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Persona: The French Deception

Wondery | Pineapple Street Studios

What does it feel like to pick up the phone and scam someone out of $50 million? This is the story of Gilbert Chikli, one of the greatest con artists of all time. Host and award-winning journalist Evan Ratliff investigates how Chikli duped some of the world’s most powerful people into handing over their fortunes. He explores how Chikli evaded the law for years and became a Robin Hood-like hero. More than just a tale of criminal genius, this is a show about the moment we’re living in right now — the golden age of scammers — and the power of seduction. But what happens when the fantasy we’ve been lured into finally crumbles away?


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Our Editor's Take

The true crime podcast Persona: The French Deception explores the story behind one of Europe's most infamous scammers. Not even those in power are immune to the tricks of a scam artist.

In August 2017, police in Ukraine arrested a man by the name of Gilbert Chikli. The French con artist managed to steal millions of euros. Chikli, who eluded the law for over a decade, used his cunning mind and sense of charm to rob banks and businesses. He did this without them ever realizing it. So how did he do it, and what finally brought him down? In this podcast, listeners will learn the truth behind this notorious figure.

Evan Ratliff serves as the writer and host of this informative series. He also authored the book The Mastermind: A True Story of Murder, Empire, and a New Kind of Crime Lord. Ratliff is a long-form journalist who has proven he is right for this hosting job. As a reporter, Ratliff conducted valuable and extensive research on scams and frauds. He has also written for publications such as The New Yorker and National Geographic.

Ratliff uncovers the details behind Chikli's long con using his skills and expertise. His exclusive interviews and first-hand accounts give listeners insight into this surprising investigation. From Chikli's first scam to his eventual arrest, Ratliff explores the case in great detail. His findings will even astonish listeners familiar with the story from The Masked Scammer. That's the 2022 Netflix documentary about his schemes.

Fans of the true crime genre may enjoy what Persona: The French Deception offers. Each 30-minute to 40-minute episode is captivating and enlightening. Ratliff is also commanding as he guides the audience through his journey. His enthusiasm is contagious and adds an admirable vitality to the show. This makes this podcast a fascinating listen for true crime lovers.

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