Ep 1. Mr. & Mrs. Mortgage Fraud / Heartless Hedge Fund Manager

American Greed: The Fugitives explores the dark world of white-collar crime, where con artists and fraudsters manipulate individuals and businesses out of millions of dollars. In the first episode of season one, entitled "Mr. & Mrs. Mortgage Fraud/Heartless Hedge Fund Manager," viewers are introduced to two separate cases of financial fraud, both of which demonstrate the lengths that some people will go to in order to enrich themselves at the expense of others.

The first case features a married couple named Linda and Patrick Lovelace, who ran a successful mortgage company in Southern California. Through a combination of falsified loan applications, forged documents, and outright lies, the Lovelaces managed to swindle over $2.5 million from unsuspecting homeowners and investors. Their scheme finally unraveled when the FBI began to investigate, and the couple fled to Mexico in an attempt to evade capture.

The second case centers around a hedge fund manager named James Fry, who convinced his wealthy clients to invest millions of dollars into a risky venture capital fund. Despite promising high returns, Fry lost the majority of the money on ill-advised investments and personal expenses. When the fund collapsed, Fry was charged with multiple counts of fraud and sentenced to 17.5 years in prison.

Through interviews with law enforcement officials, victims, and experts in finance and law, American Greed: The Fugitives provides a detailed and compelling look at these complex and disturbing crimes. The show highlights the devastating impact that financial fraud can have on individuals, families, and communities, and underscores the need for vigilance in the face of greed and deception. With its sharp storytelling and insightful analysis, this episode sets the tone for a gripping series that will appeal to anyone interested in the intersection of finance, crime, and justice.