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
Mar 17, 2025 • 45min
ENCORE: The Quarter Horse Queen | 150
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.
Mar 10, 2025 • 37min
ENCORE: Gossip Girls | Part II | 149
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.
10 snips
Mar 3, 2025 • 37min
ENCORE: Gossip Girls | Part 1 | 148
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.
8 snips
Feb 24, 2025 • 53min
Priscila Barbosa: The Rideshare Robinhood | 147
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.
42 snips
Feb 17, 2025 • 46min
Brian Wansink: Guess Who’s Conning to Dinner | 146
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.
22 snips
Feb 10, 2025 • 55min
The Hitler Hoax | 145
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.
13 snips
Feb 3, 2025 • 52min
Eike Batista: Brazillionaire Boys Club | 144
Explore the rise and fall of Brazilian billionaire Eike Batista, a larger-than-life figure whose extravagant lifestyle was marred by corruption and scandal. As his ambitious oil ventures faced fierce scrutiny, the intertwining tales of personal turmoil and legal battles unfold. Discover the intricate web of deceit involving bribery and high-profile political alliances that rocked Brazil. The chaos following arrests reveals the absurdities of wealth and power, leaving a lasting impact on society amidst a backdrop of ambitious dreams gone awry.
9 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 44min
Take the Monopoly Money and Run | 143
Uncover the surprising origin of Monopoly amid the Great Depression, spotlighting Charles Darrow's rise and the overshadowed contributions of original creator Lizzie Maggie. Explore an individual’s bold legal fight against corporate giants, marked by a quirky pre-deposition sandwich. Delve into the cultural impact of the game, the struggles for recognition, and Ralph's creation of Anti-Monopoly, advocating for fairness. The podcast weaves personal stories with a critique of capitalism through the lens of this iconic board game.
15 snips
Jan 20, 2025 • 54min
Frédéric Bourdin: No Country For Old Men | 142
A woman believes she's reunited with her long-lost son, only to discover he's a notorious French imposter. As Frédéric Bourdin weaves a web of deception, the mystery of the real Nicholas Barclay deepens. The psychological implications of his identity manipulation come to light, leaving family and investigators reeling. Emotional reunions become fraught with tension as the truth unfolds. Amidst false identities and painful discoveries, the story questions the nature of belonging and the lengths to which one will go for safety.
13 snips
Jan 13, 2025 • 50min
Apollo Nida: It’s Too Late to Apollo-gize | 141
Apollo Nida's tumultuous journey from reality TV star to notorious scammer unfolds with shocking revelations. Explore his complex relationship with Phaedra Parks, marked by romance and legal turmoil. The podcast dives into the dark world of identity theft and fraud, highlighting the pressures of fame that led to Apollo's downfall. Tensions rise as personal struggles intersect with public personas, creating a gripping narrative of betrayal and consequences that even reality TV can't fully capture.
