1
00:00:00,751 --> 00:00:02,044
DIRECTOR: Let me know
when you're ready,
2
00:00:02,044 --> 00:00:02,669
and we'll bring Mariana.
3
00:00:13,597 --> 00:00:15,307
(gunshots)
4
00:00:15,307 --> 00:00:17,935
(siren)
5
00:00:20,312 --> 00:00:22,356
MAN: To make money.
6
00:00:22,356 --> 00:00:23,357
MAN: To make money, make money.
7
00:00:23,357 --> 00:00:24,149
TWEETY: Fast money.
8
00:00:33,951 --> 00:00:35,035
MARIANA VAN ZELLER:
They're all Americans?
9
00:00:44,336 --> 00:00:44,962
MARIANA: Lonely?
10
00:00:52,594 --> 00:00:53,929
MARIANA:
So you, don't you feel bad?
11
00:01:01,770 --> 00:01:04,022
MARIANA: Jamaica, Israel,
12
00:01:04,022 --> 00:01:07,943
two capitals of
a multibillion‐dollar industry.
13
00:01:07,943 --> 00:01:12,030
Meet the voice on the other end
of that unrecognized number
14
00:01:12,030 --> 00:01:13,699
that won't stop calling you.
15
00:01:13,699 --> 00:01:15,158
MAN: Hello?
16
00:01:15,158 --> 00:01:28,505
♪ ♪
17
00:01:28,505 --> 00:01:31,425
MARK TITUS: Jamaicans, we are
the best at all that we do.
18
00:01:31,425 --> 00:01:33,218
MARIANA: This area is all
the tourist area, right?
19
00:01:33,218 --> 00:01:34,928
MARK: Yes.
20
00:01:34,928 --> 00:01:37,347
Last year, we had over four
million visitors to the island.
21
00:01:37,347 --> 00:01:40,726
Montego Bay is
the best tourist destination
22
00:01:40,726 --> 00:01:42,769
you can find in the world.
23
00:01:42,769 --> 00:01:44,354
MARIANA: Are you trying
to sell me on tourism?
24
00:01:44,354 --> 00:01:45,856
MARK: Oh, yes,
you can come at any time.
25
00:01:45,856 --> 00:01:46,857
MARIANA: Coming here
as a tourist?
26
00:01:46,857 --> 00:01:49,526
MARK: Oh, yes, come at any time.
27
00:01:49,526 --> 00:01:51,194
MARIANA: Jamaica.
28
00:01:51,194 --> 00:01:55,407
For most of the 1.5 million
Americans who visit every year,
29
00:01:55,407 --> 00:01:57,701
it mostly looks like this.
30
00:01:57,701 --> 00:02:02,331
♪ ♪
31
00:02:02,331 --> 00:02:06,251
Tourists like these
stay at all‐inclusive resorts
32
00:02:06,251 --> 00:02:09,463
like this one,
33
00:02:09,463 --> 00:02:12,466
and do this,
34
00:02:12,466 --> 00:02:14,426
which leads to this.
35
00:02:14,426 --> 00:02:34,488
♪ ♪
36
00:02:34,488 --> 00:02:38,450
Tourism is the backbone
of Jamaica's legal economy,
37
00:02:38,450 --> 00:02:43,455
and the resorts of Montego Bay
are the crown jewel.
38
00:02:43,455 --> 00:02:46,083
But step outside the walls
of your hotel,
39
00:02:46,083 --> 00:02:48,418
and it's a different story.
40
00:02:48,418 --> 00:02:51,046
MARK: Montego Bay is built
in a sort of strange way
41
00:02:51,046 --> 00:02:53,715
where you have a mix
of the very rich
42
00:02:53,715 --> 00:02:57,427
bordering communities
with extreme poverty.
43
00:02:57,427 --> 00:03:00,889
MARIANA: Mark Titus is
a journalist and former cop.
44
00:03:00,889 --> 00:03:03,058
He knows the areas
of Montego Bay
45
00:03:03,058 --> 00:03:05,686
that don't make it into
the tourist brochures.
46
00:03:05,686 --> 00:03:06,978
MAN: Welcome to Jamaica.
47
00:03:06,978 --> 00:03:08,605
(siren)
48
00:03:08,605 --> 00:03:10,232
NEWSCASTER: Day three
of the state of emergency
49
00:03:10,232 --> 00:03:11,316
in St. James...
50
00:03:11,316 --> 00:03:13,402
MARIANA: Two weeks
before I arrived,
51
00:03:13,402 --> 00:03:15,487
the governor here declared
a state of emergency.
52
00:03:21,993 --> 00:03:23,995
MARIANA: The area
surrounding Montego Bay,
53
00:03:23,995 --> 00:03:25,455
the tourist paradise,
54
00:03:25,455 --> 00:03:27,416
now has one of
the highest per capita
55
00:03:27,416 --> 00:03:28,417
murder rates in the world.
56
00:03:31,294 --> 00:03:34,256
NEWSCASTER: With an uptick
in crime in St. James...
57
00:03:34,256 --> 00:03:36,007
MARIANA: But what's causing
much of this violence
58
00:03:36,007 --> 00:03:37,968
isn't drugs or politics.
59
00:03:37,968 --> 00:03:39,636
It's a new hustle.
60
00:03:39,636 --> 00:03:40,429
What are the gangs fighting for?
61
00:03:44,933 --> 00:03:46,685
(siren)
62
00:03:46,685 --> 00:03:48,395
MARIANA: Lottery scams.
63
00:03:48,395 --> 00:03:51,022
You're probably familiar
with some version.
64
00:03:51,022 --> 00:03:53,191
You get a call saying
you won a lottery
65
00:03:53,191 --> 00:03:54,901
that you don't even
remember entering.
66
00:03:54,901 --> 00:03:59,197
MAN: You have won yourself
$7.5 million
67
00:03:59,197 --> 00:04:03,243
and a 2019
Mercedes‐Benz S‐Class.
68
00:04:03,243 --> 00:04:07,330
MAN: Uh, that's pretty exciting.
(laughs)
69
00:04:07,330 --> 00:04:08,540
MARIANA: All you need to do
to collect
70
00:04:08,540 --> 00:04:10,333
whatever they're promising‐‐
71
00:04:10,333 --> 00:04:13,003
your millions, your new car,
your new house‐‐
72
00:04:13,003 --> 00:04:14,921
is to send a processing fee.
73
00:04:19,676 --> 00:04:21,094
MARIANA: The prize is fake,
of course,
74
00:04:21,094 --> 00:04:23,305
but the fee you've been
conned into paying
75
00:04:23,305 --> 00:04:28,393
generates $300 million a year
for Jamaican scammers.
76
00:04:28,393 --> 00:04:30,103
MAN: We are scamming, scamming,
scamming, scamming.
77
00:04:37,277 --> 00:04:39,488
MARIANA: Scamming now
rivals the drug trade
78
00:04:39,488 --> 00:04:41,990
as a lucrative and violent
source of revenue
79
00:04:41,990 --> 00:04:43,366
for Jamaican gangs.
80
00:04:43,366 --> 00:04:47,621
(sirens)
81
00:04:47,621 --> 00:04:51,541
(man yelling)
82
00:04:51,541 --> 00:04:55,504
I wanted to understand what's
referred to here as "the game,"
83
00:04:55,504 --> 00:04:59,716
meet the players,
see how it's played.
84
00:04:59,716 --> 00:05:01,176
MARK: Word of wisdom‐‐
85
00:05:01,176 --> 00:05:03,762
enjoy Jamaica,
the best of Jamaica,
86
00:05:03,762 --> 00:05:04,888
but be careful.
87
00:05:08,683 --> 00:05:12,312
MARK: That mean an informer
giving information must die.
88
00:05:14,731 --> 00:05:16,608
MARIANA: Mark warned me
that it would be difficult
89
00:05:16,608 --> 00:05:19,277
to get people to talk
about the game,
90
00:05:19,277 --> 00:05:21,363
but the rise of scamming
can be measured
91
00:05:21,363 --> 00:05:24,950
in another popular aspect
of Jamaican culture.
92
00:05:24,950 --> 00:05:27,244
♪ Big money poppin' huh! ♪
93
00:05:27,244 --> 00:05:29,120
♪ Banga dem deh yah ♪
94
00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:30,789
♪ Dog, quenga dem deh yah ♪
95
00:05:30,789 --> 00:05:34,709
In a neighborhood called
Steer Town, I met with this man,
96
00:05:34,709 --> 00:05:37,254
local dancehall artist Xklusive.
97
00:05:37,254 --> 00:05:39,381
♪ Back to the party,
no stray me mind ♪
98
00:05:39,381 --> 00:05:41,424
♪ Some boy weh a talk,
real waste a time ♪
99
00:05:41,424 --> 00:05:43,093
♪ Nah pree dem... ♪
100
00:05:43,093 --> 00:05:44,886
So, what's happening here today?
