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.

    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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Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Yolanda Saldívar: Fan Fatale

    Yolanda Saldívar: Fan Fatale
    Nov 4 2024

    Yolanda Saldívar’s whole life is Tejano music, especially the genre’s biggest rising star: Selena Quintanilla. Yolanda works her way into Selena’s inner circle, first as leader of her fan club and eventually more like a second mother. Then she abuses her power, terrorizing staff and stealing from Selena and her family. But when Selena catches onto her schemes, Yolanda senses that her time in the spotlight may be coming to an end, and she makes a desperate and deadly decision.


    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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    44 mins
  • Matthew Cox: Main Character Syndrome

    Matthew Cox: Main Character Syndrome
    Oct 28 2024

    Matthew Cox wanted to prove his haters—especially his dad—wrong, so he goes into real estate in Florida and quickly gets involved in “light fraud.” That quickly expands to very real fraud and soon Matthew is on the run, stealing identities and opening illegal bank accounts all across the South. His grit and determination run so deep that, when he’s eventually caught and sent to prison, he executes the perfect scammer pivot: using his story to platform himself as a true crime host.

    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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    47 mins
  • Listen Now: MrBallen's Medical Mysteries

    Listen Now: MrBallen's Medical Mysteries
    Oct 22 2024

    The human body is a miracle. But when it’s not working, it can be the stuff of nightmares. On this new series from master storyteller MrBallen, we’re sharing medical horror stories and diagnostic mysteries that are surgically calibrated to make your blood run cold.

    From bizarre, unheard-of diseases and miraculous recoveries to strange medical mishaps and unexplainable deaths — you’ll never hear the phrase “heart-stopping” in the same way again. MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between MrBallen and Wondery, the award-winning company behind Dr. Death.

    Listen to MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries wherever you get your podcasts: Wondery.fm/MrBallenMedicalMysteries

    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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    9 mins

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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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Evelyn

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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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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