Scamfluencers Rick & Rosario Ames: The Spy Who Told Too Much | 188
Nov 17, 2025
Rick Ames, a mediocre CIA agent with a drinking problem, turned into a double agent, selling secrets to the KGB for nearly a decade. Joined by his wife, Rosario, they enjoyed a life of luxury while imperiling countless lives. Their betrayal had deadly consequences for many Soviet double agents. As suspicions grew, internal investigations linked their opulent lifestyle to espionage. Ultimately, both were caught, with Rick receiving a life sentence, leaving behind a legacy of greed and treachery in the intelligence community.
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Bumbling Double Agent Exposed
- Rick Ames sold CIA secrets to the KGB for cash and a lavish lifestyle with Rosario.
- His leaks sabotaged operations and led to deaths before his 1994 arrest.
Failed Up: How Oversight Broke Down
- Despite poor reviews and security breaches, Ames repeatedly advanced inside the CIA.
- Weak oversight and internal culture let an underperforming agent gain dangerously broad access.
Romance At A Diplomatic Party
- Rosario, a Colombian cultural attache and CIA informant, began a romance with Rick in Mexico City.
- She left her job to follow him to the U.S., later becoming his wife and collaborator.
