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The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 1
Manage episode 520020914 series 2484601
Some people fake cancer for sympathy. Others do it for money. But the truth is darker than most of us want to believe.
In this episode, we break down the tactics, behaviors, and mindsets of some of the most convincing cancer fakers out there. From Madison Russo’s botched medical props to Elizabeth Teckenbrock’s alleged search history...“Is it illegal to fake cancer?” Um, yeah.
Bill Petrich, a real cancer survivor who now investigates fake cases, helps us understand the psychology behind the deception.
We also take a look at the biggest cancer cons in recent history: Scamanda, Belle Gibson, Jennifer Flynn Cataldo and how these scams went from emotional manipulation to full-on fraud.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Why people fake cancer
02:10 – The power of a diagnosis
06:50 – Madison Russo: TikTok’s medical theater
10:45 – Elizabeth Teckenbrock: Google searches and fake ports
15:30 – Scamanda and the long con
18:15 – The Belle Gibson wellness empire
21:05 – The real cost: money, trust, and consequences
25:40 – Bill Petrich’s empathy and insight
28:10 – What’s next: One man. One relationship. One massive lie.
To learn more about Bill Petrich’s work documenting these cases, check out his TikTok: @faking.cancer.expert:
https://www.tiktok.com/@faking.cancer.expert
Listen to eLIESabeth podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nlxXhewsTRAyJhvyvaQbb?si=5de4d34489f549e9
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
306 episodes
Manage episode 520020914 series 2484601
Some people fake cancer for sympathy. Others do it for money. But the truth is darker than most of us want to believe.
In this episode, we break down the tactics, behaviors, and mindsets of some of the most convincing cancer fakers out there. From Madison Russo’s botched medical props to Elizabeth Teckenbrock’s alleged search history...“Is it illegal to fake cancer?” Um, yeah.
Bill Petrich, a real cancer survivor who now investigates fake cases, helps us understand the psychology behind the deception.
We also take a look at the biggest cancer cons in recent history: Scamanda, Belle Gibson, Jennifer Flynn Cataldo and how these scams went from emotional manipulation to full-on fraud.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Why people fake cancer
02:10 – The power of a diagnosis
06:50 – Madison Russo: TikTok’s medical theater
10:45 – Elizabeth Teckenbrock: Google searches and fake ports
15:30 – Scamanda and the long con
18:15 – The Belle Gibson wellness empire
21:05 – The real cost: money, trust, and consequences
25:40 – Bill Petrich’s empathy and insight
28:10 – What’s next: One man. One relationship. One massive lie.
To learn more about Bill Petrich’s work documenting these cases, check out his TikTok: @faking.cancer.expert:
https://www.tiktok.com/@faking.cancer.expert
Listen to eLIESabeth podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2nlxXhewsTRAyJhvyvaQbb?si=5de4d34489f549e9
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
306 episodes
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