What are you doing?
101
00:05:47,806 --> 00:05:50,392
MARIANA: He's the man behind
"Big Money Poppin',"
102
00:05:50,392 --> 00:05:53,395
the latest entry in
a growing musical subgenre,
103
00:05:53,395 --> 00:05:57,399
dancehall tracks that celebrate
the danger, easy money,
104
00:05:57,399 --> 00:06:02,904
and fast lifestyle associated
with scamming culture.
105
00:06:02,904 --> 00:06:05,240
What's the song about? What's
the general theme of the song?
106
00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:07,242
XKLUSIVE: It's about money.
107
00:06:07,242 --> 00:06:08,827
Money and what's going on.
108
00:06:08,827 --> 00:06:11,538
Scamming is going on.
Prostitution is going on.
109
00:06:11,538 --> 00:06:13,540
So, I sing about it
because it's going on.
110
00:06:13,540 --> 00:06:15,500
MARIANA: Can you sing it
a little bit for me?
111
00:06:15,500 --> 00:06:16,585
XKLUSIVE: Banga dem deh yah.
112
00:06:16,585 --> 00:06:18,295
♪ Banga dem deh yah ♪
113
00:06:18,295 --> 00:06:19,254
Scammer dem deh yah.
114
00:06:19,254 --> 00:06:20,839
♪ Quenga dem deh yah ♪
115
00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:22,465
MARIANA: And "scammers them
there" meaning scammers are...
116
00:06:22,465 --> 00:06:24,217
XKLUSIVE: Around, yeah,
they're around.
117
00:06:24,217 --> 00:06:26,261
MARIANA: Why did you decide
to write a song about scamming?
118
00:06:29,639 --> 00:06:31,892
MARIANA: I'd been warned
that this line of questioning
119
00:06:31,892 --> 00:06:33,435
might not go well.
120
00:06:33,435 --> 00:06:35,687
But there's a lot
of scamming in it.
121
00:06:35,687 --> 00:06:37,480
I mean, the word scamming
comes up a lot in the song...
122
00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:39,065
XKLUSIVE: No.
MARIANA: No?
123
00:06:39,065 --> 00:06:41,735
XKLUSIVE: You know, it's a song
that gets you hyped.
124
00:06:41,735 --> 00:06:44,195
Big! Money! Poppin'! Huh!
125
00:06:44,195 --> 00:06:46,489
♪ Big money poppin'
anywhere me go ♪
126
00:06:46,489 --> 00:06:48,491
MARIANA: I decide
not to push it.
127
00:06:48,491 --> 00:06:50,994
It's enough to know that
the man whose breakout hit
128
00:06:50,994 --> 00:06:56,333
became a scamming anthem doesn't
want to talk about scamming.
129
00:06:56,333 --> 00:06:58,335
♪ Cho man ♪
130
00:06:58,335 --> 00:07:00,754
♪ Di whole place done know
how di ting go man ♪
131
00:07:00,754 --> 00:07:03,506
♪ Xklusive a talk,
freezer to me heart ♪
132
00:07:03,506 --> 00:07:05,342
But that same night,
133
00:07:05,342 --> 00:07:08,386
I meet a man who says he knows
someone who can help.
134
00:07:10,722 --> 00:07:15,393
(horns honking)
135
00:07:15,393 --> 00:07:18,688
Which is how I wind up in a car
with a man I'll just call "V."
136
00:07:24,569 --> 00:07:26,112
MARIANA: Okay.
137
00:07:26,112 --> 00:07:28,448
V knows a lot about scamming,
but he's skittish as hell.
138
00:07:32,285 --> 00:07:33,870
MARIANA: Okay, make absolutely
sure we don't film his face
139
00:07:33,870 --> 00:07:35,205
or anything that identifies him.
140
00:07:42,587 --> 00:07:43,463
MARIANA: No, no, no, no, no.
141
00:07:48,426 --> 00:07:50,387
MARIANA: As it turns out,
V wants to take me
142
00:07:50,387 --> 00:07:53,181
for a little history lesson
of scamming in Jamaica.
143
00:07:53,181 --> 00:07:54,683
This complex all around us,
144
00:07:54,683 --> 00:07:56,810
these are all call centers
for American companies?
145
00:08:00,105 --> 00:08:02,732
MARIANA: It all starts here,
in call centers.
146
00:08:02,732 --> 00:08:06,695
(phones ringing)
147
00:08:06,695 --> 00:08:09,489
Call centers were set up
on the island to take advantage
148
00:08:09,489 --> 00:08:11,783
of the fact that
Jamaicans speak English.
149
00:08:11,783 --> 00:08:13,201
ANDREW: My name is Andrew,
150
00:08:13,201 --> 00:08:15,412
and I'm calling you
from the brand services.
151
00:08:15,412 --> 00:08:17,706
MARIANA:
And receive lower wages.
152
00:08:17,706 --> 00:08:20,375
MAN: This is in regards to
a few customers in Pasadena.
153
00:08:20,375 --> 00:08:22,293
MARIANA: But a few
local entrepreneurs
154
00:08:22,293 --> 00:08:24,587
saw another opportunity.
155
00:08:24,587 --> 00:08:28,091
The lists of names and phone
numbers used for telemarketing,
156
00:08:28,091 --> 00:08:30,927
political donations,
market research,
157
00:08:30,927 --> 00:08:37,183
and debt collection
can also be used for scamming.
158
00:08:37,183 --> 00:08:38,893
These "lead lists,"
as they're called,
159
00:08:38,893 --> 00:08:42,647
are the backbone of the game.
160
00:08:42,647 --> 00:08:45,066
They're valuable,
and here in Jamaica,
161
00:08:45,066 --> 00:08:46,985
they're bought and sold
underground.
162
00:08:46,985 --> 00:08:48,528
So, these are some of the places
163
00:08:48,528 --> 00:08:50,864
where they're getting the
contact lists and the names...
164
00:08:59,914 --> 00:09:02,167
MARIANA:
After earning V's trust,
165
00:09:02,167 --> 00:09:04,085
he tells me he can
introduce me to someone
166
00:09:04,085 --> 00:09:06,838
who has even more knowledge
about scamming.
167
00:09:09,132 --> 00:09:10,967
He leads me to
an abandoned house,
168
00:09:10,967 --> 00:09:13,553
far from the beaches
and tourists.
169
00:09:13,553 --> 00:09:19,684
♪ ♪
170
00:09:19,684 --> 00:09:20,685
(knocks)
171
00:09:20,685 --> 00:09:23,688
This is how I meet Tweety.
172
00:09:23,688 --> 00:09:26,357
Hi. Can I come in?
173
00:09:26,357 --> 00:09:28,777
I'm Mariana.
174
00:09:28,777 --> 00:09:29,736
MARIANA: Hi, Tweety.
Nice to meet you.
175
00:09:29,736 --> 00:09:30,820
TWEETY: Nice to meet you.
176
00:09:30,820 --> 00:09:34,324
MARIANA: Juliana? Nice nails!
177
00:09:34,324 --> 00:09:37,494
I'm greeted with weed
and even stronger rum.
178
00:09:40,330 --> 00:09:43,166
MARIANA: Tweety and her friend,
Juliana, not their real names,
179
00:09:43,166 --> 00:09:44,959
agree to talk to me
about the game.
180
00:09:47,128 --> 00:09:49,255
MARIANA: So what would happen
if they found out who you were,
181
00:09:49,255 --> 00:09:50,048
that you were doing this?
182
00:10:06,940 --> 00:10:08,316
MARIANA: By day, Tweety works
183
00:10:08,316 --> 00:10:09,984
at one of the many resorts
on the island.
184
00:10:09,984 --> 00:10:11,694
She wouldn't tell us which one,
185
00:10:11,694 --> 00:10:13,321
but says she makes in a month
186
00:10:13,321 --> 00:10:15,657
what tourists pay
for a one‐night stay.
187
00:10:26,543 --> 00:10:28,002
MARIANA: So what is it that
you do on the side, then?
188
00:10:32,674 --> 00:10:35,385
MARIANA: As it turns out,
the hospitality industry
189
00:10:35,385 --> 00:10:37,971
is great preparation
for scamming.
190
00:10:37,971 --> 00:10:39,889
All day long,
Tweety is interacting
191
00:10:39,889 --> 00:10:41,391
with mostly American clients.
192
00:10:45,687 --> 00:10:48,314
MARIANA: Then, after hours,
in her free time,
193
00:10:48,314 --> 00:10:50,441
Tweety opens up her lead list.
194
00:10:50,441 --> 00:10:53,319
Names, numbers, and addresses
in the United States? America?
195
00:10:55,446 --> 00:10:56,823
MARIANA: Big money popping?
