American Greed: The Fugitives Season 2 Episode 11 The Money Mules/Sweet Stink of Success

As crooks get increasingly crafty with their con schemes, American Greed: The Fugitives season 2 episode 11 dives into the world of "money mules" and the "sweet stink of success" they're after.

The episode opens with the story of one such money mule, 24-year-old Brianna Valleskey, who unsuspectingly laundered over $100,000 in stolen funds through her bank account. Valleskey was a broke college student struggling to make ends meet when she was recruited by a shady job listing on Craigslist. The ad promised a work-from-home position with promising pay. All she needed to do was receive money transfers into her account and immediately forward them to a third party. The job seemed harmless enough, so Valleskey jumped at the opportunity.

However, Valleskey soon realized all was not right when the transfers started escalating into the thousands of dollars, and her "boss" was evasive about the nature of the job. Before she knew it, IRS agents were knocking on her door, accusing her of being part of a massive fraud network that had scammed thousands of victims across the U.S. Valleskey was dumbfounded. She had no idea that the money transfers were proceeds from a phone scam that preyed on vulnerable seniors, tricking them into paying bogus fees for non-existent prizes and services.

Valleskey's story highlights the growing trend of money mule scams and how easy it is for unsuspecting individuals to get roped into dangerous schemes. In "The Money Mules/Sweet Stink of Success," American Greed: The Fugitives follows other similar cases and exposes the network of fraudsters who exploit people into laundering their ill-gotten gains.

The second story in the episode uncovers the shadowy world of synthetic fragrances. It seems like an unlikely topic for a true crime show, but American Greed reveals how some perfume makers are cutting corners, putting human lives at risk, and making millions in the process.

The story centers on fragrance maker Marian Bendeth, who risked everything to start her own business in the highly competitive fragrance market. Bendeth was good at what she did, creating new scents that captivated buyers' senses and stood out from others in the market. However, she soon found out that synthetic ingredients were the industry's dirty little secret.

Many fragrance producers use synthetic chemicals that mimic natural scents like rose, lavender, and jasmine because they are cheaper and easier to produce. However, these chemicals can be very harmful and pose health risks to humans, especially if applied to their skin or inhaled in large quantities. Despite the health risks, Bendeth discovered that many producers were not informing customers about the synthetic ingredients in their products, leading to false advertising claims and potential lawsuits.

As Bendeth delves deeper into the industry, she uncovers a knot of corruption, blackmail, and even assault. Her once-promising career is threatened as she fights to expose the industry's unethical practices and maintain her ethical values. Her story culminates in a dramatic courtroom trial, where Bendeth confronts her accusers and fights for justice.

As always, American Greed goes deep into the underbelly of American industry, exposing the dark side of greed, corruption, and deceit. In "The Money Mules/Sweet Stink of Success," the show brings to life two very different stories that show how far people will go for wealth and success at any cost. From money scams to synthetic fragrances, this episode illustrates how greed can twist even the most innocent of human desires, blinding us to the true cost of our actions. Yet amidst the darkness, there are still those who will fight back, stand up for what is right, and do everything in their power to ensure that justice is served.