Scamfluencers
Wondery
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.Need more Scamfluencers? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.
Episodes
Mentioned books
9 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 50min
Doris Payne: Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Grift | 170
Doris Payne's life as a jewel thief is nothing short of fascinating. Starting her crime spree in her teens, she swiped an estimated $2 million worth of jewels over seven decades across nine countries. Her story dives into the societal challenges of race and gender that led her to crime, revealing a complex character behind her charming persona. Amid thrilling heists and narrow escapes, the humanity of her emotional struggles and personal loss becomes apparent, making her a captivating antihero in the world of theft.
58 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 50min
Guo Wengui: The Temu Trump | 169
Discover the tumultuous journey of Guo Wengui, a former billionaire who flees China only to thrive in the U.S. under a cloak of activism. Explore his dual life—portrayed as a whistleblower while manipulating investors through dubious ventures. Delve into his lavish lifestyle and the shocking betrayal of a devoted follower who breaks free from his grip. Legal troubles mount as his empire unravels, revealing a darker side to his charismatic facade. This captivating tale of ambition, deception, and the quest for truth will leave you questioning everything.
18 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 50min
Pras Michel: The Fugee Felon | 168
Pras Michel, co-founder of the Fugees, finds himself tangled in a web of crime after meeting Malaysian billionaire Jho Low. What starts as a quest for political connections spirals into a global scandal involving far-right figures and hostage negotiations. The lavish lifestyle and extravagant requests lead Pras down a dark path as he grapples with ethical dilemmas and legal challenges. The narrative dives deep into the complexities of fame, ambition, and the perilous world of international intrigue.
17 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 50min
Lisette Lee: The Simple Life Of Crime | 167
Dive into the wild world of Lisette Lee, a glamorous heiress who manipulates her friends into becoming her drug mules. Experience the allure of her opulent lifestyle, complete with secrets and deceit that bubble under the surface. Explore her complex relationships, rocky legal battles, and the tension between her flashy persona and chaotic personal life. Along the way, there are humorous critiques of the risky mindset behind scams and the unpredictable nature of ambition. This tale of crime, glamour, and betrayal is anything but ordinary!
6 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 43min
Phil Kitzer and the G Men | 166
Discover the exhilarating undercover operation targeting Phil Kitzer, a master con artist whose fraudulent schemes led to a lavish lifestyle. As two young FBI agents infiltrate his world, they face thrilling challenges and moral dilemmas while gathering evidence. Experience the rise of Kitzer from a bail bondsman's son to a notorious scammer, and witness the unexpected transformations of former scammers turned informants. This tale intertwines deception, friendship, and the high stakes of justice in the criminal underworld.
10 snips
Jun 30, 2025 • 48min
Earl Washington: A Rip Off the Old Block | 165
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!
7 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 48min
Prince Michael Romanoff: The High Prince of Hollywood | 164
Delve into the fascinating life of Hershel Geguzin, who reinvented himself as Prince Michael Romanoff, the charming conman of Hollywood. Explore his journey from humble orphan to hosting legends like Bogart and Sinatra. As Michael navigates a web of lies and lavish parties, discover the tension between maintaining his facade and confronting his tumultuous past. The rise and fall of his restaurant, Romanoff's, reveals the intersection of celebrity culture and deceit in a dazzling yet precarious world.
Jun 16, 2025 • 54min
Rocky Aoki: Hibachi’s a Bitch and Then You Die | 163
Dive into the life of Rocky Aoki, the visionary behind the Benihana restaurant chain. Discover how his childhood in post-war Tokyo shaped his ambition and creativity. Ride along through the turbulent rise of hibachi dining, marked by both success and scandal. Explore Aoki's personal struggles, including infidelity and insider trading, which threaten to unravel his empire. The family feuds over his legacy add another layer of intrigue as his widow and children battle for control of the Benihana empire.
Jun 9, 2025 • 50min
Multi-Level Marketing: Your Product is You | 162
Bridget Read, a journalist and author of 'Little Bosses Everywhere,' joins to discuss her extensive research on pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing (MLM). She reveals the psychological allure and deceptive practices that attract individuals, particularly vulnerable demographics like women of color. The podcast examines the historical evolution of MLMs, their ties to conservative politics, and the emotional toll they take on participants. Read shares insights into the illusory nature of self-worth in MLMs, making this conversation a compelling critique of modern entrepreneurship.
11 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 44min
ENCORE: Do You Even Grift, Bro? | 161
Explore the outrageous journey of the Liver King, born Brian Johnson, who transformed from a bullied kid into a beefy influencer promoting a radical raw meat diet. Uncover the scandals that unraveled his carefully crafted image, including allegations of steroid use and the backlash from his followers. Delve into the complexities of masculinity and modern diet trends, examining how insecurities fuel extreme diet obsessions. Insights from a revealing Netflix documentary also highlight the moral dilemmas of authenticity in the influencer world.