196
00:11:01,327 --> 00:11:02,829
MARIANA: No disrespect taken.
197
00:11:02,829 --> 00:11:05,331
Tweety doesn't want to
show me her lead lists.
198
00:11:05,331 --> 00:11:07,876
They're closely guarded
here in Jamaica.
199
00:11:07,876 --> 00:11:10,295
But after a little more
rum and smoke,
200
00:11:10,295 --> 00:11:14,257
she and her friend Juliana
loosen up and show me her rap.
201
00:11:36,279 --> 00:11:37,322
MARIANA: You're really good
with the accent.
202
00:11:37,322 --> 00:11:39,115
(laughs)
203
00:11:39,115 --> 00:11:43,912
You're probably thinking,
how does anyone fall for this?
204
00:11:43,912 --> 00:11:46,080
But there's a definite
profile of a victim
205
00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:47,373
that Tweety has identified.
206
00:12:00,345 --> 00:12:01,804
MARIANA: Are they all
older people?
207
00:12:18,988 --> 00:12:20,240
MARIANA: To send you the money?
208
00:12:38,758 --> 00:12:40,093
(chuckles)
209
00:12:40,093 --> 00:12:42,971
MARIANA: Brash,
unrepentant, cold‐‐
210
00:12:42,971 --> 00:12:44,430
that's how Tweety sounds
211
00:12:44,430 --> 00:12:48,434
when talking about stealing
from lonely old people.
212
00:12:48,434 --> 00:12:50,311
But her posture quickly changes
213
00:12:50,311 --> 00:12:53,773
when she tells me how
she first got into scamming.
214
00:13:44,449 --> 00:13:45,408
MARIANA:
With the state of emergency
215
00:13:45,408 --> 00:13:48,661
driving most scammers
further underground,
216
00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:52,582
I was grateful for the chance
to meet Tweety.
217
00:13:52,582 --> 00:13:55,543
But the crazy thing about my job
is that one minute,
218
00:13:55,543 --> 00:13:58,546
you find yourself trying
to understand a scammer,
219
00:13:58,546 --> 00:14:00,548
and the next, you're with
the people charged
220
00:14:00,548 --> 00:14:02,258
with hunting them down.
221
00:14:02,258 --> 00:14:03,301
CHIEF: Alright, everybody here?
222
00:14:07,513 --> 00:14:08,681
CHIEF: We'll be
searching and seizing
223
00:14:08,681 --> 00:14:10,516
all electronic devices‐‐
224
00:14:10,516 --> 00:14:13,686
laptops, cell phones,
magicJacks, banking documents.
225
00:14:18,524 --> 00:14:20,109
CHIEF: We should be
on high alert
226
00:14:20,109 --> 00:14:23,071
just in case the target
chooses to shoot his way out.
227
00:14:23,071 --> 00:14:28,493
(radio chatter)
228
00:14:28,493 --> 00:14:32,371
(siren)
229
00:14:41,506 --> 00:14:43,966
MARIANA: Lottery scams have led
to violence in Jamaica
230
00:14:43,966 --> 00:14:47,095
and caused untold damage abroad.
231
00:14:47,095 --> 00:14:49,138
In almost every corner
of America,
232
00:14:49,138 --> 00:14:53,893
you can find news stories
of those targeted.
233
00:14:53,893 --> 00:14:56,395
NEWSCASTER: It's a crime that
preys on the most vulnerable
234
00:14:56,395 --> 00:14:59,649
and the victims often lose
their entire life savings.
235
00:14:59,649 --> 00:15:01,734
MARIANA: It's no secret
that these scammers
236
00:15:01,734 --> 00:15:03,653
go after older Americans.
237
00:15:03,653 --> 00:15:05,613
MAN: It was the great
American dream
238
00:15:05,613 --> 00:15:09,033
to win some money
where you could retire.
239
00:15:09,033 --> 00:15:10,660
MARIANA: Their methods
can be ruthless.
240
00:15:17,208 --> 00:15:19,127
MARIANA: The results? Tragic.
241
00:15:19,127 --> 00:15:20,419
NEWSCASTER: After being asked
for yet another
242
00:15:20,419 --> 00:15:23,464
1,500 more dollars
to claim his prize,
243
00:15:23,464 --> 00:15:27,844
Poland put a gun to his head
and killed himself.
244
00:15:27,844 --> 00:15:30,888
MARIANA: As a result of
awful stories like these,
245
00:15:30,888 --> 00:15:34,809
the US government has partnered
with this task force.
246
00:15:34,809 --> 00:15:36,602
So once you enter the community,
247
00:15:36,602 --> 00:15:38,104
it's already
sort of a risk, right?
248
00:15:38,104 --> 00:15:39,021
CHIEF: Right.
249
00:15:43,276 --> 00:15:44,735
CHIEF: So we have to get there
as quickly as possible.
250
00:15:44,735 --> 00:15:46,320
(horn beeps)
251
00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:49,157
(radio chatter)
252
00:15:49,157 --> 00:15:52,869
MARIANA: Okay,
we're here, we're here.
253
00:15:52,869 --> 00:15:55,913
Don't get out of the car.
254
00:15:55,913 --> 00:15:57,540
Wow.
255
00:15:57,540 --> 00:15:59,500
He's got his gun pointed
right at the door.
256
00:15:59,500 --> 00:16:01,669
(dog barking)
257
00:16:04,505 --> 00:16:05,798
(howls)
258
00:16:05,798 --> 00:16:07,425
(bark)
259
00:16:07,425 --> 00:16:13,598
♪ ♪
260
00:16:13,598 --> 00:16:16,184
(clicks tongue)
261
00:16:16,184 --> 00:16:18,352
(dog howls)
262
00:16:18,352 --> 00:16:20,438
(bark)
263
00:16:20,438 --> 00:16:21,647
(clink)
264
00:16:21,647 --> 00:16:23,149
(banging)
265
00:16:23,149 --> 00:16:24,275
They just broke into the house
266
00:16:24,275 --> 00:16:25,943
through the side door
right here.
267
00:16:25,943 --> 00:16:28,654
CHIEF: Come, come, come here.
268
00:16:28,654 --> 00:16:32,617
(indistinct talking)
269
00:16:32,617 --> 00:16:33,951
Hello, hello, hello, hello,
hello, hello, hello, hello,
270
00:16:33,951 --> 00:16:35,661
hello, hello, hello, hello.
271
00:16:35,661 --> 00:16:38,789
Sir, sir, sir,
sir, sir, sir, relax.
272
00:16:38,789 --> 00:16:40,708
Yeah, man, sit down,
sit down, sit down.
273
00:16:45,296 --> 00:16:48,216
CHIEF: We are searching for
lottery scamming paraphernalia,
274
00:16:48,216 --> 00:16:52,553
credit cards, credit card
burners, those type of things.
275
00:16:52,553 --> 00:16:54,680
(radio chatter)
276
00:17:00,061 --> 00:17:00,895
MARIANA: You think
this is real gold?
277
00:17:00,895 --> 00:17:01,896
CHIEF: Yeah, man.
278
00:17:01,896 --> 00:17:03,397
MARIANA: The Rolex.
279
00:17:03,397 --> 00:17:05,691
This is also a Rolex.
You see this a lot?
280
00:17:05,691 --> 00:17:08,486
CHIEF: For larger scammers,
yes, yes.
281
00:17:08,486 --> 00:17:18,079
♪ ♪
282
00:17:18,079 --> 00:17:20,623
That's a brand new car.
283
00:17:20,623 --> 00:17:23,668
This is evidence that this
young man tried to destroy it
284
00:17:23,668 --> 00:17:25,086
when the police tried to enter.
285
00:17:25,086 --> 00:17:25,962
MARIANA: Was it
submerged underwater?
286
00:17:28,089 --> 00:17:30,132
MARIANA: Wow. So it actually
has somebody's name,
287
00:17:30,132 --> 00:17:32,510
and you can see this whole
conversation that they had,
288
00:17:32,510 --> 00:17:34,470
and it says,
"Welcome, Miss (bleep).
289
00:17:34,470 --> 00:17:38,224
Your account balance
is $17,500,000.
290
00:17:38,224 --> 00:17:41,310
You are subjected to pay
the authorization fee
291
00:17:41,310 --> 00:17:45,523
totaling 120,000
as soon as possible."
292
00:17:45,523 --> 00:17:48,442
And they're promising that they
will receive over $17 million.
293
00:17:57,076 --> 00:17:58,703
CHIEF: What we see here
is a lot of cans
294
00:17:58,703 --> 00:18:01,372
that they use to practice Obeah.
295
00:18:01,372 --> 00:18:02,373
MARIANA: This one
is actually called
296
00:18:02,373 --> 00:18:03,624
the Million Dollar Spray.
