Kings of Scam
Season 1
Created by:
Network: ARD-alpha
Season aired: 2026-04-01
Overview
Smishing attacks often begin with fake package notifications that lead to fraudulent links; this is how hundreds of thousands of victims are scammed, their credit card data stolen. The documentary investigates this multi-billion-dollar fraud network, the luxurious lifestyles of those involved, and the software used, "Magic Cat." The BR's investigative team follows leads in an internal Telegram group and reconstructs connections to China, Thailand, and the USA.
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Episodes · 3
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Smishing messages in many languages lure victims with alleged package problems in order to steal credit card data via fake links; the scammers earn billions. Two Norwegian hackers penetrate the scammers' software, discover a Telegram chat group, and observe for a year until a scammer reveals too much.
One Night in Bangkok
"Magic Cat" is Chinese scammer software; young men boast in a Chinese Telegram group about stolen credit cards, luxury goods, and cars; a user leads to clues in Bangkok and California, and reporters confront the perpetrators and examine their motives.
Cat and Mouse
The DHL scam investigation leads to China: the developer and many scammers are based there, government countermeasures appear weak, and refunds for victims are difficult; after release, the developer disappears and "Magic Cat" goes offline, but the cat-and-mouse game continues.
