American Greed

Sir Allen Stanford was once one of the richest men in America. His company, The Stanford Financial Group, made its name selling what's usually a safe bet for investors - certificates of deposits. But Stanford was eventually convicted of running an international $7 billion Ponzi scheme!

Solomon Dwek was a real estate mogul, philanthropist...and an expert flimflammer. He was the mastermind behind a multi-million dollar real estate scam and bank fraud. But when Dwek's luck runs out, he becomes an informant in the biggest case of corruption and greed in New Jersey history.

Lee Farkas was a mortgage mogul, a millionaire and chairman of Taylor, Bean & Whitaker. But unbeknownst to his clients, Farkas made his fortune by peddling fake mortgages and looting his company.

In the city of brotherly love, car wrecks piled up, and auto insurance policies were treated like ATM machines. American Greed takes you inside a Philadelphia car insurance fraud ring where everybody got a piece of the action.

Shawn Merriman was a bishop in the Mormon Church, a family man and the head of a thriving investment business pulling in millions. But unknown to investors, Merriman was living a lie and ripping off his neighbors, friends...even his own mother.

Van Thu Tran is a sexy Vietnamese-American who knows how to beat the odds. She makes millions in casinos using one of the oldest tricks in the book...with a new high-tech twist.

Michael Lock was a man driven by ambition. He was a Milwaukee crime boss with a business model that took him from cocaine dealing to bank fraud...and Lock had a surefire way to beat the competition. American Greed takes you inside a deadly tale of greed.

He's dubbed Long Island, New York's "Mini-Madoff." Nicholas Cosmo promised huge returns on booming real estate opportunities. He brought white-collar crime to blue-collar Americans and scammed thousands of trusting investors.

One of the nation's top homebuilders runs a multimillion-dollar scam that wreaks financial havoc on homebuyers, subcontractors, and banks. Nearly 300 homeowners face the threat of foreclosure.

First, in a mountain retreat, a con man stalked his prey - wealthy investors. Norman Schmidt stole millions until a trusted employee brought him down.Next...in a tough real estate market, Hawaiian mortgage broker James Lull claimed there was big money to be made fixing bad credit scores. But his investors' money went straight into a veritable museum of collectibles instead.

A televised art auction appears to showcase masterpieces. It's billed as your chance to own a Rembrandt, Chagall, or Dali. A rare Picasso sells for $500. Too good to be true?

It's one of the biggest cases of insider trading in history. Raj Rajaratnam had it all...a wildly successful hedge fund, billions in the bank, and the respect of Wall Street. But behind closed doors, Rajaratnam was gaming the system to the tune of $75 million-dollars!

Billionaire Tom Petters was a respected CEO for more than a decade. His companies included iconic American brands like Polaroid, Sun Country Airlines, and Fingerhut. But these legitimate businesses were purchased with dirty money...and his reputation was built on a foundation of lies.

Kevin Cohen is an attorney who says he can make dreams come true for couples desperate for children. He promises babies...for a hefty price. But unknown to his trusting clients, Cohen is exploiting their hopes and dreams.

Nevin Shapiro is the conman at the center of a college football scandal. He kicked off the controversy with stunning stories of gifts to players and allegations of broken NCAA rules. Who is this man who jeopardized the future of the University of Miami's football team, and how did he steal the millions that made it all possible?

Carlos Perez-Olivo is a successful lawyer with a silver tongue and solid gold taste. But when he's disbarred for fleecing desperate clients, he finds another way to make money...and proves how greed really is a deadly sin.

Kenneth Ira Starr is a money manager. He courts celebrity client - Sylvester Stallone, Uma Thurman, and Wesley Snipes. But Starr doesn't stop there. He steals $30 million to buy his way onto Hollywood's A-list and live a life of luxury...all in the name of love.

American Greed uncovers three tragic tales of deception and reveals the lengths people will go to steal money following a national tragedy.

Dr. Mark Weinberger-a self-proclaimed "nose doctor" - has it all and isn't afraid to flaunt it. But inside The Weinberger Sinus Clinic, all is not what it seems.

Arthur Nadel conjures a $330 million hedge fund. In the blink of an eye, he disappears and leaves clients without their life savings.

Marc Dreier is a high-powered lawyer with celebrity clients. But Dreier is a conman and steals more than $700 million from hedge funds.

The Art of the Steal - Larry Salander is one of the biggest names in New York's art world. But collectors see red when he swipes more than $100 million from their pockets. The Folsom Felon - Stefan Wilson says his investment fund is a sure-fire winner. Investors even mortgage their homes to join his fund. But business with Wilson comes at a very high price.

A tough guy from Chicago's South Side finds his way off the streets and into a lucrative life in counterfeiting. Art Williams Jr. prints millions in fake dollars.

A slaughterhouse employs hundreds of workers in a small Iowa town. But there are whispers of threats, extortion and shocking child labor abuses. Sholom Rubashkin runs the family business. Is he a dutiful son or a corporate crook?