Scamfluencers

4.4 (396)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED WEEKLY

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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.

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Season 2: Kat Torres has the insta-perfect life. She is rich, gorgeous and not ashamed to share it. Her posts about witchcraft and "alien baths" draw 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. Season 1: When we face challenges in life, we seek answers from people we believe can help us. When tragedy strikes an exclusive retreat with a self-help superstar, many people are left to wonder: how far is too far? James Arthur Ray was an Oprah-endorsed self-help teacher who achieved fame, fortune, and influence. But friends and family members of his followers questioned his unorthodox methods, and tried to stop him. From Wondery, the makers of "Dirty John," "Dr. Death," and "The Shrink Next Door," comes a story about the dark side of enlightenment. Hosted by journalist Matt Stroud. Listen to episodes of Guru: Don't Cross Kat early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/guru/ now.

4.2 (452)

TRUE CRIME
STAY TUNED FOR MORE CONTENT - Law&Crime will continue to provide you with all the latest updates while we wait for the Luigi Mangione trial dates to be announced. Follow the LUIGI show page and stay subscribed to be the first to access new episodes, bonus content, and more -- available exclusively for Wondery+ members. --- When Luigi Mangione was arrested for allegedly shooting UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, it sent shockwaves across the country, but the aftermath was even more unsettling. While mainstream media condemned the act as a brutal murder, a very different narrative was taking shape online—one that questioned the true villains in this story. Was the alleged shooter a violent extremist, or had he become an unwitting symbol of something much larger? Hosted by Law&Crime's Jesse Weber, LUIGI is more than just a true crime investigation—it's an exploration of a uniquely American moment. As this case continues to unfold in real-time, this series steps beyond the headline-grabbing "crime of the decade" angle to examine the cultural reckoning it has triggered. At its core, LUIGI captures a shifting America at a tipping point. From the public's growing disillusionment with corporate power to the radicalization of online discourse,—this is a story about what happens when the powerless begin to push back. LUIGI dissects the moral, political, and cultural divide at the heart of this case. Wherever this case goes, Law&Crime will provide you with all angles of the case; from those who have condemned the suspect and the crime, to others celebrating the act as revolutionary. With exclusive interviews and in-depth coverage, we challenge you to decide: Is the status quo enough, or is it time for a cultural reckoning? Listen to Law&Crime and Twist’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.

2.7 (6)

TRUE CRIME
RedHanded the podcast jumps head first into all manner of macabre madness. We cover everything from big time serial killers (and those you may never have heard of), to hauntings, possessions, disturbing mysteries, bizarre whodunits and basically anything that tickles our creepy fancy. So, join us, plug in, sit back and prepare for scares.

4.6 (1893)

TRUE CRIME
A Wondery original podcast so compelling it was reimagined for TV starring Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, Sissy Spacek, and more… When Molly's diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, she decides to do something bold: she leaves her unhappy marriage and embarks on a series of sexual adventures to help her feel alive. She shares the funniest and most touching details with her closest friend, host Nikki Boyer. As they peel back the layers, we learn that Molly isn’t just grappling with breast cancer: she's also dealing with some trauma from her past. Along the journey, the friends explore bigger themes that affect us all -- like healing, forgiveness and what do we do with the time we have left. Follow Dying for Sex on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all original episodes early and ad-free, right now on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by visiting wondery.com/links/dying-for-sex/ now.

4.8 (1312)

RELATIONSHIPS
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4.4 (2795)

TRUE CRIME
You know those messages that you get all the time, the ones that pop up out of nowhere? They could be real, but something about them seems fishy. You likely dismiss these texts and emails as mere annoyances, thinking you’ve stopped some random stranger from ripping you off. But the shocking truth is, the person behind that message might be trapped inside a “scam factory” on the other side of the world and forced to scam others against their will. From Wondery, comes a new series about the brutal reality behind these operations, where one family discovers a horrifying truth: the only way out is to scam their way out. Follow Scam Factory on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/scam-factory/ now.

4.8 (20)

TRUE CRIME
The Strange, Dark & Mysterious delivered in podcast format. Follow the MrBallen Podcast on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes publish twice a week—every Monday and Thursday. Prime members can listen to new episodes 1-month early and all episodes ad-free on Amazon Music. Wondery+ subscribers can listen ad-free in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

4.9 (1021)

TRUE CRIME
Hi, I’m Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people’s stories. We will celebrate, above all, the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment. What qualifies me for such an endeavor? More than a decade of sobriety, a degree in Anthropology and four years of improv training. I will attempt to discover human “truths” without any laboratory work, clinical trials or data collection. I will be, in the great tradition of 16th-century scientists, an Armchair Expert. Follow Armchair Expert on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Armchair Expert early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/ now.

4.6 (2272)

COMEDY
In a country obsessed with gossip, the great and the good fear one thing more than any other - scandal. British scandals change the course of history. They bring down governments, overthrow the rich and cause the mighty to fall. Some are about sex, others about money. In the end, they’re all about power. But often at the heart of a scandal, there are ordinary human stories. Stories of those caught up in the swirl of outrage. Who was really to blame for what happened? Why did they do it? And when all is said and done, did anything really change? From the creators of Business Wars, American Scandal and Ghost Story, comes British Scandal. Each week, hosts Alice Levine and Matt Forde delve into the murkier side of the British elite, from Phone Hacking to Profumo to the short-lived premiership of Liz Truss. Because sometimes the truth doesn’t set everyone free… Listen to British Scandal 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/british-scandal/ now.

