Scamfluencers By cover art

Scamfluencers

By: Wondery
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  • Summary

  • 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.

    New episodes come out every Monday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. Listen ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
    © 2022 Wondery LLC. All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Never Forget, Never Forgive

    Never Forget, Never Forgive
    May 13 2024

    In this episode we look into an alarming scam trend: people who lie about where they were on 9/11. It’s a lie that ties together a volunteer firefighter seeking attention, an immigrant trying to fit in, a comedian looking for his big break, and even someone seeking the White House. They’re exploiting national tragedy for sympathy and clout. But with a lie so easy to disprove, what can they really hope to gain?

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    45 mins
  • Stephen Glass: Bad News

    Stephen Glass: Bad News
    May 6 2024

    Stephen Glass is a rising star in the ’90s magazine journalism world, breaking provocative stories that his editors love. But some find the stories too fantastical to believe. When he finally gets a close edit, the scope and scale of his scam will be stranger than fiction.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    45 mins
  • Listen Now: The Price of Paradise

    Listen Now: The Price of Paradise
    May 5 2024

    When ex-Bunny girl Jayne Gaskin spots the desert island of her dreams for sale online, she decides to risk it all. Trading in their English village home, Jayne and her family relocate to their own private paradise, just off the coast of Nicaragua. And a reality TV crew follows them to film a new show, No Going Back. But soon they all discover that paradise has its secrets. The locals claim the island belongs to them, and it’s been sold illegally. Jayne’s not leaving without a fight. A fight that will soon turn deadly.


    Hosted by Alice Levine.


    Listen to The Price of Paradise 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 or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/the-price-of-paradise/

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    7 mins
Social Sciences
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Featured Article: The Best True Crime Podcasts of All Time


If you’re fascinated by true crime, you're not alone. The genre is among the most popular in audio today, with true crime podcasts climbing the charts, consistently drawing in new listeners and earning high ratings. When carefully crafted, true crime offers so much more than just a quick shock or thrill: these listens are created with a sense of empathy and interest that highlight the full spectrum of human nature. Find a new case to unravel.

Featured Article The Best True Crime Podcasts of All Time

What listeners say about Scamfluencers

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Profile Image for DrNana

Great interaction

I enjoy the way the 2 hosts interact as they tell the story. Looking forward to the next story.

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Profile Image for Mia

EXCELLENT PODCAST

I have a Wondery+ membership and it is worth every cent! The app itself is excellent and far exceeds any other podcast app out there. I literally just here to share my feedback because I love this show so much! Sarah and Scaachi are just awesome! They do their homework, they tell stories perfectly, and the stay on topic - unlike almost every other podcast duos who eventually use their podcasts as a platform to air their own vapid personal-diary monologues.
Don't listen to the negative reviews. Honestly they all sound like the bitter whining of failed podcasters. 😂
PS. I am not affiliated with Wondery in any way. This is just the feedback from a very satisfied user. Thanks guys! Stay awesome! 🤍

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Profile Image for Gabriella Bistulfi

Entertaining!

The hosts are very entertaining as they share these stories about scams, greed, and sometimes even murder.

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Profile Image for DA Hopkins

Great podcast

I enjoy the topics. I think the banter between the hosts is great, and I enjoy hearing their perspectives on the crimes they discuss.

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Profile Image for Amazon Customer

Obsessed with this podcast, it’s now my number 1

I love this podcast, they’re so interesting and the women are so funny and grab your attention. It’s now my top podcast so far! It’s a must!!!

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Profile Image for SarahH

Great listen

I really enjoy this podcast. It's well written and well reported. The hosts have good rapport and tell just the right amount of jokes and exposition. The stories are interesting and I have not heard of most of them.

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Profile Image for Amazon Customer

too much silly giggling

stories are good and entertaining, well researched. however, host's constant giggling is just silly

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Profile Image for Mary Elizabeth

Fascinating, engaging content!

So far I’ve listened to episode 1 & 2: Ballet’s Lethal Start-Up. I wanted to leave a review now so others will give it a listen too. I enjoyed the content as well as the fun banter between the two hosts. I appreciated that the hosts circled back with a brief reminder of key information discussed previously and also that they clued you in when new information will become relevant later in the episode. When listening to a podcast, I want to be entertained and learn something new, so I appreciated that I can follow the “storyline” easily without missing key information. This podcast is well-produced, informative, fun and interesting!

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Profile Image for Just my thoughts....

Wow, why such bad reviews?

I am an honest person so yes at first I will admit I was annoyed by the dragging on and what I took as fake banter but then I gave it another go and I will admit it has grabbed my attention once you get past that stuff I found it rather enjoyable.

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Profile Image for Courtney D.

LOVE THIS PODCAST!!!

Sarah and Scaachi had me from the first time I listened!! The show is funny, informative, and well researched! I love the banter between the two and am ALWAYS excited to see when a new episode has been released! Although some people may not appreciate your perspectives on these stories from a Black and Brown point of view, I certainly do and think it is much needed! Keep up the good work, ladies!!!

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