In the ’90s, a frustrated artist in Berlin went on a crime spree—building bombs, extorting high-end stores, and styling his persona after Scrooge McDuck. He soon became a German folk hero.

In 2005, Vanessa Mitchell moved into her dream home, a former medieval jail where England’s witches waited to hang and burn. When paranormal phenomena forced her to flee, she became convinced it was possessed by evil spirits.

Decades ago, a marketing stunt promised Philippine soda drinkers a chance at a million pesos. But an error at a bottling plant led to 600,000 winners—and to lawsuits, rioting, and even deaths.

How demons destroyed a Florida school.

Paul Gonzales scammed his online dates into buying him expensive dinners. Then they made him pay.

For nearly a century, an oak in a German forest has helped lonely people find love—including the mailman who delivers its letters.

The story of Dr. Sherman Hershfield, who became Dr. Rapp.

Jerome Jacobson and his network of mobsters, psychics, strip club owners, and drug traffickers won almost every prize for 12 years, until the FBI launched Operation ‘Final Answer.’

A strange and bittersweet ballad of kidnapping, stolen identity and unlikely stardom.

Emma Perrier was deceived by an older man on the internet—and then she found love with the model whose photographs he had stolen.

Michael Thevis was a pioneer in the 1970s porn world, making millions off his coin-operated peep-show machines. He built his family one of the most ornate mansions in Atlanta before it all came crashing down amidst bombings, murders, and a prison break.

Cyril the Swan was the mascot for a low-level soccer club in the UK. He was known for fighting with other mascots. And refs. And opposing coaches. He also saved the club’s financial fortunes. Then the nine-foot-tall bird became the prime suspect in a serious assault.

At 33, Wendy Brown stole her daughter’s name, grabbed a pair of pom-poms, and went back to high school. Then she went to jail.

How “Count” Victor Lustig, one of America’s great con men, worked his scams.

What really happened at 2475 Glendower Place.

A faked marriage between undercover agents leads to the arrest of a dozen drug dealers.

How a 24-year-old nurse discovered Vegas, high-stakes gambling, and serial bank robbery.

“In essence, Pez ordered his economic assassination,” said a fellow Pez dealer.

Ann Casey pulled herself out of poverty by becoming one of the most revered wrestlers in America. Then she was shot by a drug-running truck driver. This is the story of her comeback.

Alfred Dellentash Jr. chartered the Rolling Stones in private jets while smuggling planeloads of Pablo Escobar’s drugs on the side.

He’s spent decades dodging the law. He’s escaped from jail twice by helicopter. He’s given millions to the poor. The story of how Vassilis Paleokostas, Greece’s most wanted man, became a folk hero.