Scamfluencers
True Crime & Paranormal
About
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. 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 o...
Episodes
- Bess Myerson: Miss America on Trial | 212
Bess Myerson, the first Jewish Miss America, achieved a successful television career and entered New York City politics. Her reputation faced a significant challenge in the 1980s due to a scandal involving her boyfriend, his divorce judge,…
- Eddie Antar: The Criminal Antics of Crazy Eddie | 211
This episode explores the story of Eddie Antar, known as Crazy Eddie, and his retail success with electronics. It covers the fraudulent activities, including tax evasion and insurance scams, that were part of his business.
- William Neil Gallagher: The Money Doctor | 210
This episode of Scamfluencers discusses William Neil Gallagher, dubbed "The Money Doctor," who defrauded individuals by presenting himself as a devout man and misappropriating their retirement and savings. He was compared to Bernie Madoff…
- Sean Kingston: Beautiful Lies | 209
This episode uncovers how musician Sean Kingston, despite his successful music career, became involved in fraud. It details his use of his celebrity status to accumulate luxury goods and debts, eventually leading to the collapse of his sch…
- Dana Giacchetto - Swindler to the Stars | 208
This episode of Scamfluencers tells the story of Dana Giacchetto, a financial advisor who gained access to Hollywood elites in the 1990s. He misused client funds to finance his lavish lifestyle, blurring the line between business and night…
- ENCORE: Making Up The Grade: The College Admissions Scandal | 207
This episode discusses the college admissions scandal where consultant Rick Singer helped wealthy families rig the system to get their children into top universities. The investigation exposed the darker aspects of the American education s…
- ENCORE: Ozy Media: Pivot to Fraud | 206
This episode of Scamfluencers discusses Ozy Media and its founder Carlos Watson. It explores how Watson allegedly pivoted from journalism to fraud after his millennial-focused news website failed to attract the promised readership.
- ENCORE: Melissa Caddick: Trouble Afoot | 205
This episode revisits the story of Melissa Caddick, an Australian financial planner who swindled her friends and family. Caddick, who had always dreamed of doing big things, became a high-powered financial planner, living a lavish lifestyl…
- Bernard Lafferty: The Billionaire Butler | 204
This episode of Scamfluencers details the life of Doris Duke and the struggle for control of her fortune. Her butler, Bernard Lafferty, is central to the drama that unfolded in her final years.
- Pat Nolan: Here Comes the Bribe | 203
This episode of Scamfluencers details the political career and subsequent legal troubles of Pat Nolan, a California lawmaker involved in a corruption scandal. It covers his fall from power and his later public rebrand.
- The Salt Path: A Long Walk From the Truth | 202
This episode explores the memoir "The Salt Path" by Raynor Winn (Sally Walker), which became a literary sensation. As the author's fame grew, skepticism emerged regarding the truthfulness of the story, prompting investigation into the narr…
- Jerry Jacobson: The Real Hamburglar | 201
This episode of Scamfluencers tells the story of Jerry Jacobson, who orchestrated a scheme to rig the McDonald's Monopoly game for nearly a decade. He stole winning game pieces and sold them for profit, making the jackpot unwinnable for th…
- Matt Bergwall: Return to Sender | 200
Matt Bergwall's scam involved exploiting corporate refund systems for personal gain. This led to his arrest after his scheme garnered the attention of an FBI informant.
- Napoleon Hill: The Self-Help Scammer Scion | 199
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the life and claims of Napoleon Hill, the author of Think and Grow Rich. It examines his accounts of being mentored by millionaires and advising presidents, and how his work influenced modern self-hel…
- Brittish Williams: Out of Bounds | 198
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the life and legal troubles of former Basketball Wives star Brittish Williams. It traces her journey from reality television to her arrest on felony fraud charges.
- Charlie Javice: Fake It Til You Make It | 197
This episode follows the story of Charlie Javice, who founded the startup Frank to help students with financial aid. It details her path from her early career to the legal consequences she faced after her claims were challenged by a major…
- ENCORE: Billy Mitchell: Truth or Kong-sequences | 196
In this encore episode of Scamfluencers, the show revisits the controversy surrounding Billy Mitchell and his Donkey Kong high scores. The episode explores the questions raised about the legitimacy of Mitchell's records after the release o…
- ENCORE: Sandy Jenkins: Have Your Cake And Steal It, Too | 195
This episode of Scamfluencers looks at the case of Sandy Jenkins, who embezzled money from a Texas fruitcake factory to fund a lavish lifestyle. The episode explores how his scheme was eventually uncovered.
