Scam Inc from The Economist

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Episodes

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A sophisticated, predatory, multi-billion dollar industry is emerging from the shadows. It already rivals the size of the illicit drug trade. And it’s about to get bigger and much more powerful.

The Economist’s Sue-Lin Wong follows a trail that starts with the collapse of a bank in rural Kansas to uncover a global, underground scam economy built around human trafficking, corruption and money laundering. Can it be stopped?

To listen to the full series subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.

Episodes

3. The bottom line

How do you run a scam operation?  Perks, recruitment, outsourcing and a monthly landscaping budget—this is Scam Inc. To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist , you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account....

Feb 06, 2025•38 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast

2. Opportunity of a lifetime

Who are the scammers? They're not who you think. To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist , you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account....

Feb 06, 2025•36 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast

1. Pigs in a barrel

You wouldn’t fall for a scam—would you? A small town in Kansas is left reeling after one of its best and brightest gets sucked in. To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist , you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account....

Feb 06, 2025•41 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast

Trailer: Scam Inc

A sophisticated, predatory, multi-billion dollar industry is emerging from the shadows. It already rivals the size of the illicit drug trade. And it’s about to get bigger and much more powerful.  The Economist ’s Sue-Lin Wong follows a trail that starts with the collapse of a bank in rural Kansas to uncover a global, underground scam economy built around human trafficking, corruption and money laundering. Can it be stopped? To listen to the full series subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ ....

Jan 23, 2025•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast