Masterminds (2003)
Synopsis
Masterminds was a true crime documentary television series produced in Canada with truTV. As of February 2011, the program is broadcast on History Television and Global TV in Canada and truTV in the United States. Each 30 minute episode features one true crime story. The profiled crimes generally involve large sums of cash or merchandise and, more important, extremely unique and/or elaborate methods of criminal operation which were never before seen by law enforcement agencies. With a few notable exceptions, most criminals profiled in this series were caught within a couple of years of committing their crime.
Network
History
Episodes
The Anthon Forgeries
The story of master forger Mark Hoffmann, who created numerous falsified documents relating to the founding of the Mormon church, and fooled experts all over the world
The Dunbar Heist
Mark Hoffman fabricates more than 600 American historical documents.
The Knightsbridge Heist
Britain's largest heist in history netted the culprit $90 million in jewels, cash and drugs.
Man Called Hollywood
The criminal acts committed by Scott Scurlock, who robbed 19 Seattle banks between 1992 and 1996
Double Crossed
A woman who managed to con over $185,000 out of the residents of Colorado Springs
The Laguna Niguel Heist
Profile of America's most successful robber Amil Dinsio, who made history in 1972 when he raided the richest bank in the US
A Smuggler Supreme
Profile of Brian O'Dea, who used his job as a fisherman to import marijuana into America during the 1980s, making himself $200million in the process
Art Fraud
Two Americans discover the man who pulled off the biggest art fraud in U.K. history.
The Hotel Pierre Heist
On New Years Eve 1972, Bobby Comfort and his gang pulled off the largest hotel safe heist in U.S. history. It happened at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. After rehearsing a number of scenarios and planning their getaway, Comfort and his gang swooped into the hotel at 4am on New Years Eve. After two and a half hours, they greeted the New Year with more than $10 million dollars in cash and jewels.
The Perfect Score
Profile of robber William Smarto who hid inside an Illinois bank until closing time and walked away with over $1,000,000 in loot
Harn
Fraternity brothers use computer trickery to scam the horse-racing world.
A Day at the Races
The criminals who won over $3million by forging winning horse racing tickets on the Breeders' Cup before being caught
The Stopwatch Heist
How the FBI tracked down notorious robber Paddy Mitchell and his gang of thieves who were capable of carrying out heists within 90 seconds
King of Car Thieves
Investigating the capture of Bill Dhaliwal and his gang of elite car thieves who were responsible for stealing high quality cars and selling them to unsuspecting buyers
The Riviera Job
Albert Spaggiari's robbery of the Societe Generale bank in Nice in 1976, in which he stole gold, cash and gems worth millions
The Dinner Set Gang
They were the craftiest cat burglars of the 20th Century. For years, Peter Salerno and his partner Dominick Latella plagued the wealthy along the East Coast. In the summer, they struck homes in the ritzy suburbs of New York and Connecticut. When winter came, they trailed their prey to Palm Beach, . There, waterfront properties gave them a great advantage in avoiding police patrolling the roads by approaching their target homes by boat. Over the years they made millions pilfering from the elite of society. The heirs to multimillion dollar businesses such as DuPont, Macy's, Gimbles, the Vat 69 whiskey distillery and others were easy targets for the duo. Salerno and Latella were at the top of their game, and one of the keys to their success was a technique that other thieves would consider suicide. They broke in and carried out their robberies at a time when they knew security alarms would be inactive - while the families were at home having dinner.
Safe Landing
An insight into the sophisticated gang of thieves, including a jeweller and a former detective, who stole more than $6million in cash and gems over a 10 year period
The Forger's Art
A profile of John Drewe, who was caught in 1997 for dealing in forged paintings that had fooled art experts across the world and earned him millions
Fools Gold
A recreation of the Bre-X goldmine scam in Indonesia that swindled thousands of investors out of their life savings.
The Bandit Queen
How Judy Amar baffled Florida police with a string of robberies in mansions that had strict security measures
A Gem of a Heist
No description available.
Details
Original Title
Masterminds
Status
Ended
Seasons
4
Episodes
70