Bigamy. Identity theft. Fraud. For the last 20 years Richard Scott Smith has used the internet and his dubious charms to prey upon unsuspecting women in search of love -- conning them out of their money and their dignity. But now his victims have banded together determined to seek sweet revenge.

LOVE FRAUD is a 4-part limited documentary series that follows (in real time) a con-man who is on the loose and the dynamic women determined to put him behind bars. Oscar-nominated directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady take viewers on a bizarre, engrossing ride through the twisted mind of a criminal and the chaos he leaves in his wake. LOVE FRAUD will have a World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Day One, Thursday, January 23, 2020, marking the first time an episodic series was programmed on opening day in festival history.

 

BIOS

RACHEL GRADY – DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Rachel Grady is the co-director of JESUS CAMP (Oscar nominee), The Boys Of Baraka (Emmy nominee), 12TH & DELAWARE (Peabody winner), DETROPIA (Sundance and Emmy winner), Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You (2016 Sundance Film Festival) and One Of Us (TIFF 2017).

HEIDI EWING – DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Heidi Ewing is the co-director of JESUS CAMP, THE BOYS OF BARAKA, 12TH & DELAWARE (Sundance 2010), DETROPIA (Sundance 2012), Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You (Sundance 2016) and One Of Us (TIFF 2017). Ewing’s first narrative feature Te Llevo Conmigo (I Carry You with Me) will also make its world premiere at Sundance this year.

TRACY –FEATURED IN THE SERIES

 After an innocent right swipe on a dating app, Tracy, a professional living in the suburbs of Kansas City, MO with her children, was excited at the prospect of a nice guy after endless bad matches. A great first date led to a relationship and soon after talk of rings and marriage, and a new home in Florida. Alarmed at how quickly things were moving, Tracy’s daughter grew suspicious and uncovered dozens of women just like her mom, emotionally and financially drained from one love con. 

 

SYNOPSES

Ep 1: YOU JUST GOTTA TRUST ME

Online dating had been a disappointment to Tracy, but the day she met Mickey it all felt different. Their courtship is a dizzying ride that ends with a beautiful engagement ring. But Tracy’s daughters think it’s all moving too fast and break into Mickey's truck to find out the truth. They are shocked at what they learn and it’s up to them to spill the beans. “Mom, you need to come home. Mickey is not who he says he is.” Premiere

Ep 2: WICHITA 

Carla the bounty hunter is in search of con man Richard Scott Smith. Using tips from a blog created by his victims, Carla stumbles on a lead. Could Smith really be posing as a restauranteur right there in Kansas? Turns out Carla is not the only person keen to find Smith. Enter Jim, who’s wife has emptied his 401k and run off with Smith to chase her dreams of owning a seafood empire. Throw in a lone local PI and some filmmakers and it’s a race to the Krab Kings in Wichita, where it really gets weird.

Ep 3: I’M GLAD YOU CALLED 

The pursuit for Richard Scott Smith continues. Has he really fled to Belize? Is he conning a new woman while the search is on? The “revenge squad” in Kansas City receives a disturbing tip that one of his exes in the south is hiding him at her place. The clue takes the story to Knoxville, Tennessee, where a  new cast of surprising characters emerges and thickens the plot.

Ep. 4: HOW DID YOU GUYS SEE THIS THING ENDING?

How many others are there? Richard Scott Smith’s secrets seem endless. His past is continuing to unravel and may finally be catching up with him. With the help of Carla the bounty hunter and a team of savvy local private investigators, Smith’s victims decide it’s time to take a road trip and stop Rick once and for all. They’ve finally got him cornered. Is Richard Scott Smith’s trail of deceit and heartbreak finally over? Finale

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