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2 clusters · 8 sources · 30 days · First seen · Last updated

National Geographic investigation of romance scams

Overview

Journalist Mariana van Zeller is conducting an undercover investigation into the romance scam industry for a National Geographic documentary titled ‘Super Scam Me’. The investigation aims to expose the psychological manipulation and the use of generative AI by criminals, who reportedly stole over $1 billion from American victims in 2025.

Specific cases highlighted include a scammer impersonating a four-star general and an individual posing as rockstar Jon Bon Jovi to target a mortgage lender in Louisiana. The documentary details how scammers use ‘love bombing’ and encrypted messaging apps to build trust before escalating to financial exploitation.

Entities

Mariana van Zeller · National Geographic · Disney+ · Jon Bon Jovi · Hulu

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 2 sources
    National Geographic investigates romance scams in ‘Super Scam Me’

    National Geographic’s upcoming special ‘Super Scam Me’ investigates romance scams, featuring a case where an imposter posing as Jon Bon Jovi defrauded a fan of $10,000.

  2. [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Mariana van Zeller to expose romance scams in new documentary

    Journalist Mariana van Zeller goes undercover in the National Geographic documentary “Super Scam Me” to expose the $1 billion romance scam industry and its devastating impact on victims.

Sources

abc7.com · comingsoon.net · laughingplace.com · markets.businessinsider.com · series-80.net · tvinsider.com · vitalthrills.com · whatsondisneyplus.com