297
00:18:03,624 --> 00:18:04,625
CHIEF:
Million Dollar Spray, right.
298
00:18:04,625 --> 00:18:05,960
MARIANA: Means if you spray it,
299
00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:07,044
you're gonna be blessed
with a million dollars.
300
00:18:07,044 --> 00:18:08,379
CHIEF: They believe,
they believe so.
301
00:18:08,379 --> 00:18:10,006
MARIANA: Wow.
Some of these are incredible.
302
00:18:10,006 --> 00:18:13,593
Look at this one.
Famous Double Fast Luck Spray.
303
00:18:13,593 --> 00:18:16,804
CHIEF: This one is called
Bring Back Customers.
304
00:18:16,804 --> 00:18:18,180
MARIANA: The state of emergency
305
00:18:18,180 --> 00:18:21,350
led to an uptick of arrests
like these.
306
00:18:21,350 --> 00:18:23,894
Some of the bigger players
have even been extradited
307
00:18:23,894 --> 00:18:26,647
to face justice
in the United States.
308
00:18:30,359 --> 00:18:34,155
All in all, it's a tense time
to be a scammer in Jamaica,
309
00:18:34,155 --> 00:18:38,868
which isn't making it any easier
for me to meet more of them.
310
00:18:38,868 --> 00:18:41,203
(horn honking)
311
00:18:41,203 --> 00:18:44,415
But then I was invited
to meet a local boss,
312
00:18:44,415 --> 00:18:48,711
a man who runs
a crew of scammers.
313
00:18:48,711 --> 00:18:51,464
We arrange to meet
at a hillside hideout,
314
00:18:51,464 --> 00:18:55,259
only a few miles from
Jamaica's rum‐soaked resorts.
315
00:18:55,259 --> 00:19:06,479
♪ ♪
316
00:19:06,479 --> 00:19:10,399
Looks like a bunch of guys
with masks waiting for us.
317
00:19:10,399 --> 00:19:11,609
MAN: Okay.
318
00:19:11,609 --> 00:19:12,902
MARIANA: I can't tell
if they're armed or not,
319
00:19:12,902 --> 00:19:16,572
but we should probably go.
320
00:19:16,572 --> 00:19:19,825
(car beeping)
321
00:19:25,915 --> 00:19:27,375
Hi.
322
00:19:31,337 --> 00:19:33,506
Okay.
323
00:19:33,506 --> 00:19:34,799
All good?
324
00:19:34,799 --> 00:19:37,134
This is the microphone.
325
00:19:37,134 --> 00:19:39,178
As we approach the meeting spot,
326
00:19:39,178 --> 00:19:44,725
it's clear the boss
isn't taking any chances.
327
00:19:44,725 --> 00:19:47,395
So, we keep going this way?
328
00:19:47,395 --> 00:19:59,031
♪ ♪
329
00:19:59,031 --> 00:20:00,991
MARIANA: Hi.
330
00:20:00,991 --> 00:20:02,368
I'm Mariana.
331
00:20:02,368 --> 00:20:04,286
What would you like me
to call you?
332
00:20:06,580 --> 00:20:09,125
MARIANA: Viktor? Okay.
Can I ask you what the G is for?
333
00:20:13,629 --> 00:20:14,505
MARIANA:
So you're proud of that?
334
00:20:16,215 --> 00:20:17,925
MARIANA: Can I put a mic
on you, Viktor?
335
00:20:23,764 --> 00:20:25,141
MARIANA: You wouldn't like it
if it was a man doing this?
336
00:20:29,353 --> 00:20:30,938
MARIANA: Okay, thank you.
337
00:20:33,274 --> 00:20:35,860
MARIANA: I'm ready, Viktor.
338
00:20:35,860 --> 00:20:39,697
MARIANA: So these guys, we are
surrounded by one, two, three,
339
00:20:39,697 --> 00:20:41,532
at least three that
I can see, three guys.
340
00:20:45,244 --> 00:20:46,871
MARIANA: What guns are
used to protect?
341
00:20:58,174 --> 00:20:59,759
MARIANA: So what do you do,
Viktor?
342
00:21:06,348 --> 00:21:08,309
MARIANA: How long have you been
in the money game for?
343
00:21:20,404 --> 00:21:22,031
MARIANA: Do you remember
the first time you did it?
344
00:21:35,169 --> 00:21:38,130
MARIANA: Since those early days,
Viktor has risen to become
345
00:21:38,130 --> 00:21:40,633
what he describes
as a midlevel boss.
346
00:21:40,633 --> 00:21:43,427
How has the state of emergency
affected you guys?
347
00:21:48,641 --> 00:21:49,266
MARIANA: Really?
348
00:21:52,728 --> 00:21:54,522
MARIANA: 200 people
working for you?
349
00:21:54,522 --> 00:21:55,523
No way.
350
00:21:58,275 --> 00:22:01,028
MARIANA: Behind all the swagger
is a young man
351
00:22:01,028 --> 00:22:04,323
who says he grew up
on the rough side of Montego Bay
352
00:22:04,323 --> 00:22:05,741
with very few options.
353
00:22:18,671 --> 00:22:21,382
MARIANA: In other words,
reparations.
354
00:22:21,382 --> 00:22:24,635
The idea that scamming
white people is payback
355
00:22:24,635 --> 00:22:28,055
for a brutal history
of slavery and colonialism.
356
00:22:28,055 --> 00:22:31,141
It's a justification that
I heard from Tweety as well.
357
00:22:31,141 --> 00:22:32,643
It's also the title of perhaps
358
00:22:32,643 --> 00:22:35,563
the biggest scammer anthem
of them all.
359
00:22:35,563 --> 00:22:37,356
♪ Dem call it scam ♪
360
00:22:37,356 --> 00:22:39,191
♪ Me call it a reparation ♪
361
00:22:51,954 --> 00:22:54,373
MARIANA: Have you ever had to
hurt anyone because of scamming?
362
00:23:10,639 --> 00:23:11,974
MARIANA: Wait, you were thinking
of taking our cameras
363
00:23:11,974 --> 00:23:13,684
and robbing us?
364
00:23:24,403 --> 00:23:29,283
♪ ♪
365
00:23:29,283 --> 00:23:30,659
MARIANA: You were thinking
of taking our cameras
366
00:23:30,659 --> 00:23:31,452
and robbing us?
367
00:23:35,664 --> 00:23:36,749
MARIANA: Okay.
368
00:23:42,463 --> 00:23:44,256
MARIANA: I don't know
how to feel about this.
369
00:23:47,593 --> 00:23:48,761
MARIANA: Thank you, Viktor.
370
00:23:51,513 --> 00:23:54,016
MARIANA: Do you think there's
more money being made through,
371
00:23:54,016 --> 00:23:56,644
by scamming than
in the drug business here?
372
00:24:19,792 --> 00:24:21,335
MARIANA: Over the next
several days,
373
00:24:21,335 --> 00:24:23,963
I meet with a handful
of other scammers,
374
00:24:23,963 --> 00:24:26,090
and they're all
full of surprises.
375
00:24:26,090 --> 00:24:28,801
So first question is,
why these masks?
376
00:24:31,845 --> 00:24:32,972
MARIANA: You're a fan
of Donald Trump?
377
00:24:40,145 --> 00:24:41,480
MARIANA: The Trump twins
are actually
378
00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:45,067
college‐educated brothers.
379
00:24:45,067 --> 00:24:47,486
Another woman I meet
had turned to scamming
380
00:24:47,486 --> 00:24:50,072
when she couldn't make enough
money as a hairstylist
381
00:24:50,072 --> 00:24:51,407
to raise her four kids.
382
00:24:56,996 --> 00:24:58,664
MARIANA: What fascinates me most
383
00:24:58,664 --> 00:25:02,001
are the day‐to‐day details
of their work.
384
00:25:02,001 --> 00:25:05,504
Every day you call 284 people?
385
00:25:05,504 --> 00:25:08,382
MARIANA: At its heart,
scamming is a sales job.
386
00:25:08,382 --> 00:25:12,553
Only a tiny percentage of calls
are going to generate cash.
387
00:25:12,553 --> 00:25:14,304
Of those people that you call,
how many of them...
388
00:25:20,352 --> 00:25:21,937
MARIANA: So volume is key.
389
00:25:21,937 --> 00:25:23,605
Okay, so it's an Excel sheet,
390
00:25:23,605 --> 00:25:25,983
and the Excel sheet
is called "Client."
391
00:25:25,983 --> 00:25:30,738
So there's a Nancy, Clarissa,
Rhonda, Paula, Alice, Chad.
392
00:25:30,738 --> 00:25:32,364
Just saying the first names,
just first names.
393
00:25:33,824 --> 00:25:35,451
MARIANA: (bleep). This is crazy.
394
00:25:35,451 --> 00:25:39,163
So, wait, we're at 4,500
and I'm still scrolling.
