American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 1 Episode 6 Religious Prey: Greater Ministries Int'l/It takes a Thief

In this episode of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals, viewers are taken on a journey into the world of religious fraud, as the show explores the dark underbelly of unscrupulous pastors and church leaders who prey on their followers for personal gain.

The episode focuses on the case of Greater Ministries International, a Florida-based church that promised its members huge returns on their investments through a series of complex financial schemes. As investigators soon discovered, the church's promises were nothing more than a front for a massive Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of people out of millions of dollars.

Through interviews with former church members, undercover investigators, and financial experts, the episode reveals the lengths to which Greater Ministries International went to deceive its followers and lure them into investing their money into seemingly lucrative ventures. Viewers will learn about the inner workings of the church's financial system, which relied on a complex network of shell companies and offshore accounts to conceal its illegal activities from authorities.

The episode also examines the psychological tactics used by the church's leaders to manipulate their followers into handing over their life savings. Experts weigh in on the appeal of religious scams, which often prey on people's need for community and sense of purpose. Viewers will hear firsthand accounts from former church members who fell victim to Greater Ministries International's schemes, and the devastating effects the fraud had on their lives.

In addition to the story of Greater Ministries International, the episode also follows the case of convicted thief Robert Gaskill, who made a career out of stealing from wealthy homeowners in some of the country's most exclusive neighborhoods. Through interviews with law enforcement officials and Gaskill's victims, viewers will learn about the methods he used to infiltrate homes and steal valuable items, and the intense manhunt that led to his eventual capture and conviction.

Overall, this episode of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals is a gripping exploration of the darker side of faith and the human psyche, as well as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly trusting those who claim to have our best interests at heart.