EP15: Escobar Inc. Scam: Pablo Escobar’s Name, A Flamethrower, & Multi-Million Dollar Fraud

A Deep Dive Into the Mind-Bending Scam That Used a Drug Lord’s Legacy to Fuel an International Fraud Operation

Behind the Brand: The Wild World of Escobar Inc.

In this jaw-dropping episode of Behind the Scams, hosts Nick and Sue expose one of the most audacious scams in recent memory—an international fraud ring that used the name and likeness of the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar to market fake products like flamethrowers, gold-covered smartphones, and even “physical cryptocurrency.” It’s the kind of case you truly have to hear to believe, with layers of deceit, big money, and global intrigue.

The story centers on Olaf Kyros Gustafsson, a Swedish national and self-styled entrepreneur who called himself “Sir Olaf” and, more flamboyantly, “El Silencio.” He wasn’t silent when it came to marketing—but he certainly was when it came to delivering on promises. As CEO of Escobar Inc., Gustafsson claimed to hold the rights to Pablo Escobar’s name and legacy, launching a slick branding campaign that offered extravagant, too-good-to-be-true products at irresistible prices.

A Masterclass in Deception

Rather than creating legitimate items, Escobar Inc. created elaborate product campaigns based on celebrity impersonation scams, trust-based marketing, and social manipulation. Gustafsson took existing high-end products—like Samsung’s Galaxy Fold phone—and rebranded them as “Escobar Fold” devices. He even wrapped a few actual Samsung phones in gold foil and sent them to YouTube influencers, who unknowingly praised the scam products in glowing video reviews.

With influencer credibility secured, Gustafsson launched full product campaigns, offering foldable smartphones at unheard-of prices—$349 instead of the typical $2,000 retail tag. Thousands of eager consumers placed orders, believing they’d found the deal of the century. What they received instead? A cheap certificate claiming “ownership” of the product. No phone. No flamethrower. Just a receipt and a disappearing act.

The Power of Influence and Illusion

What made this scam so effective was the clever use of malvertising tactics, social proof, and faux legitimacy. Escobar Inc. rode the wave of viral interest using shock value—who wouldn’t pause when offered a flamethrower endorsed by the Escobar name? Or a gold-plated iPhone “previously banned in the U.S.”? Add a few trusted tech reviewers to the mix, and suddenly a scam looks a lot like a startup.

Nick and Sue guide listeners through the twisted trail of misinformation, carefully showing how scammers used bold claims and digital sleight of hand to con buyers out of millions of dollars across PayPal, Stripe, Coinbase, and wire transfers. The scam not only preyed on people’s desire for good deals—it weaponized brand loyalty and digital trust to pull off one of the most deceptive online operations ever prosecuted.

A Physical Cryptocurrency—Because Why Not?

If smartphones and flamethrowers weren’t wild enough, Escobar Inc. introduced “Escobar Cash,” advertised as the world’s first “physical cryptocurrency.” Of course, this product didn’t exist. But with professional-looking websites, slick product pages, and emotionally driven marketing, customers eagerly handed over real money for fake currency in coin form that never shipped. Gustafsson’s team had perfected the scam model: fabricate a trending product, undercut the market price, collect the money, and send a meaningless certificate as proof of delivery. All while basing their business model on Pablo Escobar.

Money Laundering in Motion

Where did the millions that were generated by stealing the name o...

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Behind The Scams
• (00:01:12) - Behind the Scams: Escobar Inc. Fraud Case
• (00:02:23) - Escobar Inc. Scammer Used Pablo Escobar's Fame
• (00:09:07) - Bitcoin Fraudster Arrested in US
• (00:10:23) - What Money Laundering Is (Explained)
• (00:11:38) - Bizarre Escobar Cash Scam
• (00:13:31) - Escobar Inc. Scam: The Samsung Fold Phone and More
• (00:19:17) - How Olaf Gustafsson Got Away With Stealing Millions
• (00:22:00) - How Cryptocurrency Helped In The Escobar Scam
• (00:23:02) - Scammer Arrested in US for International Fraud
• (00:25:13) - Decoding the Escobar, Inc. Scam
• (00:26:51) - Scammer Targets Consumers With Online Scam
• (00:28:24) - Behind The Scams