Scamfluencers Podcast By Wondery cover art

Scamfluencers

Scamfluencers

By: Wondery
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About this listen

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.

© 2022 Wondery LLC. All rights reserved. Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Paul and Patricia Bragg: The Mother of All Wellness Scams | 158

    Paul and Patricia Bragg: The Mother of All Wellness Scams | 158
    May 12 2025

    Paul Bragg used showmanship and outrageous claims to grow his health food company into a wellness empire. But after he died in his 90s and passed the company to his daughter, Patricia, people started asking questions. And soon it’s revealed that Paul and Patricia’s empire was built on a foundation of lies… about their products, and about themselves.

    Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

    Listen to Scamfluencers 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/scamfluencers/ now.

    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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    54 mins
  • Michael Milken: When Junk Was King | 157

    Michael Milken: When Junk Was King | 157
    May 5 2025

    Michael Milken is known as the King of Junk Bonds. In the early 80s, he pioneered a novel way to finance companies that traditional investors normally wouldn’t touch. His high-risk, high-reward investing strategy upended decades of Wall Street norms. And it made celebrities out of Michael and the corporate raiders he funded, like T. Boone Pickens, Rupert Murdoch, and Carl Icahn. Michael did make it possible for smaller companies to access capital. But he did it by breaking norms, ethical codes, and financial regulations in order to manipulate the system at every turn. Though, when stock brokers turn into snitches, even his billions can’t protect him.

    Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

    Listen to Scamfluencers 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/scamfluencers/ now.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Listen Now: Death County, PA

    Listen Now: Death County, PA
    Apr 29 2025

    Lamont Jones leaves Dauphin County Prison for the last time, a free man ready to move on with his life. But when his young cousin dies in that same jail, he learns that this is not the only mysterious death that has plagued Dauphin County Prison. The search for the truth will put him at odds with a reality TV show coroner who claims to speak for the dead and people in power who all have something to hide.


    Listen to Death County, PA: Wondery.fm/DCPA_FD

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    Show more Show less
    6 mins
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Featured Article: 10 of the Best New Podcasts of 2022


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

Great interaction

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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! 🤍

EXCELLENT PODCAST

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

Entertaining!

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

Great podcast

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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!!!

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

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I really enjoy the idea of this podcast. The podcasters do give the true investigators of these scams and wrote about them the credit they have earned but the lack of true knowledge that these podcasters display in their comments during the podcasts is so disappointing.

love the idea of this podcast

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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.

Great listen

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

too much silly giggling

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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!

Fascinating, engaging content!

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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.

Wow, why such bad reviews?

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