A billion-dollar scam industry is being exposed. The new Disney+ and Hulu special dives into the world of romance scams and their increasing use of AI. Emmy Award-winning journalist Mariana Van Zeller investigates how scammers manipulate victims to demand money.
Super Scam Me follows Van Zeller as she creates a fake dating profile and presents herself as a potential target. The one-hour National Geographic special premieres on October 17 at 9 p.m. ET. Generative AI also plays a role in the investigation, as scammers utilize technology to create fake identities and messages that are harder to detect.
Romance scammers stole over $1 billion from American victims in 2025, according to National Geographic. The scale of these losses highlights why romance scams have become a significant concern. Van Zeller’s investigation focuses on the tactics scammers employ to build trust before financially targeting victims.
Check out the Super Scam Me trailer (watch more trailers)
Mariana Van Zeller goes undercover to uncover how romance scams operate
Van Zeller builds an online persona and begins interacting with suspected scammers. One man claims to be a four-star general and becomes increasingly persistent during their conversations. He also sends her videos explaining how to use a Bitcoin ATM.
The investigation expands when Van Zeller collaborates with a white-hat hacker. They work together to identify the scammer and determine his location. She then attempts to take the investigation beyond online conversations and confront him in person.
The special also features victims who faced serious consequences after falling for romance scams. One woman believed she was in a relationship with Jon Bon Jovi. The deception ultimately contributed to her losing her home through foreclosure.
Van Zeller has previously investigated romance scams for National Geographic. An episode of Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller examined scammers targeting Americans while operating between the United States and Ghana. Super Scam Me expands that reporting by placing Van Zeller inside the scam itself.
