Scamfluencers

5,010
Society & Culture #32, All Genres #234

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.

More
Recent Episodes
Episodes loading...
Recent Reviews
  • Sgtmama226
    I love this show but…
    I love this show. I even went back and started from episode 1. At first the hatred of Republicans and all other conservatives was not very blatant. And then 2024 started and they let their guard down. As much as I enjoy the show the hatred is hard to listen too.
  • Nick-Mickey
    New favorite podcast!
    I LOVE this podcast, I cannot get enough, it’s so captivating and I greatly appreciate the dry humor and commentary of the hosts. Sarah and Scaachi have an amazing on mic chemistry that doesn’t make these stories dry or boring. I also appreciate that each episode is a different story as opposed to focusing on just one story. I hope this review reaches someone because I truly cannot emphasize enough just how much I love this podcast.
  • squidz24
    Super fun
    I look forward to Tuesdays, and the fun energy these ladies bring the stories. It doesn’t bother me, what they say about white people, or men, or whatever. Plenty of other stuff to listen to if that’s not your jam. Have you been following what’s happening with Dolton, IL mayor Tiffany Henyard? There could be a lot to talk about there.
  • Daveintheburbs
    Keep up the good work!
    I enjoy this podcast and find the narrators entertaining and funny.
  • SWM963
    Victim Blaming Turned Me Off
    I was really getting into this podcast until I listened to the episode with the swiffer girl. They gloss over the sexual assault of a child and said she should just do the work to get over it. This does not excuse her actions as an adult, but this is a perfect case of tell me you are not a victim of childhood trauma without telling me you’re not a victim of childhood trauma. We’re talking about a 13-year-old girl who is the victim of an incredibly damaging sexual assault and the continuing aftermath of shame and ostracism, including her parents normalizing it. This is an incredibly serious trauma that is not easy to just get over or even do the work. A few episodes later, they gave a big pass to all the kids, the rich kids, in the college admissions scandal. I enjoyed the show, but I can’t listen to this anymore.
  • Brandy MMFL
    Liked these two until…
    Liked this show until these two bashed white people. Racists giving this podcast out where they blatantly say they don’t like white people. Will never listen to this gross podcast again.
  • Hotrod&dolce
    Yes!
    I was hooked after the Elon one. Keep it up. Great stuff and well presented.
  • RAinATX
    Boycott
    This podcast should be boycotted because of the implication that the NLP guy is evil because he struggled with cocaine. If he is evil, it is not big because he struggled with cocaine, it is because he is evil. This would lead people to think that all recovering cocaine addicts are evil. Not OK at all. I would really like to listen to this topic, but cannot participate in something like this.
  • Tiffany E. Dennett
    Topics are good. Hosts are Not
    I like the topics of this podcast, but I’m incredibly disappointed to hear how insensitive the hosts are to sexual assault survivors particularly in their Prep School episode. I hope a minor close to you ever experiences sexual exploitation. Saying just to move on and do the work like it’s so easy is downright cold and disrespectful to other survivors. I will be unsubscribing to this podcast.
  • BridgetY
    Disappointed in commentary
    The girl who does the “color commentary” is so hard to listen to. She comes off as superior and condescending. She makes judgments without offering anything to back it up. I wish you could just cut her comments out and just hear the story. It ruins what might otherwise be a decent podcast. I say “might” because it’s clear these ladies have an agenda so their whole story line is suspect.
  • EmilyRags
    YES!!
    I just stumbled across your show and am officially obsessed! You are both great and your friendship comes through in a great way. Pleeeease do Teal Swan and/ or Billy McFarland!! He’s been pushing Fyre 2 lately and I’m so pumped to see it fail. Keep up the great content! I’m loving it
  • Michelle 11221
    Top tier
    Love the content, especially in exposing scammers I didn’t even know about! The research is well done and the hosts are entertaining.
  • Cheri Col.
    Your bias is showing
    The content and stories in this podcast are great, I really enjoy them. But the overwhelming and obvious bias of the hosts is nauseating. It sometimes affects their ability to tell an interesting story since they have a clear and obvious agenda. They say all the things you’re “supposed” to say in media like the rest of the parrots. They could leave their condescending opinions out and just tell the interesting stories they’re covering. Plus the addition of the encore episodes is really annoying. I have to toss this show to the side for several weeks/months before coming back so I actually have some new content to listen to.
  • Jenna Michelle S.
    Political tones
    I cannot listen any longer. Too many aggravating political comments and innuendoes. It has totally turned me off. Unfollowed.
  • cassidy.b
    Long time listener & major fan!
