Scamfluencers

By: Wondery
  • 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.

    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.

    © 2022 Wondery LLC. All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • ENCORE: Gossip Girls | Part 1
    Mar 3 2025

    While we work on some brand-new episodes, we’re returning to one of our very first episodes about two jet-setting sisters from Canada, Kiran and Jyoti Matharoo. In 2016, a mysterious apology video surfaces online. In it, the sisters claim they’re the masterminds behind a vicious gossip site that’s been stirring up scandal and controversy in Nigeria. The only problem? The video is a fabrication — and the truth is even stranger.

    Want to hang out with us IRL? Reserve your spot today for Wondery's Exhibit C: A True Crime Cruise: exhibitccruise.com/scamfluencers

    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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    37 mins
  • Listen Now: Scam Factory
    Feb 25 2025

    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.


    Listen Now: Wondery.fm/Scam_Factory

    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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    6 mins
  • Priscila Barbosa: The Rideshare Robinhood
    Feb 24 2025

    When Priscila Barbosa moves to Boston from Brazil in 2018, she sets out to pay off her debts and send money back home by driving for rideshare platforms like Uber and Lyft. Eventually, she decides her cut isn’t enough, and she rallies other undocumented immigrants to create one of the most lucrative illicit rideshare rings in Beantown. But this millennial #girlboss learns that suspicious groupchats and Instagrams flaunting her cozy new lifestyle will hurt her chances of staying one step ahead of Silicon Valley and the feds. Eventually, Priscilla’s free ride delivers her to a final destination: jail.

    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
    53 mins

Featured Article: 10 of the Best New Podcasts of 2022


It was another great year for podcasts, with a remarkable rise in both production quality and quantity of listening gems. Whether factual or anecdotal, sensational or deadpan, podcasts have a unique way of catering to any niche, no matter how specific. We were lucky to hear a lot of new podcasts this year, from the scripted and immersive to more relaxed, conversational pods, but we managed to narrow them down to the 10 most impactful and influential among our editors and listeners.

What listeners say about Scamfluencers

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining!

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

love the idea of this podcast

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

too much silly giggling

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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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Interesting and Informative

I recently stumbled across this podcast and I’m really enjoying it. I like the hosts and the stories are true and interesting.

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