Scamfluencers Episode 169: Guo Wengui – The Temu Trump

Release Date: July 28, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Scamfluencers, hosts Sachi Kol and Sarah Hagie delve deep into the intricate web spun by Guo Wengui, a figure who seamlessly transitions from a Chinese billionaire to a self-styled whistleblower and crypto scammer. Titled "Guo Wengui: The Temu Trump," this episode unravels the rise and fall of a man whose influence and deceit have left a significant mark on multiple sectors, including politics, finance, and media.

Background of Guo Wengui

Guo Wengui, once a prominent real estate mogul in Beijing, began his ascent in the business world around 2006. Originating from humble beginnings, including a stint in prison for fraud, Guo leveraged his time behind bars to forge valuable connections. Upon his release, he swiftly climbed the ranks in China's elite circles, amassing substantial wealth and power.

• Early Success: By 2014, Guo's net worth soared to an estimated $2.3 billion, making him one of China's richest individuals. His opulent lifestyle included a $230 million lakeside mansion and an extensive collection of custom Brioni suits.

• Corruption Accusations: Guo's aggressive stance against rivals often involved leveraging his connections within the Chinese Ministry of State Security. For instance, he orchestrated the downfall of a vice mayor by exposing a sex tape, showcasing his ruthless tactics to eliminate obstacles in his path.

Exile and Rebranding as a Dissident (2014-2017)

In January 2015, amid mounting scrutiny and legal pressures from the Chinese government, Guo fled China, relocating first to Hong Kong, then London, and ultimately settling in New York. Leaving behind his family and vast empire, Guo sought refuge in the United States, where he began rebranding himself from a disgraced insider to a fearless whistleblower against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

• Strategic Positioning: By January 2017, with the political climate in the U.S. shifting towards anti-China sentiments under President Trump, Guo capitalized on the opportunity. He invested in a $68 million Manhattan penthouse, acquired a $37 million yacht, and secured a membership at Mar-a-Lago, positioning himself close to American power brokers.

• Public Persona: Guo launched a YouTube channel, presenting himself as an authentic dissident. "He knows exactly how to pitch himself as an insider turned whistleblower," Sarah notes, capturing Guo's strategic manipulation of his image to garner support.

Notable Quote:

[03:09] Sachi Kol: "You know they're making him even bigger."

Alliance with Steve Bannon

A pivotal moment in Guo's saga was his alliance with Steve Bannon, a former White House strategist known for his staunch anti-CCP stance. September 2017 marked their collaboration, where Bannon saw Guo as a valuable asset in his mission to undermine China.

• The Rule of Law Society: Together, they founded this nonprofit aimed at exposing CCP corruption. Guo pledged $100 million, with Bannon taking the role of chairman for a $1 million consulting fee. However, as the episode reveals, these funds were seldom allocated as promised, with Guo redirecting them towards personal gain and future schemes.

Notable Quote:

[17:06] Sachi Kol: "This is two dumb bitches nodding to each other and saying, exactly."

The Rule of Law Society and GTV

In their quest to dismantle the CCP, Guo and Bannon launched GTV, a video streaming news platform purportedly using advanced technology to bypass Chinese censorship. However, GTV served a dual purpose:

• Media Front: It became a hub for conspiracy theories and anti-CCP rhetoric, with Bannon's "War Room" podcast gaining prominence on the platform.

• Investment Scheme: GTV was also a facade for a massive investment scheme targeting Chinese expats and dissidents. Guo sold unregistered stock offerings, falsely assuring investors they would not lose their money—a promise that was inherently illegal.

Notable Quote:

[19:56] Sarah Hagie: "More than 5,500 people in shares of GTV, raising over $450 million for the company. To be clear, that's roughly $82,000 worth of stock per person that Guo's fleecing."

Investment Schemes and Crypto Scams

Guo's financial empire expanded through dubious ventures:

• Cryptocurrency Exchange: He launched a crypto exchange claiming his currency was backed by 20% gold, a claim never substantiated. This exclusivity rendering the coins worthless if the exchange collapsed.