395
00:25:39,163 --> 00:25:42,958
Much like sales, it helps to
know how to close the deal, too.
396
00:25:42,958 --> 00:25:45,544
This man, who says
he's made millions scamming,
397
00:25:45,544 --> 00:25:48,255
has a special trick
after telling his marks
398
00:25:48,255 --> 00:25:49,631
that they've won a Mercedes.
399
00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:59,141
MARIANA: You actually send a key
to, like, a fake Mercedes?
400
00:25:59,141 --> 00:26:01,643
MARIANA: The best scammers
are relentless,
401
00:26:01,643 --> 00:26:03,437
but they're also intuitive,
402
00:26:03,437 --> 00:26:06,690
quickly assessing what the voice
on the other line really wants.
403
00:26:25,667 --> 00:26:28,170
MARIANA: With little more than a
burner phone and some gumption,
404
00:26:28,170 --> 00:26:30,798
scammers can reach across oceans
405
00:26:30,798 --> 00:26:34,718
and wreak havoc on the lives
of ordinary people.
406
00:26:34,718 --> 00:26:37,638
Welcome to the dark side
of globalization.
407
00:26:44,645 --> 00:26:47,397
Half a world away,
I was about to get a glimpse
408
00:26:47,397 --> 00:26:50,067
of an even more lucrative
type of scamming.
409
00:26:56,156 --> 00:26:57,991
While scamming in Jamaica
brings in
410
00:26:57,991 --> 00:27:00,869
hundreds of millions
of dollars a year,
411
00:27:00,869 --> 00:27:04,998
scamming in Israel is reported
to bring in billions.
412
00:27:07,251 --> 00:27:09,086
I want to know how it works.
413
00:27:09,086 --> 00:27:10,712
(clapping)
414
00:27:10,712 --> 00:27:12,673
What's happening?
415
00:27:12,673 --> 00:27:14,883
You can see him?
416
00:27:14,883 --> 00:27:16,927
Okay. Everyone ready?
417
00:27:16,927 --> 00:27:20,347
He's driving up, guys.
418
00:27:20,347 --> 00:27:23,308
So, I arranged to meet with
a man who was described to me
419
00:27:23,308 --> 00:27:27,062
as a big player in
the scamming industry.
420
00:27:27,062 --> 00:27:28,313
I'm told he's made a fortune
421
00:27:28,313 --> 00:27:30,691
running various
investment companies,
422
00:27:30,691 --> 00:27:35,362
all of which specialize
in financial fraud.
423
00:27:35,362 --> 00:27:40,158
I was also told
to be very careful.
424
00:27:40,158 --> 00:27:41,785
MARIANA: Hi.
MOSHIKO: Hello.
425
00:27:41,785 --> 00:27:44,580
MARIANA: Thank you so much
for meeting us. I'm Mariana.
426
00:27:44,580 --> 00:27:45,873
Moshiko.
427
00:27:45,873 --> 00:27:47,499
I do.
428
00:27:47,499 --> 00:27:49,501
Okay.
429
00:27:49,501 --> 00:27:50,544
So you're gonna turn it off?
430
00:27:51,879 --> 00:27:52,838
Okay.
431
00:27:56,174 --> 00:27:59,344
I've interviewed hundreds
of people through the years.
432
00:27:59,344 --> 00:28:02,639
Moshiko is the first
to ever take away my phone.
433
00:28:06,310 --> 00:28:09,730
I ask him to give me
the scammers tour of Tel Aviv.
434
00:28:25,412 --> 00:28:26,955
MARIANA: In a lot
of these buildings
435
00:28:26,955 --> 00:28:29,374
that look completely legitimate,
there's actually all this...
436
00:28:37,716 --> 00:28:39,509
MARIANA: Is it an open secret?
You seem to know.
437
00:28:39,509 --> 00:28:41,762
Do people in Tel Aviv
and Israel know?
438
00:28:53,106 --> 00:28:54,608
MARIANA: How many
of these companies,
439
00:28:54,608 --> 00:28:56,902
fraudulent scamming companies
do you think there are?
440
00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:00,280
MARIANA: Yeah.
441
00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:01,281
No way.
442
00:29:02,741 --> 00:29:04,034
Holy (bleep).
443
00:29:04,034 --> 00:29:05,577
(Moshiko chuckles)
444
00:29:05,577 --> 00:29:09,206
While the lottery scam
in Jamaica is the go‐to con,
445
00:29:09,206 --> 00:29:13,001
in Israel, it's all about
the investment scam.
446
00:29:13,001 --> 00:29:15,212
The depth of this fraud
was first uncovered
447
00:29:15,212 --> 00:29:18,215
by Simona Weinglass,
an investigative journalist
448
00:29:18,215 --> 00:29:20,008
who was tipped off by a source
449
00:29:20,008 --> 00:29:22,135
working at
a scam investment company.
450
00:29:22,135 --> 00:29:23,845
SIMONA WEINGLASS: He told me
that there wasn't just
451
00:29:23,845 --> 00:29:25,764
one company like this,
but there were hundreds,
452
00:29:25,764 --> 00:29:27,516
and they were stealing
billions of dollars.
453
00:29:27,516 --> 00:29:30,769
It sounded crazy,
and it turned out to be true.
454
00:29:30,769 --> 00:29:33,855
MARIANA: Just like in Jamaica,
Simona says the investment scams
455
00:29:33,855 --> 00:29:37,901
in Israel often start with
call centers and lead lists.
456
00:29:37,901 --> 00:29:40,904
Employees at these seemingly
legitimate companies
457
00:29:40,904 --> 00:29:42,781
cold call potential clients
458
00:29:42,781 --> 00:29:46,243
and get them to invest in
an exciting trading opportunity.
459
00:29:46,243 --> 00:29:47,619
SIMONA: You start to trade,
460
00:29:47,619 --> 00:29:49,454
you'll see your account
going up and up,
461
00:29:49,454 --> 00:29:51,415
the retention agent
will keep talking to you
462
00:29:51,415 --> 00:29:53,333
and getting you to put
more and more money in,
463
00:29:53,333 --> 00:29:55,627
and then eventually,
when they sense
464
00:29:55,627 --> 00:29:57,671
that you're not going
to put any more money in,
465
00:29:57,671 --> 00:29:59,673
they just disappear
with the money.
466
00:30:06,096 --> 00:30:09,224
MARIANA: Josh, you work
for a company,
467
00:30:09,224 --> 00:30:11,727
getting clients and lying
to clients and scamming clients?
468
00:30:11,727 --> 00:30:13,437
JOSH: Yes.
469
00:30:13,437 --> 00:30:15,439
MARIANA: I found one of these
agents who was willing
470
00:30:15,439 --> 00:30:18,900
to talk to me if we agreed
not to reveal his identity.
471
00:30:18,900 --> 00:30:20,527
We'll call him Josh.
472
00:30:20,527 --> 00:30:21,737
Where do you find the clients?
How do you...
473
00:30:32,831 --> 00:30:35,917
MARIANA: They catch them with
ads and websites like this
474
00:30:35,917 --> 00:30:39,337
that look like legitimate and
professional trading platforms
475
00:30:39,337 --> 00:30:43,258
and often promise
easy trading and profits.
476
00:30:43,258 --> 00:30:46,845
You convince these people
to invest with you,
477
00:30:46,845 --> 00:30:50,057
and then after they give you
the money that you want,
478
00:30:50,057 --> 00:30:51,058
you sort of disappear?
479
00:30:51,058 --> 00:30:52,392
JOSH: We actually
don't disappear.
480
00:30:52,392 --> 00:30:53,685
We work with them for a while.
481
00:30:58,315 --> 00:31:00,067
MARIANA: At any point,
is that money actually invested
482
00:31:00,067 --> 00:31:01,109
in anything or is that money...
483
00:31:01,109 --> 00:31:02,486
JOSH: No.
484
00:31:02,486 --> 00:31:06,573
MARIANA: So it's all a lie?
JOSH: Yeah.
485
00:31:06,573 --> 00:31:08,658
SIMONA: The money was never
in your account to begin with,
486
00:31:08,658 --> 00:31:10,202
there never was an account.
487
00:31:10,202 --> 00:31:13,580
This company was probably
not where they said it was.
488
00:31:13,580 --> 00:31:15,999
MARIANA: Josh works
in one popular version
489
00:31:15,999 --> 00:31:20,045
of an investment scam, which is
often sold as a binary option.
490
00:31:20,045 --> 00:31:22,964
Not all binary options trading
is fraudulent,
491
00:31:22,964 --> 00:31:25,801
and the scam version itself
runs the spectrum
492
00:31:25,801 --> 00:31:27,844
from misleading investors
493
00:31:27,844 --> 00:31:31,389
to the outright theft that
Josh and Simona describe.
