American GreedA 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.
Hook, Line and Sucker / Maxfield Parish Art Heist
Jun 21, 2007
Case 1: Hook, Line and Sucker Barry Hunt—a successful con artist who left a coast-to-coast trail of deception, deceit and empty bank accounts. A profile of Hunt’s crime and the investors who bought his story. Case 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.
The Imposter: Dr. Barnes / Interstate Bank Mart Bandit
Jun 28, 2007
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!".
Art Heist: Fine Arts Express / Medical Scams: Dr. Martinez
Jul 5, 2007
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… museum quality pieces by Picasso, Matisse, and Rothko. Case 2: Medical Scams: Dr. Martinez It sounds like a nightmare—long needles repeatedly jabbed to a patient’s 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.
Meth Identity Thieves / The Wheaton Bandit
Jul 12, 2007
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. Case 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.
Religious Prey: Baptist Foundation of Arizona / Medical Scams: Dr. Mikos
Jul 19, 2007
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! “American Greed" unravels the elaborate Ponzi scheme which left a religious community betrayed and baffled. Case 2: Medical Scams: Dr. Mikos The story of a murderous Chicago doctor who bilked Medicare! He’s 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.
Religious Prey: Greater Ministries Int'l / It Takes a Thief
Jul 26, 2007
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.
