Key Takeaways
- Scams are all around, whether in mainstream finance or alternative assets
- Documentaries are a good way to be educated while being entertained
- Here are some great documentaries to become aware of scams.
Scams, whether in crypto or in mainstream finance, have defrauded millions of investors worldwide.
These documentaries about scams offer a gripping and often shocking look into the dark underbelly of the finance world.
Whether you're a crypto enthusiast, mainstream investor, or just curious about true crime and financial deception, this list includes some of our favourite scam documentaries across major streaming platforms.
Top Crypto Scam Documentaries To Add to Your Watch List
Bitconned (2024) – Netflix
The eye-opening documentary Bitconned dives into the infamous Centra Tech scam, where three young entrepreneurs exploited the unregulated nature of the early cryptocurrency market to con investors out of millions. Featuring interviews with victims and law enforcement, Bitconned is a cautionary tale about trust, hype, and greed in the wild west of crypto.
Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
A real-life mystery thriller, this film, Trust No One, follows the bizarre story of Gerry Cotten, CEO of Canadian exchange QuadrigaCX. His sudden death led to the disappearance of $250 million in customer funds. Amateur sleuths and investors race to uncover whether it was incompetence, fraud, or something even darker.
Crypto Queen: The Onecoin Scam (2022)
This documentary, Crypto Queen, tells the jaw-dropping story of Ruja Ignatova, the mastermind behind the billion-dollar Ponzi scheme known as OneCoin. Once hailed as the "Crypto Queen," Ignatova vanished while swindling people across the globe.
RUIN: Money, Ego and Deception at FTX
This totally free Bloomberg documentary chronicles the meteoric rise and spectacular fall of Sam Bankman-Fried and his crypto empire FTX. Once seen as a visionary, SBF's downfall exposed systemic flaws in crypto regulation and governance.
Catching a Genius Hacker: The Mt. Gox Documentary
This documentary unravels the gripping tale of the infamous 2014 Mt. Gox hack, where 850,000 Bitcoins, worth nearly $500 million, vanished from the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. This thrilling documentary dives into the chaotic downfall of Mt. Gox, exploring the audacious heist, the elusive hacker behind it, and the global manhunt that followed.
Lie To Me: How One Man Exposed the OneCoin Crypto Scam
Lie to Me (2024) is a gripping documentary that follows blockchain expert Bjørn Bjercke as he exposes OneCoin, the largest crypto scam in history. Marketed as the "Bitcoin Killer," OneCoin lured millions with promises of wealth, but lacked a blockchain, revealing its fraudulent core.
Directed by Bår Tyrmi, this docu-thriller delves into greed, deception, and the psychology behind why people still fall for the scam, even after its collapse, blending personal tragedies with a global manhunt for the elusive "Cryptoqueen," Ruja Ignatova.
Biggest Heist Ever (2022)
This film recounts the dramatic Bitfinex hack, where a couple dubbed the “Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde” stole over $72 million in Bitcoin. Their trail of digital breadcrumbs leads investigators down a rabbit hole of blockchain forensics and international crime.
Crypto Scams by National Geographic
Part of the National Geographic docuseries, this episode investigates how criminals use cryptocurrencies to launder money and fund illegal activities. A must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of crypto and organised crime.
Other Must-Watch Financial Scandal Documentaries
Scams existed long before the crypto industry. All industries are affected by scams. Here are some great documentaries about mainstream financial scams that have caught people out.
Con Mum
Con Mum: A celebrated British pastry chef’s life unravels after reuniting with a woman claiming to be his long-lost mother.
MADOFF: The Monster of Wall Street
The definitive account of history’s largest Ponzi scheme.
Lords of Scam
Explores a carbon trading fraud that cost billions.
The Inside Job - How the Financial Crisis Happened
This is an Academy Award-winning exposé on the 2008 financial crisis.
The China Hustle
This documentary investigates Chinese companies defrauding U.S. investors.
Skandal! Bringing Down Wirecard
A journalistic triumph revealing one of Europe’s biggest corporate frauds.
Final Thoughts
As cryptocurrency continues to evolve, so do the methods used by scammers and fraudsters.
These crypto scam documentaries serve as both entertainment and education, offering insight into the psychology of deception, and the importance of due diligence when investing in assets.
Lukas Jackson
Lukas Jackson is a leading expert in compliance with over 5 years of experience in crypto, AML/CTF regulations and scams prevention. Actively involved in initiatives focused on scam prevention and public education, Lukas has a passion for protecting individuals from online threats. With a focus on raising awareness and developing strategies to combat scams, Lukas is committed to driving efforts that help people recognise and avoid scams.
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