494
00:31:31,389 --> 00:31:34,559
But binary options fraud
became so pervasive,
495
00:31:34,559 --> 00:31:36,853
that both the Security
and Exchange Commission
496
00:31:36,853 --> 00:31:41,316
and the FBI were forced to issue
warnings to investors.
497
00:31:41,316 --> 00:31:42,818
And over the past year alone,
498
00:31:42,818 --> 00:31:45,487
the U. S. Justice Department
has charged
499
00:31:45,487 --> 00:31:48,156
at least 15
binary option agents.
500
00:31:48,156 --> 00:31:49,741
Around the globe,
501
00:31:49,741 --> 00:31:54,621
Israeli scammers have
allegedly stolen billions.
502
00:31:54,621 --> 00:31:56,414
Do you ever feel guilty
about what you do?
503
00:31:56,414 --> 00:31:58,041
JOSH: Yes.
504
00:31:58,041 --> 00:32:01,419
I hardly sleep.
505
00:32:01,419 --> 00:32:03,130
My soul is, like, telling me,
506
00:32:03,130 --> 00:32:05,882
fighting against what I'm doing,
on my actions.
507
00:32:05,882 --> 00:32:06,967
MARIANA: On one occasion,
508
00:32:06,967 --> 00:32:09,344
Josh claims he was
so racked by guilt
509
00:32:09,344 --> 00:32:12,931
at how much money he'd already
stolen from a Canadian client
510
00:32:12,931 --> 00:32:15,058
that he actually called
the authorities
511
00:32:15,058 --> 00:32:18,937
to prevent the client from
transferring any more money.
512
00:32:18,937 --> 00:32:20,063
And did anyone find out
that you did that?
513
00:32:20,063 --> 00:32:21,731
JOSH: No.
514
00:32:21,731 --> 00:32:23,400
MARIANA: What would have
happened to you if they did?
515
00:32:23,400 --> 00:32:25,527
JOSH: I will have not been
sitting here right now.
516
00:32:25,527 --> 00:32:27,445
Either I will be killed
or something like that.
517
00:32:27,445 --> 00:32:29,030
MARIANA: You'd be killed?
JOSH: Yes.
518
00:32:29,030 --> 00:32:32,159
MARIANA: Is it that serious?
JOSH: It is. Very dangerous.
519
00:32:32,159 --> 00:32:34,786
MARIANA: He says his soul
is crushed by guilt
520
00:32:34,786 --> 00:32:37,372
and that he works under
the threat of violence,
521
00:32:37,372 --> 00:32:39,749
and yet he keeps scamming
522
00:32:39,749 --> 00:32:43,336
because he makes keeps 10% to
15% of any money he brings in.
523
00:32:43,336 --> 00:32:45,672
JOSH: It's a huge
amount of money.
524
00:32:45,672 --> 00:32:47,090
MARIANA: How many of these
companies do you think exist
525
00:32:47,090 --> 00:32:48,425
here in Israel?
526
00:32:48,425 --> 00:32:51,178
SIMONA: Now the industry
has gone underground,
527
00:32:51,178 --> 00:32:52,220
they're not as open.
528
00:32:52,220 --> 00:32:53,430
I hear from people
529
00:32:53,430 --> 00:32:57,017
that these call centers
are still everywhere.
530
00:32:57,017 --> 00:32:59,895
MARIANA: "Jobs for
multilinguals in Israel,"
531
00:32:59,895 --> 00:33:02,063
let's see what shows up.
532
00:33:02,063 --> 00:33:04,024
"Looking for hardworking,
fluent English speakers,
533
00:33:04,024 --> 00:33:05,358
enthusiastic and assertive,
534
00:33:05,358 --> 00:33:08,862
who are looking to
make a lot of money.
535
00:33:08,862 --> 00:33:12,532
A young and dynamic
atmosphere with snacks."
536
00:33:12,532 --> 00:33:15,285
For the snacks alone, I'm gonna
send an email to this one.
537
00:33:15,285 --> 00:33:18,330
So apart from people like you,
who's benefiting from this?
538
00:33:24,711 --> 00:33:26,296
(phone ringing)
539
00:33:26,296 --> 00:33:27,297
MAN: Hi. Yes?
540
00:33:27,297 --> 00:33:28,882
MARIANA:
Hi, this is Maria Flores.
541
00:33:30,550 --> 00:33:33,845
Yes, Maria Flores,
I emailed about a job position?
542
00:33:33,845 --> 00:33:35,513
If I wanted to go to
one of these companies
543
00:33:35,513 --> 00:33:39,893
and film undercover inside and
say that I'm applying for a job,
544
00:33:39,893 --> 00:33:41,269
what should I say?
545
00:33:41,269 --> 00:33:42,729
JOSH: Why, you're applying
for something?
546
00:33:42,729 --> 00:33:45,398
MARIANA: Maybe.
547
00:33:45,398 --> 00:33:47,817
So I've got my little
button camera right here.
548
00:33:47,817 --> 00:33:50,153
I've got the mic pack.
549
00:33:50,153 --> 00:33:51,613
DIRECTOR: Alright,
let's roll on it.
550
00:33:58,411 --> 00:34:03,625
♪ ♪
551
00:34:03,625 --> 00:34:06,002
MARIANA: While applying for jobs
at what I suspect might be
552
00:34:06,002 --> 00:34:08,004
a scam investment company,
553
00:34:08,004 --> 00:34:09,589
I've turned to Josh for advice
554
00:34:09,589 --> 00:34:11,216
on how to get
my foot in the door.
555
00:34:11,216 --> 00:34:12,592
JOSH: You can say that
I know how to do sales
556
00:34:12,592 --> 00:34:13,927
and probably you can get in.
557
00:34:13,927 --> 00:34:15,345
MARIANA: Not in
the actual trading?
558
00:34:15,345 --> 00:34:18,306
JOSH: No. There are agents
who don't know anything,
559
00:34:18,306 --> 00:34:20,976
a single word about trading,
they just know how to sell.
560
00:34:20,976 --> 00:34:23,228
MARIANA: I've worked in
translations as an interpreter.
561
00:34:23,228 --> 00:34:26,356
I've also worked at
a carpet/rugs company
562
00:34:26,356 --> 00:34:29,943
where I was dealing
with very rich clients.
563
00:34:34,406 --> 00:34:36,825
MARIANA: Okay.
Yeah, a polygraph?
564
00:34:38,368 --> 00:34:40,078
MARIANA: That's never
happened to me, but okay.
565
00:34:44,791 --> 00:34:46,501
MARIANA: Should I be concerned
about my security
566
00:34:46,501 --> 00:34:47,627
if they find out
I'm filming undercover?
567
00:34:47,627 --> 00:34:49,004
JOSH: Yes.
568
00:34:49,004 --> 00:34:49,754
MARIANA: What do you think
they could do?
569
00:34:49,754 --> 00:34:51,172
JOSH: There are no limits.
570
00:34:51,172 --> 00:34:54,718
What is the worst damage
you think you can get of?
571
00:34:54,718 --> 00:34:56,845
MARIANA: I mean, I could be
hurt or killed, obviously.
572
00:34:56,845 --> 00:34:58,263
JOSH: Exactly, so that's it.
573
00:34:58,263 --> 00:35:00,473
That's the answer
for your question. (chuckles)
574
00:35:03,810 --> 00:35:07,772
MARIANA: Have we thought
this through, guys?
575
00:35:07,772 --> 00:35:09,524
This, for better or worse,
576
00:35:09,524 --> 00:35:12,652
is where my curiosity
gets the better of me.
577
00:35:12,652 --> 00:35:17,699
What could these places possibly
look like from the inside?
578
00:35:17,699 --> 00:35:20,160
There's only one way
to find out.
579
00:35:20,160 --> 00:35:22,704
So, I'm Maria Flores.
I was born in '87.
580
00:35:22,704 --> 00:35:25,832
I'm moving to Tel Aviv with
my boyfriend, which is Jacob.
581
00:35:25,832 --> 00:35:27,334
PRODUCER: He's Israeli.
582
00:35:27,334 --> 00:35:29,252
MARIANA: I'm applying for
a sales job at this company.
583
00:35:29,252 --> 00:35:31,880
You're my friend, and you're
helping me with Hebrew.
584
00:35:31,880 --> 00:35:32,631
PRODUCER: Yeah.
MARIANA: Sounds good?
585
00:35:32,631 --> 00:35:34,507
PRODUCER: Yeah.
586
00:35:34,507 --> 00:35:36,676
MARIANA: My wing woman
for this operation
587
00:35:36,676 --> 00:35:38,887
is an amazing local producer
588
00:35:38,887 --> 00:35:41,931
whose name and identity
we've agreed not to disclose.
589
00:35:41,931 --> 00:35:44,476
So, I've got my little
button camera right here.
