Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written is the latest season of the hit investigative podcast series exploring stories of shocking deception.
In this season of Smoke Screen, journalist and host Rachel Browne details a complex handwritten letter scam centred around French psychic Maria Duval that victimised hundreds of thousands of people globally.
Browne explores how the public received personalised letters from Duval claiming to bring them goodwill and fortune all for a small amount of money in return. This criminal scheme, which happened over decades, tapped into people’s desire for a better life.
One victim, who suffered from dementia, began to believe that the only way to be cured was to send money through the mail. So she did.
Through firsthand encounters with victims and law enforcement, this season focuses on the journey to discover who Maria Duval might have really been and traces the story to unveil its real roots, exposing the shocking truth behind one of the most elaborate fronts of the 21st century.
“The public was fascinated with the French psychic Maria Duvall and the hope she would bring them through a tailored letter about themselves,” said Rachel Browne. “Little did they know there was a larger scheme at play and a man who showed no remorse for his attempt to make a quick fortune.”
From Sony Music Entertainment in partnership with ITN Productions, Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written is available on The Binge, as well as all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
