National Geographic investigates romance scams in ‘Super Scam Me’

National Geographic is set to premiere a new investigative special titled ‘Super Scam Me’ on October 17, featuring journalist Mariana van Zeller. The program explores the mechanics of romance scams through undercover investigation and victim testimonies.

One central case involves Leslie Pickett, a mortgage lender from Louisiana, who was targeted by an individual impersonating rockstar Jon Bon Jovi. The scammer used a fake Instagram account to initiate contact, eventually moving the conversation to encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Through a process of ‘love bombing’ and emotional manipulation, the imposter convinced Pickett of a romantic connection, ultimately scamming her out of $10,000.

Van Zeller conducted an undercover operation using the alias ‘Mary Zell’ to engage with a scammer known as ‘Mark.’ The investigation highlights how scammers build trust through small talk and shared interests before escalating to financial exploitation.