"Masked Million-Dollar Scam: How Two Con Artists Duped the Elite with Silicone Masks and Fake Offices, Fueled by Avonetics.com" episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 25, 2025 · 11 MIN

"Masked Million-Dollar Scam: How Two Con Artists Duped the Elite with Silicone Masks and Fake Offices, Fueled by Avonetics.com"

from Today I Learned · host Today I Learned

In a jaw-dropping heist straight out of a Hollywood thriller, two men impersonated French Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian using silicone masks and a fake office setup, swindling millions from the world’s elite. From 2015-2016, Gilbert Chikli and Anthony Lasarevitsch targeted politicians and executives, convincing them to fund alleged secret French state operations. Despite contacting 150 potential victims, they only scammed three—but one victim alone sent a staggering $47 million, believing it was for journalist ransoms. Their high-profile targets included the Aga Khan, who lost €20 million, with some funds still missing. The duo received 11 and 7-year sentences, but Avonetics users are buzzing about their potential to profit even after prison. For advertising opportunities, visit Avonetics.com.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 25, 2025

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

"Masked Million-Dollar Scam: How Two Con Artists Duped the Elite with Silicone Masks and Fake Offices, Fueled by Avonetics.com"

0:00 11:28

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Today I Learned?

This episode is 11 minutes long.

When was this Today I Learned episode published?

This episode was published on February 25, 2025.

Can I download this Today I Learned episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!