Kat Torres has the insta-perfect life. She is rich, gorgeous and not ashamed to share it. Her posts about witchcraft and “alien baths” drew in over a million followers, all chasing the dream of a lifestyle like hers. But as she gathers more followers around her, the secrets beneath her fame grow darker and more dangerous.   One woman sets out to bring back her best friend who has fallen under the spell of this modern-day guru.   And what begins as a search for a missing friend soon puts her on a collision course with Kat. Based on the hit Brazilian podcast, journalist Chico Felitti uncovers a gripping story of influence, control, and those who dare to fight back.Listen to Don’t Cross Kat: Wondery.fm/DontCrossKat See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Thelma and Louise was being made in the early 1990s, production was in and out of financial trouble. Behind this shortage of cash was an Italian businessman and epic scammer named Giancarlo Parretti, who managed to buy multiple movie studios on two continents through falsified loans from a corrupt bank. Still at large in Italy, Giancarlo seems to be a scammer with nine lives.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Billy Mitchell's reign as the 'King of Kong' faces scrutiny as suspicions of cheating arise. The rivalry between him and up-and-coming gamers adds fuel to the fire, revealing the dark side of competitive gaming. A humorous animated parody escalates into a legal battle, showcasing the absurdity of public personas in gaming culture. As accusations swirl, the emotional fallout and the struggle for legitimacy reshape the landscape of arcade competitions. The push for a more enjoyable gaming community highlights the importance of shared experiences over cutthroat competition.

When Luigi Mangione allegedly gunned down UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, the media called it a senseless crime. But online, a different story emerged—one of rage, reckoning, and a suspected killer turned folk hero. More than just a true crime podcast, LUIGI, hosted by Jesse Weber, dares to look beyond the crime and the accused to explore a cultural tipping point in America, asking you to decide - is the status quo enough, or is it time for a cultural reckoning?Listen to Law&Crime’s LUIGI exclusively on Wondery+ and follow the show page to keep up on all the latest developments. You can join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Visit www.wondery.com/links/luigi and start your free trial now!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ll be back next week with all-new episodes but in the meantime we’re bringing back a very timely episode. In 2024, President Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people in one day… including one of our very own Scamfluencers. Rita Crundwell had horse girl dreams, and she used her job as comptroller of a small Illinois town to pull off a colossal fraud. She poured millions into showing quarter horses and lived extravagantly… until one nosy co-worker unraveled the entire scheme. Rita bankrupted an entire town in what became the biggest case of municipal embezzlement in U.S. history. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two Canadian sisters, Kiran and Jyoti Matharoo, become embroiled in a bizarre scandal involving a fake apology video linked to their controversial gossip blog in Nigeria. As they navigate the world of fame, they reveal the darker side of influence and the high stakes of social media. Their whirlwind lifestyle is filled with luxury, but public scrutiny takes a toll. Amidst rumors and a tense encounter with Nigerian police, the sisters learn about identity and authority, uncovering the complexities of their glamorous yet precarious existence.

Priscila Barbosa's journey from Brazil to Boston takes a wild turn as she tries to pay off debts by driving for rideshare services. Frustrated with her earnings, she joins forces with other undocumented immigrants to create an illicit rideshare ring. The narrative explores her glamorous online persona, which masks the moral complexities of her actions. As Priscila balances survival and exploitation, her risky maneuvers ultimately lead to her capture, revealing the intricate dance between ambition and ethics in a world filled with scams.

Explore the rise and fall of Brian Wansink, the 'food psychologist' whose questionable research practices sparked major controversy. Dive into the flaws of misleading studies like those comparing calorie counts in well-known cookbooks. Hear about the impact of sensationalism in culinary science and the ethical dilemmas surrounding academic integrity. Discover the tension between public recognition and health concerns in nutrition, while advocating for a more mindful approach to food amidst prevalent misinformation.

In a wild tale from the early 80s, a forger conjures fake diaries of Adolf Hitler, feeding the media's insatiable hunger for sensationalism. The absurdity peaks as journalists chase a story too implausible to be true, driven by the allure of Nazi memorabilia and deceitful nostalgia. As the hoax unravels, ethical dilemmas surrounding authenticity and credibility take center stage. Chaos ensues, revealing a labyrinth of deception intertwined with a bizarre obsession for historical artifacts and the dark side of journalism.