590
00:35:44,476 --> 00:35:46,853
I've got the mic pack.
591
00:35:46,853 --> 00:35:50,607
This gets really hot, so I don't
want to turn it on early.
592
00:35:52,567 --> 00:35:54,444
Yup. Definitely nervous.
593
00:35:54,444 --> 00:35:56,321
Just can't wait
for this to be over.
594
00:35:56,321 --> 00:35:57,489
So you're constantly
thinking that maybe
595
00:35:57,489 --> 00:35:59,115
they're going to realize
that you're filming,
596
00:35:59,115 --> 00:36:00,825
even though they
probably aren't.
597
00:36:10,085 --> 00:36:13,004
DIRECTOR: Alright,
let's roll on it.
598
00:36:13,004 --> 00:36:14,130
MARIANA: You see it?
DIRECTOR: Yeah.
599
00:36:14,130 --> 00:36:15,757
MARIANA: Okay, so
it's recording now.
600
00:36:15,757 --> 00:36:18,218
Wish me luck, guys.
601
00:36:18,218 --> 00:36:33,525
♪ ♪
602
00:36:33,525 --> 00:36:35,985
Fifth floor.
603
00:36:35,985 --> 00:36:37,821
Oh, my god.
604
00:36:37,821 --> 00:36:38,863
Okay.
605
00:36:43,451 --> 00:36:45,412
This is it.
606
00:36:45,412 --> 00:36:46,830
Okay, so we're here.
607
00:36:49,332 --> 00:36:51,209
It sounds like there's a party
going on in there, right?
608
00:36:51,209 --> 00:36:52,836
PRODUCER:
Yeah, there's music in it.
609
00:36:52,836 --> 00:36:55,004
(muffled music)
610
00:36:55,004 --> 00:36:56,589
MAN: Hello.
MARIANA: Hi, how are you?
611
00:36:56,589 --> 00:36:59,426
I'm here to meet (bleep). I am.
Oh, you were waiting for me!
612
00:36:59,426 --> 00:37:01,386
MARIANA: Hi, how are you?
MAN: Nice to meet you.
613
00:37:01,386 --> 00:37:04,264
MARIANA: This is the man I had
corresponded with over email.
614
00:37:04,264 --> 00:37:06,224
This is a nice office.
615
00:37:10,019 --> 00:37:10,979
MARIANA: Thank you.
616
00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:14,816
Oh, okay.
617
00:37:14,816 --> 00:37:16,901
Yeah.
618
00:37:16,901 --> 00:37:20,363
We can't know for sure
that this is a scam company,
619
00:37:20,363 --> 00:37:24,075
but our sources told us to be on
the lookout for certain clues,
620
00:37:24,075 --> 00:37:26,745
like a blind emphasis on sales
621
00:37:26,745 --> 00:37:30,707
and assurances that no knowledge
of finance is required.
622
00:37:32,667 --> 00:37:33,793
MARIANA: Mm‐hmm. Oh, definitely.
623
00:37:36,045 --> 00:37:37,422
MARIANA: Yeah.
624
00:37:37,422 --> 00:37:39,466
My only fear is that
I don't know anything
625
00:37:39,466 --> 00:37:40,675
about the Forex market.
626
00:37:46,514 --> 00:37:49,267
MARIANA: Really? Okay.
So it's not that hard?
627
00:37:49,267 --> 00:37:50,894
So what are you looking for?
628
00:37:50,894 --> 00:37:52,395
What kind of characteristics
would you...
629
00:37:55,190 --> 00:37:56,941
MARIANA: Great, so all I need
is to want money.
630
00:37:59,194 --> 00:38:01,279
MARIANA:
Then the manager arrives.
631
00:38:01,279 --> 00:38:03,031
Hi. Nice to meet you, too.
632
00:38:03,031 --> 00:38:04,824
And gets straight to the point.
633
00:38:14,209 --> 00:38:15,960
MARIANA: Wait, how much,
how much money can I make here?
634
00:38:19,422 --> 00:38:21,966
MARIANA: A month?
MANAGER: A month. Okay?
635
00:38:21,966 --> 00:38:24,969
MARIANA: Not bad for
an entry level job.
636
00:38:24,969 --> 00:38:27,013
Again, it's hard to say
for certain
637
00:38:27,013 --> 00:38:30,308
that this is a scam company,
but for an investment firm,
638
00:38:30,308 --> 00:38:33,061
they sure have a funny approach
to customer service.
639
00:39:01,589 --> 00:39:03,508
MARIANA: Salespeople
at scam companies
640
00:39:03,508 --> 00:39:06,427
are ordered to sell
under fake names.
641
00:39:06,427 --> 00:39:09,597
They're also told to lie about
the company's location.
642
00:39:09,597 --> 00:39:13,309
The scammers say they're
in New York, London, Zurich,
643
00:39:13,309 --> 00:39:15,937
but never, ever Israel.
644
00:39:15,937 --> 00:39:17,856
If you don't know
who you're dealing with,
645
00:39:17,856 --> 00:39:19,607
or where they're located,
646
00:39:19,607 --> 00:39:22,443
it's very hard to
get your money back.
647
00:39:23,611 --> 00:39:24,821
MARIANA: That is it.
648
00:39:24,821 --> 00:39:32,412
♪ ♪
649
00:39:32,412 --> 00:39:34,247
He kept looking at my boobs.
Can you believe it?
650
00:39:34,247 --> 00:39:36,457
I was thinking, are they looking
at my boobs or the camera?
651
00:39:36,457 --> 00:39:37,625
PRODUCER: Yeah.
652
00:39:37,625 --> 00:39:39,961
MARIANA: Or my necklaces
or what's happening?
653
00:39:42,839 --> 00:39:45,675
Okay, guys. Okay, the good news
is that I was hired.
654
00:39:45,675 --> 00:39:46,926
(man laughs)
655
00:39:46,926 --> 00:39:48,803
I can start as early
as next week.
656
00:39:48,803 --> 00:39:50,430
DIRECTOR: Nice. Congratulations.
657
00:39:50,430 --> 00:39:51,723
MARIANA: I mean, super shady.
658
00:39:51,723 --> 00:39:53,683
I'm so happy it's over.
659
00:39:59,314 --> 00:40:02,358
As we drive through Tel Aviv,
I realize the city skyline
660
00:40:02,358 --> 00:40:06,613
provides the perfect
white‐collar camouflage.
661
00:40:06,613 --> 00:40:10,992
So much of the business world
looks and sounds the same.
662
00:40:10,992 --> 00:40:14,329
The offices, the branding,
the button‐downs,
663
00:40:14,329 --> 00:40:18,207
and yet some not‐small number
of these normal‐looking people
664
00:40:18,207 --> 00:40:21,169
are on their way to
normal‐looking cubicles
665
00:40:21,169 --> 00:40:23,671
where they'll spend their days
stealing money
666
00:40:23,671 --> 00:40:27,216
from innocent people
around the world.
667
00:40:27,216 --> 00:40:31,596
And for what?
So they can buy a big‐ass yacht.
668
00:40:35,308 --> 00:40:38,603
On my last day in Tel Aviv,
I caught up with Moshiko
669
00:40:38,603 --> 00:40:40,605
to try and understand
how he justifies
670
00:40:40,605 --> 00:40:42,231
the lifestyle he's chosen.
671
00:40:47,820 --> 00:40:50,657
MOSHIKO: And in three months,
I might send them back 30,000,
672
00:40:50,657 --> 00:40:52,867
and they think they just
had a bad experience
673
00:40:52,867 --> 00:40:54,369
with the financial markets.
674
00:40:54,369 --> 00:40:56,829
MARIANA: There is no part of you
that feels bad about this?
675
00:40:56,829 --> 00:40:59,832
That you're taking away the last
200,000 from Joe the mechanic
676
00:40:59,832 --> 00:41:01,709
who's worked all of his life
for this money?
677
00:41:01,709 --> 00:41:03,962
MOSHIKO: If Joe the mechanic
thinks it's responsible
678
00:41:03,962 --> 00:41:06,965
to send $200,000 to a website
that he hasn't checked out,
679
00:41:06,965 --> 00:41:09,968
Joe the mechanic needs to be
responsible for his decisions.
680
00:41:12,345 --> 00:41:14,555
MARIANA: So, Moshiko, you seem
like a very smart person
681
00:41:14,555 --> 00:41:16,516
who obviously has
no problem making money.
682
00:41:16,516 --> 00:41:18,476
Why do, why do it this way?
683
00:41:18,476 --> 00:41:19,560
MOSHIKO: Where else can you make
684
00:41:19,560 --> 00:41:22,522
a million dollars in a week
from home?
685
00:41:22,522 --> 00:41:23,773
Come on.
686
00:41:23,773 --> 00:41:25,400
You live one life.