• G Club Memberships: Offering lavish memberships with high initiation fees (up to $50,000) for access to exclusive services and products. Despite claiming 25,000 members, actual active memberships were under 6,000, yet Guo amassed $250 million from these fees.

Notable Quote:

[31:24] Sachi Kol: "No one is learning their lesson with."

Legal Troubles and Charges

Guo's indiscretions eventually caught up with him:

• SEC Charges (September 2021): The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged GTV with illegally selling unregistered cryptocurrency and stock, leading to a $535 million settlement without admission of guilt.

• Debt Issues: A New York court ordered Guo to repay $116 million for defaulted loans, resulting in hefty fines when he disregarded court orders by moving his yacht to international waters.

• Bankruptcy Filing (2022): Claiming personal net worth between $50 and $100,000, Guo declared bankruptcy, blaming the CCP for his downfall.

Notable Quote:

[24:28] Sachi Kol: "He said, quote, after watching him for 20 minutes, I realize this guy is just a swindler. He's not somebody who wants to fight for democracy or freedom in China. He just wants to use his influence and his impact to cheat people for money."

The Betrayal and Testimony of Ya Lee

One of Guo's most fervent supporters, Ya Lee, played a crucial role in his operations as an accountant and translator. However, as Guo's schemes unraveled, so did Lee's faith in him.

• Legal Pressure: Faced with coercion to sign fraudulent affidavits, Lee recognized the extent of Guo's deception. Realizing the harm caused by his involvement, she collaborated with U.S. authorities, providing vital testimony against Guo.

• Courtroom Drama: In June 2024, Lee took the stand during Guo's trial, confronting the man she once idolized. Her testimony was instrumental in securing Guo's conviction on multiple fraud charges.

Notable Quote:

[39:09] Sarah Hagie: "She is extremely nervous. Not because she might go to jail. She signed a non-prosecution agreement so she wouldn't be charged for any crimes she committed while working for Guo."

Conclusion and Insights from Hosts

The episode culminates with Kol and Hagie reflecting on the broader implications of Guo's story:

• Ease of Scamming: They discuss the alarming simplicity with which Guo managed to deceive thousands, amassing over a billion dollars through fraudulent schemes masked as political activism.

• Psychology of Influence: The hosts emphasize how charisma, authority, and the facade of legitimacy can manipulate individuals into parting with significant financial resources.

• Political Exploitation: The collaboration between Guo and figures like Steve Bannon highlights how political agendas can be weaponized for personal gain, intertwining activism with financial fraud.

Notable Quotes:

[51:05] Sachi Kol: "This person is too rich and too evil for me to be like, yeah, yeah, this is a dissident. And generally, when you think of an activist or a dissident or someone going against the government, they're not fleecing people out of billions of dollars."

[54:03] Sachi Kol: "Money can't buy you class."

Key Takeaways

• Guo Wengui's Dual Identity: Transitioned from a wealthy real estate mogul to a masked whistleblower, leveraging media and political alliances to perpetrate large-scale financial fraud.

• Impact of Charisma and Influence: Demonstrates how influential figures can exploit trust and political sentiments to deceive and manipulate masses.

• Legal Consequences: Highlighting the eventual legal repercussions of such scams, underscoring the importance of due diligence and skepticism in financial investments.

• Human Element: The betrayal by Ya Lee serves as a stark reminder of the personal toll and moral dilemmas faced by individuals entangled in fraudulent operations.

Final Thoughts

"Guo Wengui: The Temu Trump" serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of influence, the ease of manipulation in the digital age, and the blurred lines between activism and exploitation. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Scamfluencers sheds light on the dark underbelly of modern scams, urging listeners to remain vigilant in an increasingly interconnected world.

Produced by:

• Alex Burns
• Additional Writing: Sachi Kol & Sarah Hagie
• Story Editor: Eric Thurm
• Fact Checking: Meredith Clark
• Sound Design: James Morgan
• Additional Audio Assistance: Augustine Lim
• Music Supervisor: Scott Velasquez for Frisson Sync

For more insights into the world of scams and deceit, subscribe to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.