Natalie Cochran seemed like she had it all: a good job as a pharmacist, a loving husband, and two kids. But then she quit her job to become a government contractor and started raking in dough, or so she claimed. Behind the scenes, Natalie was running a classic Ponzi scheme, scamming friends and family with fake contracts, fake government emails, and even fake cancer. But when the walls start closing in, lies alone won’t be enough to save her… These are the stories of the world’s most insidious Scamfluencers. And we are their prey. Every week on Scamfluencers, 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? Listen now: Wondery.fm/SCAM See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scamfluencers hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi sit down with Scam Factory host Denise Chan to get the lowdown on how she discovered Max and Charlie’s gripping story and new details about the efforts to take down these scam operations. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Follow Scam Factory on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/scam-factory/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Charlie's brothers attempt to escape. But can they ever really break free from the scam factory? And, more importantly, can Charlie?  Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Follow Scam Factory on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/scam-factory/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Charlie finally has a plan to save her brothers from the scam factory when she gets a chilling phone call. Now, she must race to rescue them before it’s too late. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Follow Scam Factory on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/scam-factory/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jella is determined to find a way to escape, while Charlie finds herself in a desperate situation. Both women seek help from a mysterious man in Bangkok. But working with him could mean Charlie's downfall. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Follow Scam Factory on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/scam-factory/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Charlie excels at her new job, which has devastating consequences for two women who pay the price. And one of them won’t let Charlie get away with it.  If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some resources: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 988.  The National Alliance on Mental Illness is available at 1-800-950-6264. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Follow Scam Factory on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/scam-factory/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Charlie is determined to get her brother back at all costs. But who is she willing to sacrifice to pay for his freedom?   Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Follow Scam Factory on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/scam-factory/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Max lands a new job abroad with a life-changing salary, he jumps at the opportunity. But when he arrives after a harrowing journey, he realizes he’s been tricked. And this job is not one he can easily quit. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Follow Scam Factory on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/scam-factory/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

​​You’ve likely received one of those mysterious texts from an unknown number saying they’ve got a great new job opportunity or a crypto deal you can’t pass up. But behind those messages are thousands of people held inside specially-designed micro cities built for scammers. And if they try to leave…there is a shoot to kill order. From Wondery, comes a new series about a family trapped inside the scam factory. Only to realize that the only way out, is to scam their way out. But who will pay the price for their freedom? And who is really being scammed? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.