The Most Compelling True Crime Docs on Financial Crime
From Ponzi schemes to crypto theft, these documentaries expose the criminals behind billions in fraud
The Most Compelling True Crime Documentaries on Financial Crime
Financial crime documentaries have become some of the most gripping content in true crime entertainment, offering audiences a window into how billions of dollars vanish and what drives people to commit massive fraud. These films combine investigative journalism, real interviews, and archival footage to expose the criminals and systems that enable them.
Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street (Netflix, 2023)
Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme stands as one of history's largest financial frauds. This four-episode Netflix documentary, directed by Joe Berlinger, meticulously documents how Madoff defrauded investors of over $64 billion. Through real-life footage, interviews with investigators, employees, and whistleblowers, the series builds a damning portrait of a man described as a "financial serial killer." The documentary doesn't just explain the mechanics of the fraud—it explores the human toll on victims and the institutional failures that allowed it to continue for decades.
Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (Netflix, 2023)
The cryptocurrency world collided with mystery in this 90-minute documentary directed by Luke Sewell. It investigates the death of Gerald Cotten, CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX, and the subsequent disappearance of millions in bitcoin from investors. The film raises questions about whether Cotten's death was truly accidental and examines the largely unregulated crypto industry that made such massive theft possible.