    I love this podcast so so much. The best host dynamic of any podcast I listen to!! The stories are exposed in such an engaging way. Always thrilled when new episodes drop, and I for sure give episodes a second & third play. Thanks Sarah & Sachi!
  • i❤HK
    Bogus Ads!!
    WHY would you put an ad on here for HAIR STYLE DISCRIMINATION?Are you that hard up for money that you would put any ads on here no matter how ridiculous they are??? Stop the insanity already!!!
  • Susienyer
    Fabulous
    I can’t believe that the naysayers are listening to the same podcast that I am. I have listened to Scamfluencers practically since the beginning and I certainly don’t hear anything about politics or race. Your stories are terrific and your narrative style is great. You’re smart, witty, and great podcasters. I have just one request, Saachi, will you slow down your delivery a little bit? Lately it’s sounding rushed. Keep up the good work!
  • charlottejlk
    Please stop with the encores
    I love this podcast so much but I feel click-baited when I see a new episodes alert and it’s an encore episode. This podcast is too new to already be playing throwbacks and I feel grifted.
  • Heidi Jean
    Just keeps getting worse and worse
    I keep giving this podcast chances to be better because I enjoyed most of the content. But now the episodes I enjoy are far and few between. Not to mention the overload of encores.
  • 387545745864
    Hello
    This is the best podcast I’ve ever listened to
  • Ladychake
    Just tell the story
    I’m listening to a show about scammers not politics, correct? I feel scammed. Not sure anyone cares about your personal political views. I sure don’t.
  • FRuthM
    Repeat episodes
    It’s too many of them
  • nadyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyya
    You guys are so cute & fun
    Want to be friends with you
  • heathyrAdair
    This yt woman loves the show
    Found your podcast in August 2024 and I’ve been binging it. I love your stories and your voices. Many of these people I knew something about but you are bringing all the dirt and I love it! Keep it up ladies. Don’t let the haters stop you from doing your thang ;)
  • KT Blue Creations on Etsy
    Scamfluencers is the best!
    Love everything about this podcast! The hosts (funny and witty with awesome voices), the stories (amazing, thoughtfully written and shared), the production (the music, editing and sound effects are perfection). The only bad thing I could possibly say about this podcast is there are too many “ENCORE” episodes. Need new shows! No repeats please, since people can always go back and listen to the original airing.
  • Eemdeebee
    Absolutely addictive
    I’ve never felt the need to review a podcast but I cannot stop listening to scamfluencers. I found it a couple of weeks ago and have been binging it ever since. Not only are the stories fascinating, I love the banter between Sara and Scaachi. I have recommended this show to anyone who likes podcasts! I cannot get enough.
  • Woodjr
    Ignorant
    Ignorant liberals with white guilt. They are everything they say they are against. Daddy issues with a huge dose of left wing woke indoctrination by our failing federal education system!
  • Willnot
    Forcing an agenda
    Dude! I used to love these ladies. Loved their show until their true political views came out. I hate when this happens. Can’t we just keep our political views to ourselves???
  • CR208ID
    Not sure anymore
    Your episode on Elon Musk is to biased for me. To minimize his accomplishments down to the success of Twitter is upsetting to me. To compare him to actual scam artists and crooks whose main objective is to hurt someone isn’t unfair. To dismiss Optimus because 4 years they had someone in a suit but not follow up with the progress in 2024 is unfair.
  • Games5976
    Annoying
    Loved this podcast for a while until they became too hung up on American politics. Aren’t you both Canadian? I’m sure they miss you, feel free to return.
  • loyal daddy
    5 Stars without all the “Encore” episodes
    Stop with the encores. Just don’t post an episode if you’re skipping the week.
  • Not-fun
    why
    normally i enjoy this podcast but idk how im supposed to endure a full episode of stroking a transphobic bigot's ego w two reporters from an openly transphobic news publication. elon and nyt can both burn.
  • podlistener0353
    Jack episode pt 2 is incorrect
    I kept listening to the newest episode thinking there was gonna be some overlap between jack’s story from part one but it turns out the wrong audio was uploaded. Please fix it!
  • tbdefg
    Overtly racist
    I listened to a few episodes of this podcast with my daughter and we enjoyed it but the continuous put down of white people made it unlistenable. We started an episode on a yoga guru and the first thing they say to each other is “name something you wouldn’t want a white person to teach you” followed by “well there’s literally hundreds of things I wouldn’t want a white person to teach me”. The hosts don’t even write the episodes, all they’re bringing to the table is racist attempts at virtue signaling. Too bad because I thought the stories were okay.
