American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 14 Episode 11 Burned By Greed

In this episode of American Greed, viewers are taken on a journey into the world of investment fraud and the disastrous consequences it can have on unsuspecting victims. The episode, entitled Burned by Greed, tells the story of a charismatic businessman named Jeff Spanier who used his charm and deceit to steal millions of dollars from investors.

Spanier promised his investors riches beyond their wildest dreams by investing in his renewable energy company. He painted a picture of a bright future where investors would reap the benefits of his advancements in clean energy technology while also doing their part to save the planet. These promises were a lie, and Spanier had no intention of delivering on his grandiose guarantees.

Spanier's elaborate scheme involved using funds from new investors to repay old investors, a classic example of a Ponzi scheme. He also used significant portions of investors' money to fund a lavish lifestyle filled with luxury cars, expensive trips, and pricey meals.

The episode introduces multiple victims, each impacted by Spanier's deceit in different ways. One victim is an elderly couple who invested their life savings into Spanier's company, only to watch it all disappear in a blink of an eye. Another is a small business owner who trusted Spanier's reputation and invested over $400,000, leaving her with nothing.

Spanier's fraud ultimately was uncovered when he started missing payments, and the angry investors began to complain. The FBI launched an investigation that led to Spanier's arrest.

The episode goes on to detail Spanier's court case and the justice that was served for his many victims. Spanier was sentenced to forty years in prison, an appropriate punishment for his heinous crimes against innocent people.

The Burned by Greed episode of American Greed is a cautionary tale for anyone considering investing their hard-earned money into a business venture. It highlights the dangers of fraud and the need for due diligence when investing.

American Greed is a true-crime documentary series that explores the world of corporate fraudsters and white-collar criminals. The series has been praised for its in-depth investigations and riveting storytelling. Each episode showcases the absurd lengths that scammers will go to steal money and the devastating impact their crimes have on those affected. The series has been running for fourteen seasons, and Burned by Greed is another strong episode in this acclaimed series.