4.6 (1069)

HISTORY
Well done. You’ve sorted through the embarrassment of riches that is the modern podcast landscape and found me, Rob Brydon, on my podcast. It’s terrific conversation, full of anecdotes and reminiscence where appropriate. Listen to Brydon & on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/brydon/ now.

4.5 (53)

COMEDY
Every day, hundreds of people go about their lives with no idea that someone has paid to have them killed. In the depths of the dark net, tech journalist Carl Miller makes a disturbing discovery: a secret “kill list” targeting hundreds of innocent people on a murder-for-hire website. When the police are slow to investigate, Carl is thrown into a race against time to warn those in danger and uncover the truth before it’s too late. From Wondery and Novel comes a shocking true story about obsession, control and the price of life and death. Follow the Kill List on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/kill-list now.

4.7 (164)

TRUE CRIME
From Wondery and Goalhanger Podcasts, Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan tell the wild stories of some of the most extraordinary men and women ever to have lived – and ask whether they have the rep they deserve. Should Nina Simone’s role in the civil rights movement be more celebrated than it is? When you find out what Picasso got up to in his studio, can you still admire his art? Was Napoleon a hero or a tyrant - or both? (And, while we’re at it, was he even short?) Legacy is the show that looks at big lives from the perspective of now – and doesn’t always like what it sees. Listen to Legacy on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge episodes 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/legacy now.

4.0 (125)

HISTORY
The human body is a miracle. But when it’s not working, it can be the stuff of nightmares. On this new series from master storyteller MrBallen, we’re sharing medical horror stories and diagnostic mysteries that are surgically calibrated to make your blood run cold. From bizarre, unheard-of diseases and miraculous recoveries to strange medical mishaps and unexplainable deaths — you’ll never hear the phrase “heart-stopping” in the same way again. MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between MrBallen and Wondery, the award-winning company behind Dr. Death. Follow MrBallen's Medical Mysteries on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes publish for free every Tuesday. Prime members can binge episodes 73-80 early and ad-free on Amazon Music. Wondery+ subscribers can listen ad-free--join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

4.8 (103)

TRUE CRIME
These are stories you were never meant to hear. The invisible but vital work of the world’s intelligence services: secret operatives playing to very different rules. The Spy Who, hosted by Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey, takes you deep inside that shadow world to meet spies who risked everything in the national interest – or, sometimes, their own. Listen to The Spy Who ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-spy-who now.

4.6 (105)

HISTORY
If you’re interested in unexpected conversations that go uncharted places, are remotely self-aware and like to laugh, then please join me as I continue to find my public voice on Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky. (That’s me.) I will have honest, wide-ranging interviews with all kinds of people – recognizable names, regular folks, experts and friends – about what it means to reclaim what’s been lost or taken in the broadest sense. Every week, I’ll draw from my own unique experiences (like say, surviving a global scandal at 24 years old), and delve into the personal and often messy ways people find their way back to themselves. And because I love a good tangent, we’ll probably also touch on other stuff, too. Follow Reclaiming on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new episodes on YouTube, or listen to Reclaiming early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

5.0 (23)

SOCIETY & CULTURE

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4.4

out of 5

396 Ratings

Great

24/10/2024

Edda Marine

I really enjoyed this podcast
Quiet offensive.

5 Mar

Wyndham2244

The hosts display such blatant sexism that their biased commentary completely overshadows the interesting stories. If two men spoke about women the way they do, the show would be canceled without hesitation. It’s unfortunate that any potential is lost to such repulsive behavior.
Love the podcast

25 Feb

Randombuyer

I have really enjoyed the way you both analyse scams and always come back to what the scammer’s intentions were. I’d be interested to hear you do the story of Belle Gibson - an Aussie wellness influencer who faked brain cancer. Recent Netflix show done about her story
Looks like you both are popular in Oz

12/12/2024

glb99

Have been listening to this fantastic podcast for a while so thought I better do a review . Wow lots of Aussies love you . Well add me to your list . Your content is interesting and dealt with in a thoughtful way. LOVE the sound of your voices and the rapport you both have .
You won’t regret listening

26/11/2024

Jo Jo from Melb

I love these ladies. I’m from Australia and I love their voices!! I want to hang out with them. I think they’re great storytellers. Thanks ladies, love your work.
Entertaining

22/09/2024

Lucas, Oz

It would have scored 5 stars if not for Hagi trying to identify as “brown”. Girl, except for the hair, born out of closeness to the Arabian Peninsula and intermarriage as a result, you’re not as “brown” as you try to pass yourself. Quite frankly, you’re not not as light skinned as an average Kinyarwanda for instance. I lived in and among a very large Somali community within and without African and on the skin tone spectrum, I find myself light skinned at 6 out of 10 Somalis but I’m still proud to think of myself as black. Out with this “brown” stuff, leave it to the South East Asians who are still trying find a singular identity for themselves as a group.
I love it

09/10/2024

Liamtone

I love this show. Its like hearing hot gossip. Good work team :)
Love it!

17/08/2024

cherisy

My new go to podcast, love the detail you go into that didn’t always make it to the regular news story on the event. Entertaining hosts, enjoy your banter. Thanks!
Had so much potential

19/08/2024

LivvyLottieLou

I’m a little sad tonight… I loved this podcast and the duo who present it, but after listening to the Abbie Miller episode I’m unsubscribing. They explain the depths of the abuse this woman dished up to children, then completely whitewashed it and even worse, then lauded it as good television. There’s a line and, for me, they crossed it, for the completely banal reason of mindless entertainment. I’m a little disappointed and just unsubscribed.
thank you Sarah and Scaachi!

08/07/2024

Bridget Fahey

Thanks to the brilliant hosts and writers, this podcast helps me with my dopamining so I can get through the work day