m 9s
The Hollywood Ponzi Scheme | The Talented Mr. Avery | Part One | 3
Zach Horwitz owns a sandwich and smoothie shop in Chicago, but dreams of moving to Hollywood to make it as an actor. Luckily, Zach knows a thing or two about creating high-stakes fantasy worlds, just like in the movies. So he crafts an opportunity of a lifetime out of thin air that lands him and his girlfriend, Mallory, in Los Angeles. Mallory is his biggest supporter, and for a while, it seems like Zach is finding fast success… until he bites off more than he can chew. Over the next three episodes, Scaachi and Sarah will explore the meteoric rise of a Hollywood wannabe best-known for his headline-making arrest.Support Our Sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
18/04/22·39m 56s
Ballet's Lethal Start-Up | Pointe and Shoot | Part Two | 2
Dancers go unpaid as American National Ballet struggles to stay afloat. Behind the scenes, Ashley and Doug Benefield's marriage takes a turn for the worse. What starts as a dream will end in murder.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11/04/22·35m 5s
Ballet's Lethal Start-Up | Black Swan, Inc. | Part One | 1
What happens when a former ballerina and a shady businessman try to revolutionize the world of dance? Welcome to the Fyre Fest of the ballet world. In this two-episode series, power couple Doug and Ashley Benefield use their money and influence to launch what appears to be a groundbreaking ballet company. One that champions diversity and inclusivity. The only problem is, none of that is true. Because as dancers put their careers on the line for this new company, it all begins to spin out of control — just as Doug and Ashley’s marriage falls apart.Support Our Sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11/04/22·40m 33s
Introducing: Scamfluencers
You never really know someone…especially online. In today’s world, the power of influence can be the quickest path to money and fame, and it often ends in ruin. These are the stories of the world’s most insidious Scamfluencers. And we are their prey. On Wondery’s new weekly series, join co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi as they unpack epic stories of deception from the worlds of social media, fashion, finance, health, and wellness. These influencers claim to be everything from charismatic healers to trusted financial insiders to experts in dating. They cast spells over millions. Why do we believe them, and how does our culture allow them to thrive? From Black Swan Murder to a fake social media influencer to an audacious Hollywood Ponzi schemer, each season will take the listener along the twists and turns, the impact on victims, and what’s left when the facade falls away.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
04/04/22·2m 4s
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Heart UK