687
00:41:25,400 --> 00:41:28,444
Why should I spend my whole life
working, making 50,000 a year,
688
00:41:28,444 --> 00:41:30,863
when I can sit here
and I can enjoy my life?
689
00:41:30,863 --> 00:41:32,573
MARIANA: How much money do you
think you've made from this?
690
00:41:32,573 --> 00:41:35,743
MOSHIKO: The most I made
in one day was $300,000.
691
00:41:35,743 --> 00:41:41,290
Ten plus years, I have probably
brought in $75 to $100 million.
692
00:41:41,290 --> 00:41:44,627
MARIANA: Moshiko says that
scamming is here to stay.
693
00:41:44,627 --> 00:41:48,339
It's an inconvenient truth
about the globalized world.
694
00:41:48,339 --> 00:41:49,757
MOSHIKO: Just like
PT Barnum said,
695
00:41:49,757 --> 00:41:52,427
what's, there's a sucker born
every minute.
696
00:41:52,427 --> 00:41:54,137
MARIANA: You know who else
said that to us?
697
00:41:54,137 --> 00:41:56,139
The Jamaican scammer.
The exact same line.
698
00:41:56,139 --> 00:41:57,682
MOSHIKO: That is
absolutely true.
699
00:41:57,682 --> 00:42:04,689
♪ ♪
700
00:42:13,072 --> 00:42:24,500
(phone ringing)
701
00:42:24,500 --> 00:42:25,501
ADAM: Hello?
702
00:42:25,501 --> 00:42:27,587
SCAMMER: Hey, Adam?
ADAM: Uh‐huh.
703
00:42:27,587 --> 00:42:30,590
SCAMMER: Brace yourself.
Are you braced?
704
00:42:30,590 --> 00:42:34,552
You've won
19.42 million US dollars.
705
00:42:34,552 --> 00:42:37,138
How do you feel?
706
00:42:37,138 --> 00:42:39,015
ADAM: Okay,
how is that possible?
707
00:42:39,015 --> 00:42:41,100
SCAMMER: Adam, do you eat out?
708
00:42:41,100 --> 00:42:42,101
ADAM: Yes.
709
00:42:42,101 --> 00:42:43,352
SCAMMER: Are you vegetarian?
710
00:42:43,352 --> 00:42:44,771
ADAM: Uh‐huh.
711
00:42:44,771 --> 00:42:46,397
SCAMMER: Oh, my god, Adam,
you ran your credit card
712
00:42:46,397 --> 00:42:48,149
at a Whole Foods store.
713
00:42:48,149 --> 00:42:49,650
Have you had Whole Foods
recently?
714
00:42:49,650 --> 00:42:50,985
ADAM: Yeah, all the time.
715
00:42:50,985 --> 00:42:52,695
SCAMMER: Adam, you've won.
You've (bleep) won!
716
00:42:52,695 --> 00:42:56,240
What are you gonna do
with $19.42 million?
717
00:42:56,240 --> 00:42:58,576
MARIANA: Hey, Adam,
if you're watching,
718
00:42:58,576 --> 00:43:01,370
I want you to know
that this call is a scam.
719
00:43:03,748 --> 00:43:05,708
MARIANA: Adam,
you're not a sucker,
720
00:43:05,708 --> 00:43:08,127
but the guys on the other line
are hoping,
721
00:43:08,127 --> 00:43:10,004
really hoping, that you are.
722
00:43:14,258 --> 00:43:18,012
MARIANA: They make a living
in a way that's obviously wrong.
723
00:43:18,012 --> 00:43:21,057
But imagine waking up
every morning
724
00:43:21,057 --> 00:43:24,268
and seeing a bunch of tourists
spending more money in a week
725
00:43:24,268 --> 00:43:27,897
than you make in a year,
726
00:43:27,897 --> 00:43:31,400
and then going home to a place
outside resort walls
727
00:43:31,400 --> 00:43:33,569
that were erected
to keep you out.
728
00:43:38,616 --> 00:43:41,536
MARIANA: Now imagine all this is
wrapped in a history of slavery
729
00:43:41,536 --> 00:43:45,456
and exploitation, a legacy that
is very much alive and well.
730
00:43:53,339 --> 00:43:54,382
MARIANA: Reverse imperialism?
731
00:44:02,306 --> 00:44:05,393
MARIANA: "If you have a phone,
you have a chance."
732
00:44:05,393 --> 00:44:09,021
It's the most powerful
rationalization I've heard.
733
00:44:09,021 --> 00:44:11,607
Phone scamming as a last resort.
734
00:44:11,607 --> 00:44:14,193
A literal lifeline.
735
00:44:17,989 --> 00:44:20,825
Even so, most scammers I met
736
00:44:20,825 --> 00:44:24,787
seem to struggle
with what they do.
737
00:44:24,787 --> 00:44:26,455
Real jungle out here.
738
00:44:26,455 --> 00:44:28,040
TWEETY: Right, right, right.
739
00:44:28,040 --> 00:44:29,500
MARIANA: I know Tweety does.
740
00:44:36,424 --> 00:44:38,968
TWEETY: Almost there,
Mariana, almost there.
741
00:44:38,968 --> 00:44:40,428
MARIANA: Huge spiderweb!
742
00:44:40,428 --> 00:44:42,889
(Tweety laughs)
743
00:44:42,889 --> 00:44:44,682
MARIANA: Just down here?
TWEETY: Yeah.
744
00:44:47,018 --> 00:44:48,644
MARIANA: You good?
745
00:44:48,644 --> 00:44:50,521
This is really cool.
746
00:44:54,734 --> 00:44:56,527
TWEETY: Whoa.
747
00:44:56,527 --> 00:44:57,528
MARIANA: Is it cold?
748
00:44:57,528 --> 00:44:59,197
TWEETY: Yeah. (laughs)
749
00:45:08,456 --> 00:45:10,249
MARIANA: So this is to
ward off evil spirits?
750
00:45:10,249 --> 00:45:11,125
TWEETY: Right.
751
00:45:13,920 --> 00:45:16,172
MARIANA: Ghosts, yeah.
And you mix that with water?
752
00:45:16,172 --> 00:45:17,381
TWEETY: Water.
MARIANA: Okay.
753
00:45:25,514 --> 00:45:27,225
TWEETY: Whoa, it's getting wet.
754
00:45:27,225 --> 00:45:29,393
MARIANA: Wow, it's raining,
it's raining a lot.
755
00:45:31,896 --> 00:45:33,564
MARIANA: Extra blessing?
756
00:45:33,564 --> 00:45:36,192
I'm gonna join you since
I'm totally wet already anyway.
757
00:45:36,192 --> 00:45:37,735
There's no point
in me pretending here.
758
00:45:40,947 --> 00:45:42,740
MARIANA: One, two, three.
759
00:45:46,327 --> 00:45:49,288
I've spent a lot of time
with people like Tweety,
760
00:45:49,288 --> 00:45:51,207
telling stories of
those who make a living
761
00:45:51,207 --> 00:45:54,001
on the wrong side of the law.
762
00:45:54,001 --> 00:45:56,754
All too often, the people
who inhabit these worlds
763
00:45:56,754 --> 00:45:58,923
are painted as
ruthless criminals,
764
00:45:58,923 --> 00:46:02,093
immoral villains, bad people.
765
00:46:02,093 --> 00:46:03,469
But in my experience,
766
00:46:03,469 --> 00:46:06,097
they're a lot more like us
than we want to admit.
767
00:46:13,521 --> 00:46:15,147
TWEETY: Fresh start,
new beginning, right?
768
00:46:15,147 --> 00:46:16,983
MARIANA: Fresh start,
new beginning.
769
00:46:16,983 --> 00:46:29,787
♪ ♪
770
00:46:29,787 --> 00:46:32,498
JOSH: Everything is a scam.
Everybody takes their piece.
771
00:46:32,498 --> 00:46:34,959
MOSHIKO: Who's making money
off of these industries?
772
00:46:34,959 --> 00:46:37,169
Everyone.
It funds entire countries!
773
00:46:39,463 --> 00:46:41,215
VIKTOR: If I'm a billionaire,
I'll be done.
774
00:46:45,970 --> 00:46:47,722
MOSHIKO: Will I ever
stop scamming?
775
00:46:47,722 --> 00:46:49,390
No, it's too much fun.
776
00:46:49,390 --> 00:46:51,559
MARIANA: How do you think
this is gonna end for you?
777
00:46:51,559 --> 00:46:52,893
(gunshots)
778
00:46:52,893 --> 00:46:54,020
(siren)
779
00:46:59,817 --> 00:47:02,778
MAN: Know what I mean?
You get it, right?
780
00:47:02,778 --> 00:47:04,697
(siren)
781
00:47:04,697 --> 00:47:06,324
Captioned by
Side Door Media Services