Ep 33. Phony Rockefeller

In Dateline season 21 episode 33 titled "Phony Rockefeller," viewers are taken into the unbelievable story of a man who pretended to be a member of one of America's richest and most famous families.

The episode starts out with a flashback to 1985 when a man named Clark Rockefeller moved to the United States from Germany and quickly ingratiated himself with Boston's social elite. The camera shows viewers vintage footage of Clark rubbing elbows with the city's rich and famous. He's seen attending charity galas and can be seen schmoozing with business tycoons.

A former friend of Clark's, who is interviewed on the show, notes how convincing and charming Clark was. This witness, along with others, all seemed to be under Clark's spell.

The episode then cuts back to the present day where viewers learn that Clark Rockefeller was not actually a Rockefeller at all. In fact, he is a notorious conman whose real name is Christian Gerhartsreiter.

The show details how Gerhartsreiter preyed on wealthy and accomplished people by telling them that he was related to the famous Rockefeller family. He made many appearances in Boston society, posing as an eccentric art collector and bon vivant, said to be supporting himself via a substantial trust fund.

As the episode continues, viewers learn about some of Gerhartsreiter's various aliases. He went by many names, including Christopher Chichester, who was an alter ego he used in the years that followed after he fled Boston. Gerhartsreiter left Boston in the late 1990s, after unsuccessful attempts to secure a marriage and through his travels would work his way into various social circles, with a new backstory for each new city he visited. Gerhartsreiter's ability to weave elaborate lies is stunning and may have contributed to his success at fooling people.

This episode of Dateline goes beyond just Gerhartsreiter's big con, however. It also looks at the lasting effect of the con on the people he fooled, especially those whose lives were irreparably altered by his lies. We hear first hand from his ex-wife and others about the emotional toll that Gerhartsreiter's actions have had on their lives and livelihoods.

Many of Gerhartsreiter's past acquaintances, friends, and victims have since started to process what happened with him over the years. Viewers can see how this event has affected their perception of those around them and how easy it can be to fall for the charm of a "mystery man."

"Phony Rockefeller" is a classic true-crime story, with twists, turns, and surprises for the viewer. It is a cautionary tale of how easy it is to be beguiled by someone who presents themselves as charming and successful, but ultimately it’s about how we as humans have a need to feel connected and important, which can provide fertile ground for the seeds of deception.