Ep 15. An Ungodly Scammer

An Ungodly Scammer is the fifteenth episode of the twelfth season of American Greed. This episode delves into the story of a self-proclaimed prophet and his schemes to rob his followers of their life savings.

Kevin Trudeau, known for his infomercials promoting natural cures and weight loss programs, rose to fame in the late 90s. However, he was eventually found guilty of fraud and was banned from infomercials and other promotional activities. Despite this, he continued to attract followers who believed in his teachings and promises of financial gain.

Trudeau turned to religion and became a self-proclaimed prophet, using his newfound status to swindle his followers. He convinced them to invest in several of his business ventures, including a gold-buying company and a website selling energy drinks.

Trudeau promised high returns on these investments, but in reality, he was siphoning off the money for his personal use. He used the funds to finance his extravagant lifestyle, including a $10 million mansion in Switzerland and luxury cars.

His followers became concerned when they were not seeing the promised returns on their investments. Trudeau brushed off their concerns, claiming that the money was tied up in legal battles. However, it eventually became evident that Trudeau had no intention of returning their money.

Trudeau's scam eventually caught up with him and he was charged with contempt of court for violating his previous ban from promotional activity. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his fraud, where he remains to this day.

The episode also features interviews with several of Trudeau's former followers who lost their life savings to his scams. They share their emotions of anger and betrayal, recounting how they were lured in by Trudeau's promises of financial prosperity.

An Ungodly Scammer serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly trusting charismatic individuals who promise financial gain. It highlights the devastating effects of financial fraud on innocent victims who put their trust in the wrong people.