In the late 1840s in Western New York, two preteen girls tricked their parents into thinking their house was haunted. Their trick grew to include their hometown, and eventually the world, as their little prank became a religious movement known as Modern Spiritualism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2012, investor Bill Ackman made it his mission to bring Herbalife down, citing unethical business practices. But the string of lawsuits, investigations, and news segments that followed did little to oust the billion dollar brand.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Hughes founded Herbalife in 1980, with the stated goal of helping people lose weight the healthy way. The multi-level marketing company achieved astronomical success before a series of controversies put the spotlight on questionable business practices and toxic products.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By 2006, 29-year-old Rudy had been accepted into the wine elite after selling $35 million worth of bottles from his personal collection. But after discovering counterfeits, seasoned buyers began to grow skeptical—and one man became determined to bring Rudy to justice.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re looking at unrepentant criminals. Why do some criminals lack empathy over their actions?  Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Tyler Hadley Pt. 2, Female Criminals: “Lesbian Vampire Killer” Tracey Wiggington, Villains: Richard Kuklinski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With his keen sense of taste and exceptional memory, Rudy Kurniawan rose up the ranks of wine connoisseurs around the world in the early 2000s. Then he began selling counterfeit wine, conning wine lovers out of millions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cases of parent-child co-conspirators. What makes a parent recruit their own child into a life of crime? Clips featured: Espionage: Jim Nicholson Pt. 2, Con Artists: Sante Kimes Pt. 2, Female Criminals: “Torture Mother” Gertrude Baniszewski Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early 20th century, a man many knew only as “the King” grew to be the most powerful man in Denver—the head of an empire of confidence tricksters who swindled victims across the United States. Lou Blonger seemed untouchable… Until a headstrong district attorney and a handful of allies decided to challenge him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Con Artists each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cases of unholy matrimony. We’ll dive into some examples of scandalous affairs and murderous marriages in true crime history.  Clips featured: Unsolved Murders: Amy Robsart Pt. 1, Cults: “The Source Family” Pt. 1, Crimes of Passion: Lorena Bobbit Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1990s, Don Lapre made a fortune by convincing people they could get rich by operating 900 numbers. In the early aughts, he marketed a nutritional supplement dubbed “the Greatest Vitamin in the World.” It was a pyramid scheme, and it helped Lapre swindle millions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices