9 True Scam Stories That Became Must-Watch Series and Films

Some scams are so outrageous they feel fictional—yet they really happened. These real-life cons shocked the world & later inspired hit films & series on streaming platforms.

Scam 1992 (SonyLIV): Based on Harshad Mehta’s securities fraud, India’s biggest financial scam of the ’90s shook the stock market. The series vividly recreates the rise and fall of the “Big Bull.”

Inventing Anna (Netflix): Anna Sorokin posed as a German heiress, scamming New York’s elite, hotels, and banks out of more than $200,000. The series explores her rise in high society and the lies that eventually unravelled her world.

The Wolf of Wall Street (Prime Video): Jordan Belfort ran a massive stock market scam, earning millions through pump-and-dump schemes while living a life of excess. The film showcases his dizzying climb and chaotic downfall.

The Act (Hulu/Prime Video): Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s mother, Dee Dee, fabricated illnesses to gain sympathy and donations, a disturbing con that spiralled into tragedy. The show dives into the twisted mother-daughter dynamic.

Fyre Festival (Netflix): Promoted as an elite music festival in the Bahamas, the event collapsed into chaos with disaster tents, no artists, & almost no food. The documentary captures the hype, scam, & total collapse.

The Tinder Swindler (Netflix): Simon Leviev tricked women on dating apps into sending him millions by faking danger from enemies. The film reveals how one man manipulated global trust in digital dating.

Bad Vegan (Netflix): Celebrity chef Sarma Melngailis was manipulated into draining her restaurant’s funds after bizarre promises of wealth and immortality for her dog. The series uncovers the mix of glamour, deception, and downfall.

The Bling Ring (Prime Video): A group of LA teens broke into celebrity homes, stealing over $3 million in luxury items. The film highlights obsession with fame and materialism.

Catch Me If You Can (Netflix): Frank Abagnale Jr forged checks and impersonated a pilot, doctor, and lawyer—all before 21. The movie follows his thrilling game of cat-and-mouse with the FBI.