logo
episode-header-image
Jul 7
42m 39s

Phil Kitzer and the G Men | 166

Wondery
About this episode

Phil Kitzer was a globe-trotting scammer who spent more than a decade creating fake banks and insurance companies, ripping off customers to pay for his lavish lifestyle. By the late 70s, Phil’s scam is so prolific that the FBI authorizes the first-ever white collar undercover sting operation. Two young agents join Phil’s entourage and quickly get in way over their heads. With no undercover training, these two newbies scramble to keep up with one of the best con-men in the world without blowing their cover, and hopefully get enough evidence to put Phil away for good.

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Listen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Aug 18
ENCORE: George Santos: Putting the "Con" in Congress | 173
We’ll be back in two weeks with all-new Scamfluencers episodes. In the meantime, we’re returning to one of our favorites. It’s hard to know what to believe about George Santos’ wild origin story. Since being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022, almost every facet ... Show More
50m 1s
Aug 13
ENCORE: The Pop Star and the Power Broker: Part 2 | 172
As Erika Jayne’s pop star career blossoms, questions continue to mount about her husband Tom Girardi’s finances and his legal practice. His clients have been waiting in limbo to receive the settlement money owed to them, and they’re not the only ones getting angry with Tom. In th ... Show More
43m 51s
Aug 12
Business Wars Presents: The AOL-Time Warner Disaster
Think business is boring? What about when your streaming bill goes up, or your favorite restaurant files for bankruptcy? Do you ever wonder what’s going on behind the scenes? Business Wars gives you a front row seat to the biggest moments in business, to explain how they shape ou ... Show More
7m 15s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Buried Alive | The Elusive Gary Krist | 5
Atlanta-based journalist Steve Fennessy began researching Gary Steven Krist’s past for an article he was writing for Atlanta Magazine back in 2006. The assignment took him on a deep dive into Krist’s life, from his upbringing through the aftermath of one of the most notorious cri ... Show More
35m 13s
Jun 10
RuPaul: You Better Work (Encore) | 281
RuPaul is born feeling like an outsider. Rejection by his father and peers makes him doubt whether he’ll ever fit in. But instead of conforming, he doubles down and becomes a gender-bending punk musician.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendation ... Show More
49m 48s
Jul 21
How I Wonder What You Are | 6
As more maternity homes open across the country, Abbi, Zoe, and Toni join a growing chorus of women who are speaking out. And there’s one person in particular who Abbi and Nathan want to hear their story. Dr. Zoe Shaw’s book, “Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relations ... Show More
48m 3s
Mar 2025
This Will Be My Last Message | 4
Jella is determined to find a way to escape, while Charlie finds herself in a desperate situation. Both women seek help from a mysterious man in Bangkok. But working with him could mean Charlie's downfall.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendatio ... Show More
30m 36s
Oct 2024
Encore: Theranos | Are Venture Capitalists to Blame? | 4
Lindsay sits down with Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covers the tech industry. The two explore why venture capitalists work to create monopolies, and whether these powerful investors bear responsibility for the failures at Theranos.Need more American Sca ... Show More
35m 8s
Mar 2025
Negotiation with the Devil | 5
Charlie finally has a plan to save her brothers from the scam factory when she gets a chilling phone call. Now, she must race to rescue them before it’s too late.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wonder ... Show More
28m 32s
Dec 2024
Lou Pearlman: Pop Music Con Man | Behind the Hit Charade | 4
Journalist Tyler Gray was working in Orlando when he first heard about Lou Pearlman and his growing business empire. But it wasn’t until authorities apprehended Pearlman in Bali in 2007 that Gray began to investigate the story behind the man who created the boy bands NSYNC and Ba ... Show More
35m 25s
Mar 2025
Kara Swisher
This week on Reclaiming, we welcome renowned tech journalist and industry expert Kara Swisher. Kara offers a thoughtful prediction on the political landscape under Trump and Musk. She drops a provocative take on AI's gender problem and why she believes men are at the heart of it ... Show More
50m 30s
Mar 2025
No Escape | 6
Charlie's brothers attempt to escape. But can they ever really break free from the scam factory? And, more importantly, can Charlie? Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterFollow ... Show More
44m 29s