Undercover Romance Scam- Mariana van Zeller's Super Scam Me Goes Inside the Con

What happens when an investigative journalist deliberately enters a romance scam to find out how the deception actually works? Emmy-winning journalist Mariana van Zeller joins Laurel House on RomConned to discuss her National Geographic documentary "Super Scam Me," in which she goes undercover to experience the tactics used to build trust, create emotional attachment, and exploit the desire for connection. Together, Mariana and Laurel examine what happens inside these relationships before the victim knows the ending, why intelligent people can be deceived, and why romance fraud carries a particular kind of shame. Laurel, a Human Connection Researcher, Relationships and Behavioral Dynamics Expert, and romance scam survivor, brings her own experience and research into the conversation, exploring Ghost Flags, the changing function of relationship behaviors, and #iTrusted —a way to challenge the shame that keeps victims silent. They also confront a disturbing contradiction: when someone is deceived financially, we often blame the scammer. Add the words "I love you," and suddenly we start questioning the person who trusted. What can Mariana's undercover investigation teach us about how these scams unfold, why victims may struggle to recognize or report them, and how we can respond differently? Subscribe to RomConned for investigations into what happens inside relationships—from confusion to crime. Words Inform. Actions Demonstrate. Patterns Reveal. Watch Super Scam Me on Hulu, Disney+, and National Geographic The investigative documentary special premieres on October 17, airing at 9 pm EDT on National Geographic and streaming the same day on Disney+ and Hulu. Music: Fear of The Dark by Soundridemusic Link to Video: Cinematic Suspense Trailer NoCopyright Music for Video / Fear of the Dark by soundridemusic