Watch Impostors

The show Impostors from Investigation Discovery premiered in 2014 and aired for one season consisting of six episodes. The show followed different cases of people who had deceived others by pretending to be someone they weren't. Each episode focused on a particular case, featuring interviews with the victims, law enforcement officials, and social psychologists.

Impostors aimed to explore the psychology behind why people feel the need to impersonate others, and why some individuals are more vulnerable to falling for these types of frauds. It also touched on how these cases can have devastating effects on the victims and their families.

The show started with the case of Paula Baniszewski, who impersonated her daughter's grieving mother after she passed away. Paula deceived the daughter's boyfriend, Woody, and her friends by portraying herself as the victim's mom to gain sympathy and financial support from them. The episode investigates how Baniszewski's actions not only impacted Woody but also touched the lives of the innocent individuals who were deceived by her deceitful acts.

Another episode delved into the story of a notorious impersonator, Clark Rockefeller. The episode revealed how Rockefeller deceived the high society of New York City for years while posing as a member of the ultra-wealthy Rockefeller family. Through years of practice, Rockefeller honed his con artist skills and charmed his wealthy circle to the point where nobody doubted his story.

Impostors also shows how some people impersonate professionals like doctors to gain access to the vulnerable patients. One episode shares the story of a woman who was deceived by a self-taught gynecologist practicing under a fake name, Dr. Berlyn Aussieahshowna. The episode goes into detail on how the fake doctor used his manipulative skills to deceive his patients and explains how he was finally caught.

The show also portrays how the internet has made it easier for individuals to pretend to be someone else. The episode, "Man of Many Faces," shows the story of a man who created multiple fake social media identities to scam people out of money. Impostors highlights how the perpetrator used his charm and fake online personas to manipulate people into trusting him.

In another episode, the show focuses on the effects that impersonation crimes can have on the victims, specifically highlighting how it impacts their mental health. The episode shares the story of a young woman who impersonated her best friend to steal her identity. The impersonation led to the victim, who had struggled with mental health issues in the past, being committed to a mental health institution.

Impostors wrapped up the first season by featuring the story of the longest-running impersonation case in the FBI's history. The episode delved into the story of William Walters, who impersonated a priest for over 20 years and duped unsuspecting parishioners into believing that he was a man of the cloth. The episode revealed how Walters' lies impacted the people around him and how law enforcement was finally able to catch him.

In conclusion, the show Impostors from Investigation Discovery explored different cases of people who disguised their true identity for financial gain, emotional connections, or power. The show offers an in-depth look at the psychological reasons behind these acts and how they can impact the victims. Despite running for only one season, Impostors remains a fascinating show for true crime and psychology enthusiasts alike.

Impostors is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (6 episodes). The series first aired on January 24, 2014.