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
Jan 8, 2024 • 38min
Martha Stewart: The Homemaker Hustler Part 1 | 87
Martha Stewart, successful entrepreneur, builds a lifestyle empire and faces an insider trading scandal. Her upbringing, early career, and challenges as a woman in business are discussed. The podcast also covers illegal insider trading, media frenzy, and the fallout on her business empire.
Dec 18, 2023 • 39min
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker: The God Fraud | Part 1 | 83
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Christian broadcasting stars, rise to fame and build an empire which includes their own network and a theme park. However, their excessive spending and scandals lead them towards a judgment day. They face high stakes ahead of a live TV interview. Jim's search for a sign from God leads him to devote his life to the church. The rise of the Jim and Tammy Show sets them on a path to popularity. Their emotional performances on the PTL club captivate the audience. Despite being outsiders in the evangelical community, they pursue their ambitions to build a Christian theme park and university. Stay tuned for more on their trial, delays, and chaos in the next episode.
Nov 6, 2023 • 40min
Melissa Caddick: Trouble's Afoot | 77
High-powered financial planner Melissa Caddick mysteriously vanishes after friends and family discover her involvement in a massive Ponzi scheme. The podcast explores her fraudulent investment scheme, deception and manipulation, and the impact on her clients. It also discusses trust, conspiracy theories, and financial plans while requesting scam stories tips.
Aug 14, 2023 • 41min
The Pop Star and the Power Broker | Part 1 | 65
Tom Girardi, a lawyer known for taking on corporations, is revealed to be fraudulent. His extravagant lifestyle with pop star wife Erika Jayne comes under scrutiny. The podcast explores his rise to success, involvement in high-profile cases, and political influence. It also delves into Erika's transformation into a pop star and their extravagant lifestyle. Tom's fraudulent schemes and the threat to their empire are discussed.
Jul 31, 2023 • 39min
Holy Smokes | 63
David Bunevacz is the king of faking it ‘til you make it. After running a shady Olympics ticket brokering scheme, he moves on to his most lucrative venture yet: A weed vape company that seems to be minting money. David and his family move into a Calabasas mansion once owned by Kylie Jenner. But when David starts enlisting his friends as investors in the company, they can smell that something isn’t right. It won’t be long before it all goes up in smoke.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 10, 2023 • 42min
Dr. Oz: Supplement Spin Doctor | 60
In the mid-90s, Dr. Mehmet Oz is a rock star surgeon with a reputation for performing on high-profile clients. He eventually scores his own television show, and soon he becomes daytime television royalty. Oprah even dubs him “America’s doctor.” But his drive for stardom has him hawking questionable products, mostly related to weight loss. When his medical reputation is up in the air, he does what past-their-prime reality stars do best: he pivots to politics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Apr 24, 2023 • 39min
So Many Strings Attached | Part I | 49
In the early 1980s, Lou Pearlman is riding high… literally. He rakes in millions of dollars from his blimp company — thanks to an insurance scam — and his private jet company is taking off, too. But Lou really starts to make the big bucks when he discovers the next big craze: boy bands. He helps turn the Backstreet Boys and N*Sync into global superstars… and his own personal cash cows. But his shady dealings will soon have the boys saying “Bye Bye Bye.”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.app.link/tgjpc8ryfSb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 27, 2023 • 43min
Long Island Liars | 45
Jason Kurland starts out as a real estate lawyer on Long Island, but everything changes when he gets the opportunity to represent a major lottery winner. He quickly brands himself as the Lottery Lawyer and claims to help new millionaires and billionaires manage their wealth. But once these unsuspecting jackpot winners give Jason access to their bank accounts, their sudden good fortune begins to look like a curse.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Feb 27, 2023 • 40min
The Memory Maker | Part I | 41
After surviving a difficult childhood, Teal Swan starts a family and reinvents herself as a spiritual leader for the Internet age. She gains a huge following by talking openly about a wide-range of topics, including taboo mental health issues. In her videos, she’s warm, candid, and relatable. But her unconventional approach may have some dark consequences. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. The U.S. National Alliance on Mental Illness is available at 1-800-950-6264. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline in the US by calling 1-800-656-4673. That's 1-800-656-4673.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.app.link/tgjpc8ryfSb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11 snips
Feb 6, 2023 • 38min
Three Weddings and a Funeral | Part I | 38
In the late 1970s, Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter leaves his small Bavarian village in pursuit of the American dream. He enrolls in high school in Connecticut and tries to impress his classmates with fake accents, fancy suits, and grandiose stories. Over the years, he spins even bigger lies and creates fake names and new identities all over the country, winning over unsuspecting women along the way. By the time his victims figure out he’s been hiding a gruesome secret, it’ll be too late.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.app.link/tgjpc8ryfSb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
