American Greed

A dissection of the dark side of the American Dream, a survey of how far some people go to become rich, no matter the cost to themselves and those around them. Real-life cases are reviewed and involve such criminal activity as credit card scams, identity theft, counterfeiting and Ponzi schemes.

Type: tv

Season: 1

Episode: 1

Duration: 43m

Release: 2007

Rating: 8.1

Season 1 - American Greed
2007-06-21
"Case 1: Hook, Line and Sucker Barry Hunt\u2014a successful con artist who left a coast-to-coast trail of deception, deceit and empty bank accounts. A profile of Hunt\u2019s crime and the investors who bought his story.\n\nCase 2: Maxfield Parish Art Heist A daring heist. Under the cover of darkness, a hole is expertly cut in the roof. An alarm goes haywire. Two paintings by famed American Artist Maxfield Parrish disappear into the night."
2007-06-28
"Case 1: The Imposter: Dr. Barnes For twenty years he was an imposter doctor! Dr. Gerald Barnes has a thriving practice specializing in \"executive\" medical exams. His salary is six-figures and life is good. But there's a problem: he's not the real Dr. Gerald Barnes. Case 2: Interstate Bank Mart Bandit He leaves no clues behind, only a trail of broken dreams and empty bank accounts. Forty-three robberies in 20 months. The M.O. is always the same. Police say it's the work of one man: \"The Interstate Bank Mart Bandit!\"."
2007-07-05
"Case 1: Art Heist: Fine Arts Express A museum quality art collection worth more than $4 million dollars is stolen! Two men, who in a twist of fate, end up working at Fine Arts Express, together hatch a plan to steal the art\u2026 museum quality pieces by Picasso, Matisse, and Rothko.\n\nCase 2: Medical Scams: Dr. Martinez It sounds like a nightmare\u2014long needles repeatedly jabbed to a patient\u2019s back. But for Dr. Jorge Martinez, it's routine business. Expensive, painful and unnecessary shots are all part of a multi-million dollar billing scheme."
2007-07-12
"Case 1: Meth Identity Thieves It's a new crime wave rippling across the west; thieves are committing identity theft to fund their meth drug addictions. Victims are robbed. But the thief takes more than money, the victim's identity is stolen, too.\n\nCase 2: The Wheaton Bandit Wheaton, Illinois - considered a nice place to raise a family. But a shadow hangs over this affluent Chicago suburb. A serial bank robber is armed and ready for a fight."
2007-07-19
"Case 1: Religious Prey: Baptist Foundation of Arizona The Baptist Foundation of Arizona is a non-profit fundraiser dedicated to the church. Investors believe their money will be secure but millions are lost! \u201cAmerican Greed\" unravels the elaborate Ponzi scheme which left a religious community betrayed and baffled.\n\nCase 2: Medical Scams: Dr. Mikos The story of a murderous Chicago doctor who bilked Medicare! He\u2019s a caring doctor with a sterling bedside manner. His practice is lucrative. But beneath the charm lies a con artist; a doctor playing the system and making off with more than a million."
2007-07-26
"Case 1: Religious Prey: Greater Ministries International A story of religious fraud; a $500 million dollar pyramid scheme. Church founder Gerald Payne has a plan for the faithful to gift the church and double their money. American Greed profiles one of the most lucrative pyramid schemes in history. Case 2: It takes a Thief A thief leads a double life."
Season 2 - American Greed
Season 3 - American Greed
Season 4 - American Greed
Season 5 - American Greed
Season 6 - American Greed
Season 7 - American Greed
Season 8 - American Greed
Season 9 - American Greed
Season 10 - American Greed
Season 11 - American Greed
Season 12 - American Greed
Season 13 - American Greed
Season 14 - American Greed
Season 15 - American Greed
Season 16 - American Greed