- Lawless Planet: A Polygamist Cult-Leader’s Billion-Dollar Biofuel Scam | 194
This episode of Scamfluencers features a guest episode from Lawless Planet about a billion-dollar biofuel scam. The story details how a polygamist cult leader and an Armenian mobster exploited U.S. clean-energy tax credit loopholes before…
- The Cipriani Family: Bribes and Bellinis | 193
This episode explores the history of the Cipriani family, from their origins in Venice to the expansion of their global restaurant empire. The discussion covers the family's legacy in fine dining alongside controversies such as tax evasion…
- Calvin Darden Jr.: The Flashy Failson Fraud | 192
This episode explores the fraudulent career of Calvin Darden Jr., who manipulated early-2000s Wall Street firms by leveraging fake celebrity connections. It examines how his deceptive schemes went unchecked by financial institutions eager…
- Clifford Irving: The Howard Hughes Hoax | 191
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the story of Clifford Irving, an author who attempted to publish a fraudulent biography of the reclusive Howard Hughes in the 1970s. The episode covers the development of Irving's scheme and the event…
- Alan Todd May: Black Gold, Red Flags | 190
This episode examines the criminal history of Alan Todd May, a con artist who posed as a wealthy Texas oil man, escaped from prison, and infiltrated Florida high society. It details his various deceptions and how his pursuit of fame eventu…
- Studio 54: Tax Evasion! At the Disco | 189
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the history of Studio 54, founded by Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager. It details how the club's success was undermined by the partners' routine financial mismanagement and tax evasion.
- Rick & Rosario Ames: The Spy Who Told Too Much | 188
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the story of CIA agent Rick Ames and his wife, Rosario, who sold classified intelligence to the KGB. It details their decade of espionage, their motive for financial gain, and the long-term impact on…
- ENCORE: Mike Milken: When Junk Was King | 187
This episode revisits the 1980s career of Michael Milken, the "Junk Bond King," who pioneered high-risk investing strategies while operating on Wall Street. The discussion covers his impact on financial markets, the controversy surrounding…
- ENCORE: Bob Menendez: Bad Romance Part 2 | 186
In this episode of Scamfluencers, the ongoing indictment of Senator Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine, is examined. The discussion covers the legal charges involving the government of Egypt and the senator's response to the evidence presen…
- ENCORE: Bob Menendez: Bad Romance Part 1 | 185
This encore episode of Scamfluencers explores the political career and corruption scandals involving U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and his relationship with Nadine Arslanian, featuring updated information.
- Natalie Cochran: The Pharmacist Femme Fatale Part 2 | 184
In the conclusion of this two-part series, investigators and the media confront Natalie Cochran as her Ponzi scheme collapses following the mysterious death of her husband. Cochran attempts to maintain her persona as a grieving widow and c…
- Natalie Cochran: The Pharmacist Femme Fatale Part 1 | 183
This episode profiles Natalie Cochran, a pharmacist whose life unravels as details emerge about her fake government contracting business, fraudulent cancer claims, and victims. It is the first part of a two-part series.
- Mark Hofmann: The Mormon Murderer | 182
This episode explores the story of Mark Hofmann, a Mormon man who achieved fame by forging historical documents that challenged LDS Church narratives. The episode covers his deceptive activities, his double life as a con artist, and the cr…
- Imelda Marcos: The First Lady of Excess Part 2 | 181
In this episode of Scamfluencers, the podcast details the Marcos family's dictatorship in the Philippines, their amassing of wealth, and Imelda Marcos's efforts to maintain political power as Ferdinand Marcos’s health declines and public o…
- Imelda Marcos: The First Lady of Excess Part 1 | 180
This episode explores the life of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, detailing her extravagant lifestyle and the controversy surrounding the wealth she and President Ferdinand Marcos acquired. It also covers the declaration of mar…
- Wayne LaPierre: America’s Hired (and Fired) Gun | 179
This episode examines the career and scandal surrounding Wayne LaPierre, the former leader of the National Rifle Association. It explores allegations that he used the organization's funds for personal luxury while maintaining a public imag…
- Andrew Caspersen: Rich People Problems | 178
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the life and financial crimes of Andrew Caspersen. It details how his personal struggles led to reckless stock market bets that cost his friends and family millions of dollars.
- Brian Reader and the Diamond Wheezers: The Geriatric Jewel Thieves | 177
This episode explores the life of Brian Reader, a British criminal known for his involvement in high-profile heists, including the 2015 Hatton Garden job carried out by an aging group of thieves. It examines how his criminal career conclud…
- Jan Lewan: From Polka Dreams to Ponzi Schemes | 176
This episode explores the life of Jan Lewan, a Polish musician who became a famous polka star in the United States before his career collapsed due to his involvement in a Ponzi scheme. The story covers his rise to fame, his criminal activi…
- ENCORE: Three Weddings and a Funeral: Part 2 | 175
In this follow-up episode, Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter adopts the persona of a Rockefeller heir while living in New York City. The episode details his pursuit of a high-society lifestyle and the complications that arise when his past beg…
- ENCORE: Three Weddings and a Funeral: Part 1 | 174
This encore episode of Scamfluencers explores the story of Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, who created multiple fake identities and deceived women after moving to the U.S. in the 1970s. It details his transition from high school impostor to…
- ENCORE: George Santos: Putting the "Con" in Congress | 173
This encore episode explores the controversies surrounding former U.S. Representative George Santos, his background, and the subsequent investigations into his campaign finances. The episode captures his legal outcomes, including his expul…
- ENCORE: The Pop Star and the Power Broker: Part 2 | 172
This episode concludes the two-part look at Tom Girardi, examining the legal developments and financial investigations that damaged his reputation and led to serious consequences. It also follows the career of pop star Erika Jayne amidst h…
- ENCORE: The Pop Star and the Power Broker: Part 1 | 171
This episode examines the career and controversies surrounding lawyer Tom Girardi. It explores his transition from a celebrated legal advocate to an individual accused of fraudulent schemes, as highlighted by public scrutiny of his marriag…
- Doris Payne: Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Grift | 170
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the life and criminal career of Doris Payne, a jewel thief whose seven-decade spree across nine countries resulted in an estimated $2 million in stolen goods.
- Guo Wengui: The Temu Trump | 169
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the life of Guo Wengui, a former Chinese billionaire who fled to the U.S. and built a following within the MAGA movement while allegedly defrauding his supporters through various business ventures.
- Pras Michel: The Fugee Felon | 168
Fugees founder Pras Michel becomes involved with Malaysian fugitive Jho Low, leading to a complex legal scandal involving international politics and criminal influence. This episode explores the events that led to Michel becoming the face…
- Lisette Lee: The Simple Life Of Crime | 167
This episode of Scamfluencers examines the story of Lisette Lee, an heiress who coerced her associates into acting as drug mules to maintain her luxurious lifestyle. The episode covers her scheme to traffic marijuana via private jet and th…
- Phil Kitzer and the G Men | 166
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the criminal career of Phil Kitzer, a scammer who established fake banks and insurance companies. It details the FBI's first white-collar undercover sting operation to catch him.
- Earl Washington: A Rip Off the Old Block | 165
Earl Washington, an entertainer in Los Angeles, created a scam by selling his own wood carvings on eBay while falsely claiming they were historical relics from his grandfather. The scheme was eventually uncovered by a collector who reporte…
- Prince Michael Romanoff: The High Prince of Hollywood | 164
This episode of Scamfluencers explores the life of Hershel Geguzin, a Polish immigrant who adopted the identity of Prince Michael Romanoff. It details how he maintained this persona for decades among Hollywood's elite.
- Rocky Aoki: Hibachi’s a Bitch and Then You Die | 163
This episode explores the life of Benihana founder Rocky Aoki, detailing his rise as a restaurateur and the subsequent legal and personal controversies that left behind a complicated legacy for his family to manage.