Chameleon: The Michigan Plot

Chameleon: The Michigan Plot

In the fall of 2020, 14 men were arrested across three states in a series of FBI raids that shocked the nation. The government alleged that these men conspired to kidnap, and possibly even kill, the sitting governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer. But is that really what happened? On season 7 of Chameleon, we’ll explore that notorious plot to kidnap governor Whitmer from its inception by taking listeners on an unprecedented journey inside the investigation. Through hundreds of hours of wire recordings that have never been heard by the public, you’ll ride along in the pocket of an FBI informant posing as a militia member, as he infiltrates an anti-government group that seems dangerous. But are they? Was the plot to kidnap governor Whitmer the sophisticated plan the government said it was, or just the stoned fantasies of a group of down-on-their-luck gun nuts? Did the FBI stop a dangerous plot in motion…or did it help to create it? Want the full story? Unlock all episodes of Chameleon: The Michigan Plot, ad-free, right now by subscribing to The Binge. Plus, get binge access to brand new stories dropping on the first of every month — that’s all episodes, all at once, all ad-free. Just click ‘Subscribe’ on the top of the Chameleon show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen. From Campside Media and Sony Music Entertainment, this is Season 7 of Chameleon: The Michigan Plot. Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts.

Episodes

September 17, 2020 4 mins
The incredible true story of the Hollywood Con Queen scam, and the hunt for the sick mastermind behind it. With Josh Dean and Vanessa Grigoriadis. A production of Campside Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
Eddie, an aspiring film industry trainer, gets a  call from a powerful producer offering him the opportunity of a lifetime  -- a major film project, in Indonesia. But when Eddie gets to Jakarta,  there is no movie. And after some friends back home do a little sleuthing, Eddie realizes that he's been pulled into something far bigger than just a little scam.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
October 1, 2020 47 mins
Eddie wasn't the first person to fall into this fake movie trap. Not even close. Two years before Eddie got  that call, Heather, a make-up artist in London, heard from a different  producer, about a different movie, also in Indonesia. But Heather's trip  was far more harrowing. She feared for her life. And her story pulls us deeper into the tangled web of the Hollywood Con Queen scam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...
Mark as Played
The Hollywood Con Queen scam is far bigger and more complicated than anyone recognized. Each victim seems to lead to five more victims, and the more Josh and Vanessa unpack this baffling con, the weirder things get. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
October 15, 2020 34 mins
Nicole, the private investigator, joins us inside the rabbit hole, and begins to chip away at some of the scammer's defenses. That work also uncovers one incredible secret. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The scam has a whole other set of victims — the female producers and studio execs who had their names and reputations damaged by the Con Queen. Josh goes to visit Deb Snyder, one of the biggest film producers in Hollywood, and finds that she has some very interesting things to share about our scammer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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October 29, 2020 37 mins
Just when you thought the Con Queen scam couldn't get any more mind-boggling, a new twist emerges — one that makes the depravity of this scammer abundantly clear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
November 5, 2020 38 mins
With no sign of the case being resolved, and the Con Queen very much still racking up victims, the team decides to go hunting for this elusive scammer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
The hunt for the scammer continues, and frustration is at an all-time-high — until our team gets the big break it's been looking for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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November 19, 2020 45 mins
At long last, the team penetrates the scammer's inner circle — and zeroes in on the Con Queen's identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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What makes con artists tick. In this special episode, we speak with author/journalist Maria Konnikova and psychoanalyst Alexander Stein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
December 3, 2020 50 mins
Friends, classmates, even prison officials help us assemble a story of the Con Queen suspect that goes all the way back to his childhood. Chameleon has been a production of Campside Media Chameleon was developed, created, and written by Josh Dean and Vanessa Grigoriadis. The Executive Producer is Mark McAdam. The Associate Producer is Abukar Adan. Fact checking by Callie Hitchcock Editorial support by Doug Slawin, Natalia W...
Mark as Played
December 10, 2020 32 mins
An update on the arrest, plus two voices from Gobind's distant past speak up to help us understand this mysterious man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The stranger-than-fiction tale of a two-year FBI undercover sting in Las  Vegas that went bust, with no one convicted of crimes. Hosted by Trevor  Aaronson. A production of Campside Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
June 15, 2021 42 mins
Emile Bouari, owner of a diet clinic, is out there hustling, trying to win in the city of sin. But he’s no stranger to the FBI. New  free episodes every week; subscribe on Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes a week early before anyone else! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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June 15, 2021 31 mins
A Moroccan man named Michel and a wealthy man of the world named Dennis discuss business opportunities with Emile. New  free episodes every week; subscribe on Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes a week early. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
June 22, 2021 34 mins
Michel and Dennis are bringing piles of cash to Emile’s weight loss clinic. But the two aren’t the wealthy businessmen they appear to be. New  free episodes every week; subscribe on Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes a week early. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
June 29, 2021 39 mins
Chuck and Dennis are good friends. Emile isn’t the first man they’ve lured into an elaborate trap. New  free episodes every week; subscribe on Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes a week early. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played
July 6, 2021 39 mins
Emile introduces Michel and Dennis to his friends and associates, including his girlfriend Kim and his brother Gus. New  free episodes every week; subscribe on Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes a week early. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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July 13, 2021 43 mins
Emile and Gus are arrested at the Las Vegas airport. They find Emile’s friend Mary at the detention facility. New  free episodes every week; subscribe on Apple Podcasts to get ad-free episodes a week early. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mark as Played

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