What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDirty Scams
Series · 2025
If you loved Dirty Scams, start with Hustlers (Lorene Scafaria, 2019) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Dirty Scams across media.
What hooked you in Dirty Scams was the way these calculated, high-stakes maneuvers expose the moral gray areas of justice.
Books on the same thread
CATCH THE DEVIL
Pamela Colloff · Book
Explores: deception, financial fraud, victim impact.
If the tactical precision in Dirty Scams captivated you, this deep dive into financial deception mirrors that same fascination with how individual operators dismantle systems through calculated fraud.
Anansi's Gold
Yepoka Yeebo · Book · 2025
Explores: High-stakes deception, Post-colonial political corruption, Financial fraud.
Much like the protagonists in Dirty Scams, this narrative reveals the sheer audacity required to execute massive cons, proving that the best stories involve high-stakes, real-world manipulation.
The Lies I Tell
Julie Clark · Book
Explores: con artists, unreliable narrator, obsession.
You will appreciate how this story echoes the psychological tension of Dirty Scams, focusing on the blurred lines between hunter and con artist when personal stakes begin to rise.
Crook Manifesto
Colson Whitehead · Book
Explores: systemic corruption, 1970s urban decay, criminal underworld.
The gritty, urban atmosphere of this novel complements the tough, street-smart energy found in Dirty Scams, anchoring its complex criminal schemes within a volatile and corrupt 1970s landscape.
Films on the same thread
Crime 101
Bart Layton · Film · 2026
Explores: High-stakes, Redemption, Obsession.
This film captures the same cat-and-mouse thrill present in Dirty Scams, pitting a clever thief against an obsessed investigator in a high-stakes game of professional and personal redemption.
Play Dirty
Shane Black · Film · 2025
Explores: High-stakes robbery, Criminal underworld, Double-crossing.
If the thrill of a perfectly executed heist in Dirty Scams kept you watching, this movie delivers that same adrenaline-fueled satisfaction through elaborate double-crosses and high-stakes criminal maneuvering.
Hustlers
Lorene Scafaria · Film · 2019
Shares 2 threads with Dirty Scams: Female Empowerment, Moral Ambiguity.
This film shares the female-led empowerment and moral ambiguity that defines Dirty Scams, showcasing a crew that uses their collective wit to turn the tables on wealthy targets.
The Rip
Film · 2026
Shares a thread with Dirty Scams: Moral Ambiguity.
This movie explores the same corrosive effects of greed and betrayal seen in Dirty Scams, forcing characters to navigate a world where trust is a liability and corruption prevails.
Podcasts on the same thread
Swindled
Podcast
Explores: Corporate Crime, Financial Crime, Fraud.
If you enjoyed the true crime roots of Dirty Scams, this podcast provides an immersive look at the real-world financial schemes and corporate manipulation that inspire such compelling fiction.
Scam Junkie
Podcast
Explores: scams, con artists, fraud.
This podcast offers a direct perspective on the art of the con, mirroring the instructional, clever tone of Dirty Scams by detailing the mechanics behind legendary, real-life criminal careers.
Common questions
Is Dirty Scams based on true stories?
Yes, the episodes in Dirty Scams are inspired by real-life crimes. Each installment features a different woman using her intelligence to execute a clever scheme, maintaining a fast-paced narrative style throughout the series.
Do I need to watch Dirty Scams in a specific order?
You do not need to watch Dirty Scams in a specific order. Each episode tells a standalone story about a different woman running a smart scam, so you can enjoy the episodes independently.
Does the protagonist always succeed in Dirty Scams?
Yes, in Dirty Scams, the lead character always finishes the job. Regardless of the risks involved in her clever schemes, she uses her smarts to trick others and successfully get what she wants by the end of the episode.
What is the tone of Dirty Scams?
Dirty Scams is a fast-paced show characterized as cool and tough. It focuses on clever women performing high-stakes, smart scams, delivering a narrative that is both intense and focused on the calculated risks taken by the women in each episode.