‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ and Why We’re Obsessed With Scammers in the Digital Age
Netflix‘s Apple Cider Vinegar delves into the true story of Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through natural remedies. This six-part drama explores Gibson’s rise to fame and her subsequent exposure as a fraud, tapping into the public’s enduring fascination with scam artists. The show joins a growing list of productions that examine con artists’ allure and impact on modern society.
The allure of the con artist as entertainment
Audiences have long been captivated by stories of deception, particularly those involving charismatic individuals who manipulate societal systems for personal gain. Countless films and television dramas frame con artists as protagonists, encouraging audiences to root for the deception.
Apple Cider Vinegar offers a nuanced portrayal of Gibson, played by Kaitlyn Dever, highlighting her manipulation of social media and the wellness industry to amass a substantial following. The series not only chronicles her deceit but also examines the psychological underpinnings of her actions and the societal factors that allowed her to thrive.
Part of what makes scammer stories so compelling is the blend of ambition, deception, and hubris that drives these individuals. Many of them don’t start as criminals but rather as people desperate for success, wealth, or status—often believing their lies at some point.
In Inventing Anna, Anna Sorokin doesn’t just trick people into thinking she’s an heiress—she fully embodies the persona, moving through elite circles with confidence. It’s easy to get sucked in and see just how far the con can go before things inevitably crumble.
Similarly, Elizabeth Holmes of The Dropout convinces Silicon Valley and investors that she has revolutionized healthcare, despite never producing viable technology. Actor Amanda Seyfried gets the audience on her side, at least initially, through her noble intentions.
These narratives resonate with viewers because they explore more than just the mechanics of fraud; they reveal human vulnerabilities, unchecked ambition, and the gray areas of morality. Many scam artists operate in a space where their charm and ambition blur the line between aspiration and criminality, making them both detestable and oddly relatable.
Scammers in the digital age captivate streaming audiences
The digital era has provided fertile ground for con artists to exploit public trust. With social media and online platforms making self-promotion easier than ever, scammers can craft compelling narratives, gain massive followings, and attract investors or supporters with little scrutiny.
Apple Cider Vinegar underscores this phenomenon by illustrating how Gibson used Instagram and her blog to promote a false persona of a young woman who had defied terminal illness through alternative therapies. Her followers, desperate for hope and inspiration, bought into her story—until the cracks began to show.
This same pattern has played out in multiple real-world cases. In The Tinder Swindler, Simon Leviev used dating apps to create the illusion of wealth and exclusivity, conning women into giving him money by spinning a tale of imminent danger. Likewise, Bad Vegan tells the story of Sarma Melngailis, a renowned vegan chef who fell under the influence of a man who convinced her he could make her dog immortal—while simultaneously draining her business of millions.
What makes these scams particularly effective is the way they exploit psychological trust triggers. People tend to believe those who appear confident, successful, and well-connected. The internet allows fraudsters to carefully curate these facades, presenting only the parts of their lives that support their false narratives. In the age of influencer culture, where authenticity is often a performance, the line between real and fabricated success is increasingly difficult to discern.
The psychology behind the fascination with scam stories like ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’
The public’s interest in scammer stories may stem from a mix of schadenfreude—the pleasure derived from others’ misfortune—and a deep curiosity about how people are so easily deceived. Apple Cider Vinegar not only portrays the events of Gibson’s fraud but also delves into her motivations and the dynamics that facilitated her rise. The series invites viewers to consider how a seemingly ordinary woman managed to build an empire on lies, and why so many people were willing to believe in her unverified claims.
Part of this fascination lies in the way these scammers often mirror the same values that society celebrates: ambition, confidence, and the ability to “fake it till you make it.” Many of these fraudsters don’t just take money—they sell a dream. Gibson sold the idea that terminal illness could be cured through willpower and holistic health, just as Elizabeth Holmes sold the dream of a revolutionary medical breakthrough, and Anna Sorokin sold the fantasy of an extravagant, jet-setting lifestyle. These individuals didn’t just trick people—they inspired them, at least temporarily.
There’s also an element of self-reflection in these stories. Viewers may wonder: Would I have fallen for this? The rise of con artists in the digital age forces us to question our susceptibility to manipulation. Social media has blurred the lines between reality and carefully curated fiction, making it easier than ever for deception to thrive. By watching these narratives unfold on screen, audiences engage in a kind of psychological study, trying to understand the traits and tactics that allow fraudsters to flourish.
Moreover, scammer stories provide a sense of moral catharsis. The allure of watching someone get away with fraud is often balanced by the expectation that they will eventually face justice. Whether it’s prison time, public disgrace, or financial ruin, audiences relish the downfall of these larger-than-life figures. Apple Cider Vinegar leans into this expectation, teasing out the unraveling of Gibson’s empire in a way that keeps viewers hooked.
As long as deception exists—and as long as scammers continue to exploit public trust—audiences will likely remain obsessed with these stories. They serve as both cautionary tales and guilty pleasures, offering insight into human nature while delivering all the drama of a high-stakes thriller. Apple Cider Vinegar stands as the latest testament to this enduring fascination, proving that the world’s love affair with scammer narratives is far from over.
