Scamfluencers Earl Washington: A Rip Off the Old Block | 165
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Jun 30, 2025 Earl Washington is a multi-talented artist whose woodblock carvings take a deceptive turn. Struggling to make a name in the entertainment world, he invents a fictional grandfather to sell his works as antiques. The story unfolds as a dedicated collector, Doug, uncovers Earl's fraud, sparking a thrilling investigation with the FBI. Balancing ambition and integrity, the podcast humorously explores the complexities of art forgery and the emotional fallout from betrayal. It's a wild ride through the absurdity of deception in the art world!
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Collector Duped by Fake Artifacts
- Doug Arbiter is a passionate collector who spent over $100,000 on woodblock carvings he thought historical. - He placed these artifacts in a custom-built museum, only to later discover they were fakes by Earl Washington.
Earl's Art and Tall Tales
- Earl Washington pursued entertainment but turned to woodblock carving to make ends meet. - He incorporates elaborate origin stories to boost his artwork's value and sells fakes under his own and pseudonymous identities.
Obscurity Fuels the Scam
- Woodblock carving is ancient and uncommon, adding mystique to Earl's art. - The rarity and obscurity help enable Earl's deception and collectors’ acceptance.