Con Artists
Anyone can fall victim to a con. But what kind of person intentionally tries to deceive and manipulate someone? Peek behind the masks of hustlers, swindlers, and fraudsters, and explore how far someone would go to gain money, power, and respect. Con Artists is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
1
The Fox Sisters
In the late 1840s in Western New York, two preteen girls tricked their parents into thinking their house was haunted.
48 min
2
Herbalife Pt. 2: “Diet Shake Scam”
In 2012, investor Bill Ackman made it his mission to bring Herbalife down, citing unethical business practices.
41 min
3
Herbalife Pt. 1: “Diet Shake Scam”
Mark Hughes founded Herbalife in 1980, with the stated goal of helping people lose weight the healthy way.
44 min
4
Rudy Kurniawan Pt. 2 “Wine Connoisseur to Count...
By 2006, 29-year-old Rudy had been accepted into the wine elite after selling $35 million worth of bottles from his personal collection.
41 min
5
Con Artists Bites: Unrepentant Criminals
Today we’re looking at unrepentant criminals. Why do some criminals lack empathy over their actions?
15 min
6
Rudy Kurniawan Pt. 1: “Wine Connoisseur to Coun...
With his keen sense of taste and exceptional memory, Rudy Kurniawan rose up the ranks of wine connoisseurs around the world in the early 2000s.
40 min
7
Con Artists Bites: Parent & Child Co-Conspirators
Today we’re discussing cases of parent-child co-conspirators.
16 min
8
Lou Blonger: “Million Dollar Bunco Ring”
In the early 20th century, a man many knew only as “the King” grew to be the most powerful man in Denver—the head of an empire of confidence tricksters who swindled victims across the United States.
39 min
9
Con Artists Bites: Unholy Matrimony
Today we’re discussing cases of unholy matrimony.
16 min
10
Don Lapre: “King of Infomercials”
In the 1990s, Don Lapre made a fortune by convincing people they could get rich by operating 900 numbers.
40 min
11
Con Artists Bites: Prison Escapes
Today we’re discussing prison escapes. How common are prison escapes, and what methods of escape are the most successful?
16 min
12
Mary Willcocks Pt. 2: “Princess Caraboo”
For months, Mary Willcocks played the part of Princess Caraboo to the town of Almondsbury.
36 min
13
Con Artists Bites: Mass Panic
Today we’re discussing cases of mass panic. What allows fear to spread so quickly amongst groups of people?
17 min
14
Mary Willcocks Pt. 1: “Princess Caraboo”
In the early 1800s, Mary Willcocks was a young, restless woman struggling in poverty.
39 min
15
Con Artists Bites: Death Penalty
Today we’re diving into cases that ended with the death penalty, and exploring the ongoing debate around it.
14 min
16
Christophe Rocancourt Pt. 2: “Swindler of the S...
After a decade of cons that netted him millions, Christophe Rocancourt landed in the Hamptons… until a dinner party sparked suspicion around his true identity.
40 min
17
Con Artists Bites: Drug Deals
Today we’re discussing cases of drug use and drug dealers. What kind of psychological motivators are present in someone who is using or selling drugs?
14 min
18
Christophe Rocancourt Pt. 1: “Swindler of the S...
He had a new name and identity everywhere he went: Christopher Rockefeller in the Hamptons; Christopher de Laurentiis on the West Coast; a prince; a prize fighter; a member of the French nobility… In reality, he was a grifter in the ‘90s whose transformations enabled—and emboldened—his scams.
44 min
19
Con Artists Bites: Those Close to Criminals
Today we’re looking at commentary from people who surrounded killers and criminals.
14 min
20
Enron Pt. 2: “Corporate Fraud”
In the late 1990s, the energy giant that was Enron imploded, hemorrhaging billions of dollars after decades of hiding debt and cooking the books were finally brought to light.
45 min
21
Con Artists Bites: Post Traumatic Stress
Today we’re discussing cases of post-traumatic stress disorder.
17 min
22
Enron Pt. 1: “Corporate Fraud”
Ken Lay was determined to build America’s premier natural gas company in the 1980s and ‘90s.
46 min
23
Con Artists Bites: Accomplices
Today we’re discussing accomplices of criminals. What leads someone to assist another person in a crime?
15 min
24
Joseph Weil Pt. 2: “Financial Fraud”
Following his legendary con in the 1910s, Joseph "Yellow Kid" Weil took his schemes international, conducting a long-running ploy involving pre-World War Two Germany and even Hitler himself.
34 min
25
Con Artists Bites: Criminal Warning Signs in Ch...
Today we’re discussing criminal warning signs in childhood. What acts did criminals perform in their childhood that may have pointed to their future murders in adulthood? We’ll take a closer look using clips from shows across the Parcast Network.
14 min