Scamfluencers

Imelda Marcos - the former beauty queen turned First Lady of the Philippines – was as famous for her 1,000 pairs of shoes and jawbreaker-sized diamonds as she was infamous for the fortune that she and her husband, President Ferdinand Marcos, stole from their country. While Imelda jet-setted around the globe on the public dime, ordinary Filipinos struggled under a collapsing economy. When Ferdinand’s popularity starts to plummet, he pulls his most ruthless move yet – declaring martial law to keep himself in power.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wayne LaPierre spent decades at the helm of the National Rifle Association, transforming it into one of the most powerful lobbying groups in America. But behind his carefully crafted image as a gun-toting cowboy was a man who barely knew how to fire a weapon. LaPierre’s true loyalty was never to guns—or even to the NRA—but to himself. He raised millions from devoted members, then siphoned off the organization’s funds to bankroll his own life of luxury.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Caspersen seemed to have it all: Ivy League credentials, athletic talent and a trust fund that fueled his reputation as a rising star in finance. But behind his polished image was a spiral of drinking, gambling, and reckless bets on the stock market. Soon, his risky trades won’t just drain his own fortune – they’ll cost his friends and family millions.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.

Brian Reader made his name as “The Guv’nor” in the 1960s and 70s by pulling off daring, Ocean’s Eleven-style heists that turned him into a tabloid sensation. By the 2010s, his glory days were long gone – but when the lure of one final big score proved irresistible, Reader and a crew of aging criminals plotted one last job over Easter weekend in 2015. But the heist that was meant to cement their legend instead turned into a tabloid spectacle – and the downfall of a man who couldn’t leave his past behind.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.

When Jan Lewan escapes to the United States from Poland in the 1970s, he uses his musical talent to become a larger than life polka star and pursue the American dream. Fueled by his charm and charisma, he performs for presidents, gets nominated for a Grammy, and attracts a devoted following. But like any good showbiz story, there’s a dark underbelly to Jan’s world: he uses his fanbase to fuel a Ponzi scheme. But when his wife’s pageant competition gets mired in a mysterious scandal, Jan’s shady dealings come to light, and his career unravels in bitterness and tragedy. Until, that is, a legit Hollywood star steps in to give him an unlikely third act.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.

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a thrilling tale, Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter transforms from a Bavarian boy into a master conman, adopting the identity of Clark Rockefeller. He cleverly navigates high society with charisma and deceit, weaving a web of intricate lies that ensnare unsuspecting women. As his facade crumbles, dark secrets emerge, revealing the disturbing lengths he went to belong in America. The narrative entwines themes of love, identity, and manipulation against a backdrop of family turmoil and wedding intricacies, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats.

George Santos' wild fabrications captivated the nation, raising questions about his life story and political ambitions. From flamboyant drag performances to scandalous campaign financing, his journey is a rollercoaster of deceit. Legal troubles culminated in his expulsion from Congress and guilty pleas for wire fraud and identity theft. The podcast unveils the bizarre anecdotes and morally questionable actions that characterized Santos' chase for fame, highlighting the unsettling intersection of truth and falsehood in modern politics.

Amidst Erika Jayne’s rising stardom, her husband Tom Girardi's legal troubles deepen, raising concerns over finances and ethics. A chaotic baby shower mixes glitz with rivalry as lawyers clash over high-stakes cases. Lavish lifestyles are juxtaposed with the dire consequences faced by clients left in limbo. Scandals involving extramarital affairs and misappropriated funds complicate their lives. As legal battles intensify, the fallout threatens their reputations, marriages, and freedom in a world where fame and deceit intertwine.

Dive into the enticing world of Tom Girardi, a once-revered attorney whose glamorous life with pop star Erika Jayne masks a realm of legal turmoil. As the narrative unfolds, explore the contrasts between fame and the dark secrets that surface, revealing a dramatic backdrop where a celebrated lawyer's questionable ethics collide with a reality star's quest for identity. The podcast melds legal high-stakes drama with personal journeys, challenging notions of justice within a glittering facade that’s far from the ideal.