Ep 46. The Royal Scam: Kings of Counterfeit

In season 5, episode 46 of American Greed titled "The Royal Scam: Kings of Counterfeit," the focus is on a group of criminals who masterminded a massive counterfeiting operation. The episode delves into the story of Frank Bourassa, who was the head of the operation. Bourassa was a Canadian citizen who, with the help of his associates, managed to flood the United States with fake $20 bills.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Bourassa, who was a perpetual con artist. He had a history of fraud and scams, but he never wanted to get caught. So, when he discovered that the U.S. Secret Service was always on the lookout for new counterfeiters, he decided to take things to the next level. Bourassa spent years perfecting his counterfeiting techniques, and he eventually managed to create some of the most convincing fake bills anyone had ever seen.

The episode explores how Bourassa managed to carry out his scam, taking viewers through the various steps he took to create fake money. He used an offset press, which was a tool typically used by legitimate printing companies, to create sheets of fake bills. Bourassa was able to obtain this press without arousing any suspicion because he told the seller that he was starting his own printing business. Bourassa also managed to get access to the special ink used to print real U.S. bills. Using this ink, he was able to create fake bills that looked almost identical to the real thing.

Once Bourassa had created the fake bills, he needed to get them into circulation. He had help from a group of associates, who would distribute the money to various people and businesses across the country. The group carefully planned their operations, making sure that no one would notice the sudden influx of fake bills. They also spent a lot of time and money to ensure that the bills looked and felt like the real thing.

As the episode progresses, viewers learn more about Bourassa's criminal network and how they managed to evade the law for so long. The Secret Service was aware of the widespread counterfeiting taking place, but they were never able to catch Bourassa or any of his associates. The group was incredibly careful and always stayed ahead of the law.

However, Bourassa's luck eventually ran out. In 2004, the Secret Service finally managed to track him down and he was arrested in Canada. The episode explores the subsequent court case, as Bourassa tried to fight extradition to the United States. The case was complicated by the fact that the Canadian government had already seized a significant amount of money Bourassa had made from his counterfeiting operation. The episode delves into the legal back-and-forth between the United States and Canada, as well as the ways in which Bourassa continued to try to defend himself.

Overall, "The Royal Scam: Kings of Counterfeit" is a compelling episode of American Greed that offers a fascinating look into one of the biggest counterfeiting operations in U.S. history. The episode is well-paced and informative, providing viewers with a detailed understanding of how Bourassa and his associates were able to evade the law for so long. Whether you're interested in true crime or just looking for an engaging documentary to watch, this episode of American Greed is well worth checking out.