  • Zion5010
    Juvenile, biased, irresponsible
    Embarrassing amount of man-hating, white-hating, ridiculously biased storytelling. - Sincerely, a brown woman who wishes you’d stop encouraging racial/sexist division and hate
  • Женя Жданова
    Great podcast
    The stories are fascinating, and the way they have been told is really engaging. I like the hosts and I like that they are very opinionated. Go girls! These ladies are brilliant!
  • cocolistens
    First Ever Pod Review
    I have fully enjoyed this podcast!! The Hostess are smart, funny & have a great relatable relationship!! It’s mind blowing to me that some reviews are “enjoyed every episode” with ONE star!?!? I hope this pod gets the recognition it deserves and has more to come! Love ya’ll!!
  • Jeffrey99
    Used to be halfway decent…
    The podcast has never been great. Its just something to listen to weekly when I have 40 hours of audio time available at work. However they officially lost me when they white washed history and got all high and mighty about not saying the name “Washington Redskins”. You know the one multiple local tribes approve of? That didn’t agree with changing the name?!? But thank god the white washing of history. That’d be offensive to say a historical name.
  • sadiepodcast01
    wrong podcast title & story
    The podcast labeled “Jack Abramoff Part 2” isn’t about him. It’s a completely different story about opera tickets. I keep checking back every day to find the corrected podcast but it’s still wrong. This is sloppy editing/uploading.
  • Soldon
    Great Idea for a Podcast
    The podcast is very interesting, and the Podcasters are entertaining. They are young, and their immaturity and lack of experience comes through. Nevertheless, I enjoy all the episodes.
  • Betty Draper74
    My favorite podcast
    Ugh, Wondery, why are you releasing the episodes sooo slowly. This is the the best duo of podcasters in the cohost- commentary genre. So much better than Crime Junkie or the other duos. Scaachi and “Hagi” are the best. Please- More!
  • Lincoln the Cat
    Love the stories. Cover Democrats!
    I really enjoy hearing the stories and the veil pulled back on so many everyday people who have actually scammed their way to the top. Though these women chose to alway take Republican scam stories (rightfully so) I think it’d be even more interesting if they’d cover Democrat cases too. You know, as a break from calling conservative groups “dreadful” and “horrible.” But other than the almost unbearable vocal fry and slightly annoying millennial commentary (as a Gen-Zer, some of the jokes and comments are very cringey) I do enjoy the stories on the show.
  • StewStuStew
    My favorite show!
    These hosts have such incredible chemistry and each episode bounces precipitously back and forth between the absolutely terrifying or heartbreaking and the completely hilarious and outlandish. The effort and research put into each episode is consistently high. I’m delighted by the two hosts, who are constantly shifting between being empathetic audience surrogates and incredible storytellers. A binge listen if ever there was one!
  • p_ jones
    2’s a crowd
    This had potential, but another podcast where there is ZERO reason for 2 people went downhill quickly. What is the deal with the laughing and giggling ?? Awful.
  • Photogeek 23
    I Love yall!
    I love listening to your podcast! You guys are to funny and I can’t wait to here more!
  • ripnstitch
    I’m out now
    The premise of the show is great and entertaining. However, after the consistent personal insertions of bias against men, whites and America, I choose to no longer subscribe
  • This Miss Meliss
    Keeps getting more political
    I used to love this podcast. But the hosts have become increasingly more political, stating hyper left leaning opinions as though they’re fact and not just bias.
  • maecythedogismyfriend
    White Men Hate?
    The content of the podcast is great - I love the stories. Unfortunately, as a white man, I feel targeted by the hosts. It's unfortunate, as I would've loved to keep listening - luckily the Scamtown podcast exists now and doesn't have hosts who take cheap shots and discriminate against people who had no choice of who they were born to or of their gender.
  • MereV22
    Such a good show
    I love the relationship between Sara and Scaachi. Makes for such fun listening. Well researched, informative and highly entertaining. And ladies if you’re reading this, you can actually buy heated toilet seats on Amazon for $100. lol.
  • KimR1981
    Great Storytelling. Judgemental Hosts Unfortunately
    Love the topic of scammers. Very entertaining. Hosts tell stories well. I’d give the podcast 10 out of 5 stars if they wouldn’t be so obvious about how much they do not like white people. It’s rude for anyone to put someone down because of their color or ethnicity. It’s gross. Belittling others… Black. White. Asian. Doesn’t matter. It’s hate. Had to stop listening after 8 episodes. I’m disappointed because it’s otherwise fantastic.
Similar Podcasts
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.