American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 6 Episode 8 Money for Nothing/Hawaiian Punched: Fraud in Paradise

American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels, and Scandals season 6 episode 8, titled "Money for Nothing/Hawaiian Punched: Fraud in Paradise", delves into the world of fraud in a picturesque Hawaiian paradise. The episode portrays two separate scams that took place in Hawaii, with both scammers targeting tourists and local residents.

The first case focuses on a woman named Marcie Matson, who ran a company called Global Gateway Getaways. Matson advertised luxury Hawaiian vacation packages and made sales from eager tourists looking for the ultimate paradise experience. However, once tourists arrived in Hawaii, they were met with subpar accommodations and services that were not even close to what was promised. Matson was able to successfully scam over 200 people out of thousands of dollars, with many of them left penniless and stranded in Hawaii. Matson was eventually caught and faced years in prison for her fraudulent actions.

The second case centers around a man named Gary Modafferi, who moved to Hawaii after being released from prison for a previous fraud conviction. Modafferi started a new business called Hawaiian Punch Partners, which promised high returns for investments in Hawaiian real estate and agricultural ventures. Modafferi used his previous experience and charm to swindle investors, most of whom were local residents in Hawaii. However, all of Modafferi's land purchases were fraudulent, and he used investor money to finance his lavish lifestyle and pay off previous debts. Modafferi was eventually caught, but not before he had drained the bank accounts of investors, leaving many of them near financial ruin.

The episode also features interviews with law enforcement officials and victims of the scams, giving viewers a firsthand account of the devastation caused by these fraudsters. It also highlights the lack of regulation and oversight in some areas of the tourism and investment industry, leaving vulnerable people open to exploitation and scams.

"Money for Nothing/Hawaiian Punched: Fraud in Paradise" is a cautionary tale for anyone considering investing in or traveling to Hawaii. With beautiful scenery and endless possibilities, Hawaii may seem like a dream come true. However, the episode serves as a stark reminder to always do your due diligence and research before handing over your hard-earned money to anyone.