American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 12 Episode 11 Operation Crook, Line and Stinker

In season 12 episode 11 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals, titled "Operation Crook, Line and Stinker," viewers are taken through the investigation and eventual takedown of a large-scale fishing scam. The episode follows the story of Carlos Rafael, a colorful and charismatic figure in New Bedford, Massachusetts who built an empire out of his fishing business. Rafael's business, however, wasn't entirely legitimate - he would regularly misreport his catches and engage in other illegal practices to increase his profits.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Rafael and his business, showing how he built a reputation as a shrewd and successful businessman in the tight-knit fishing community of New Bedford. However, as the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that things are not all as they seem. Rafael is engaging in a practice known as "dumping," where he catches and reports lower-value fish in order to avoid paying fines or exceeding his quotas. He is also using fraudulent practices to secure loans from the government, lying about how much fish he has on hand in order to secure larger loans.

The investigation into Rafael's activities begins when a disgruntled employee tips off federal authorities about his illegal practices. From there, the episode follows the efforts of law enforcement officials to build a case against Rafael and his associates, using undercover agents and wiretaps to gather evidence. The investigation is complex and time-consuming, but ultimately leads to a series of dramatic arrests and raids.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a detailed look at the inner workings of Rafael's business, as well as the methods used by law enforcement officials to gather evidence against him. Interviewees including FBI agents, lawyers, and former associates of Rafael provide insight into the case and offer their thoughts on the nature of white-collar crime and the motivations of those who engage in it.

Overall, "Operation Crook, Line and Stinker" is a gripping and informative episode of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals. It provides an in-depth look at the fishing industry and the illegal practices that can go on within it, as well as offering an inside look into the investigative techniques used to take down a major fraudster. Fans of true crime and white-collar crime stories will find plenty to enjoy in this episode.