12 episodes
Scamfluencers Wondery
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- Society & Culture
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3.9 • 1.2K Ratings
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New episodes come out every Monday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.
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.
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Fake Saudi Prince | Catch Me If You Scam
Prince Khalid bin al-Saud is an international playboy from an ultra-wealthy Saudi family. He's posted hundreds of photos on Instagram showing off his lavish lifestyle, complete with private jets, designer bags, and a diamond-encrusted jaguar-shaped bracelet. But there's one problem -- he's a fake. His real name is Tony Gignac and he's from Detroit, Michigan. And he's about to pull off a series of daring cons from Dubai to Miami.
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Fake Saudi Prince | We’ll Never Be Royals
This episode comes out for free on 6/27, and is available early and ad-free for Wondery+ subscribers.
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Anthony Gignac, masquerading as a Saudi prince, is finally living the life of luxury he’s always dreamed of. But of course, it’s not enough. He’s planning his biggest scam yet. He’s going to buy one of Miami’s most iconic hotels. That is, until a billionaire real estate magnate starts digging around… and discovers a trail of lies. -
Brazil's Supermom | Mommy Dearest
Beloved gospel singer and congresswoman, Flordelis dos Santos de Souza was revered in Brazil as the “Mother of the Nation” for adopting 55 children. But when her husband is killed during an armed robbery -- everyone in the family becomes a potential suspect. The investigation unravels a deception so twisted it shocks the nation. Is Floredlis a superstar or super-criminal?
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Brazil's Supermom | Bad At Dying
Suspicion builds around Flordelis and her mega-sized family as the investigation unfolds and the horrifying truth comes to light. When a suspect is arrested and Flordelis’ children begin to turn on her, it becomes clear that her saintly facade may have been the greatest con of all.
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Dr. Teen Love, MD | Master of Deception
Malachi Love-Robinson, a sickly teenager from South Florida, has dreams of becoming a doctor someday. The only problem? He doesn’t want to wait. With just a white lab coat and a stethoscope, Malachi transforms himself into “Doctor Love” and launches a medical career. Unfortunately, as with all good scammers, he gets too ambitious, raising the stakes higher and higher, until one day, the “Doctor” meets the wrong “patient.”
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The Hollywood Ponzi Scheme | The Talented Mr. Avery
Zach Horwitz owns a sandwich and smoothie shop in Chicago, but dreams of moving to Hollywood to make it as an actor. Luckily, Zach knows a thing or two about creating high-stakes fantasy worlds, just like in the movies. So he crafts an opportunity of a lifetime out of thin air that lands him and his girlfriend, Mallory, in Los Angeles. Mallory is his biggest supporter, and for a while, it seems like Zach is finding fast success… until he bites off more than he can chew. Over the next three episodes, Scaachi and Sarah will explore the meteoric rise of a Hollywood wannabe best-known for his headline-making arrest.
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Customer Reviews
Too Much for Too Little
Story selections are great, but there are back and forth remarks that just aren’t funny, intriguing, or helpful to the pace and story. It becomes a little eye-rolling and distracting, but I’m hopeful they’ll get into a groove and improve. I’ll keep listening until I decide to stay or go. Good luck to the creators! You’re still onto something.
Best Scam Podcast and Hosts
I am so thrilled to have found this podcast! Sara and Scaachi are hilarious and clear, through storytellers who devote the perfect amount of time to each scam. I’ve listened to a lot of scam podcasts and this is the best yet, great stories and narration plus some very funny (but not distracting) back and forth from the gals. Please keep putting out eps!
Could be so good
I 100% agree with the previous review titled "too much for too little". The stories hook me in and I really want to hear them out but the back and forth comments are annoying and make me want to stop listening. Constant "OMG" and "Wow can you believe it" like highschool gossip is ruining what could be one of my favorite new podcasts. I am hoping this is improving, in the latest episodes there has been less of it so perhaps the reviews are helping. I will raise my stars to 5 when they match the tone of the stories with their commentary. The victims of these scams deserve more respect, especially ones that were murdered, abused etc. like the story in Brazil.