Ep 11. Vintage Wine Fraud

In season 9 episode 11 of American Greed, viewers are taken on a journey through the world of high-end vintage wine fraud. The episode focuses on the case of Rudy Kurniawan, a con man who was able to scam his way into the elite world of wine collectors and dealers and make millions of dollars by selling counterfeit bottles of rare and expensive wines.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Kurniawan, a young Indonesian immigrant who had a passion for wine and a talent for blending different wines to create new flavors. He quickly became known among collectors and dealers in the wine world for his ability to create rare and highly sought-after vintages of wine.

However, as viewers soon discover, Kurniawan's talent for blending and creating wine was not the only reason for his success. In fact, Kurniawan had been acquiring large quantities of old, empty bottles of high-end wines and filling them with cheaper, inferior wines before re-sealing them and selling them as rare and expensive vintages.

Viewers watch as Kurniawan's scheme begins to unravel, with several collectors and dealers starting to question the authenticity of the wines he was selling. Eventually, the FBI becomes involved in the case, leading to a raid of Kurniawan's home in 2012.

During the raid, investigators discovered a massive operation that included a wine counterfeiting factory, complete with labels, corks, and bottle caps. They also found a library of rare wine books and magazines, along with notes and receipts for counterfeit wine sales totaling millions of dollars.

The episode goes on to detail the trial of Kurniawan, who was eventually found guilty of wine fraud and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Viewers learn about the various techniques and methods Kurniawan used to create his counterfeit wines, including his use of chemical additives to give inferior wines the taste and appearance of rare vintages.

Throughout the episode, experts and industry insiders weigh in on the impact of Kurniawan's scheme on the wine world and the various ways such fraud can be prevented. Viewers are left with a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of verifying the authenticity of high-end wines.

Overall, season 9 episode 11 of American Greed offers a fascinating look at the world of wine fraud and the lengths to which some people will go to make a quick buck. With its blend of suspenseful storytelling and expert analysis, the episode is sure to educate and entertain fans of true crime and wine alike.