# National Geographic investigation of romance scams

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/national-geographic-investigation-of-romance-scams
> Updated: 2026-10-15T15:35:07.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

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.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-15: 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 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-geographic-investigates-romance-scams-in-super-scam-me

### 2026-09-15: 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.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mariana-van-zeller-to-expose-romance-scams-in-new-documentary

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Cite as: National Geographic investigation of romance scams. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/national-geographic-investigation-of-romance-scams