Jan Lewan: From Polka Dreams to Ponzi Schemes | 176

Scamfluencers

Wondery

Society & Culture

4.1 • 7K Ratings

🗓️ 1 September 2025

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When Jan Lewan escapes to the United States from Poland in the 1970s, he uses his musical talent to become a larger than life polka star and pursue the American dream. Fueled by his charm and charisma, he performs for presidents, gets nominated for a Grammy, and attracts a devoted following. But like any good showbiz story, there’s a dark underbelly to Jan’s world: he uses his fanbase to fuel a Ponzi scheme. But when his wife’s pageant competition gets mired in a mysterious scandal, Jan’s shady dealings come to light, and his career unravels in bitterness and tragedy. Until, that is, a legit Hollywood star steps in to give him an unlikely third act.

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Listen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hey, Scam Fluencers fans, Sarah here.
0:02.8	If you love the drama, deception, and mind-blowing reveals, Wondery Plus is your VIP ticket to more.
0:09.2	Add free episodes, early access to the juiciest scandals, and deep dives you won't find anywhere else.
0:15.1	Get the full Scampluencers experience. Sign up today.
0:19.2	A heads up to our listeners.
0:20.6	This story includes a brief mention of suicide.
0:23.3	Please listen with care.
0:30.4	Sarah, is there any musician who could trick you into a Ponzi scheme?
0:34.5	Yeah, I feel like it would be someone who would be really unlikely to need something from me, like Kate Bush or something. Oh, that's a good one. Like one of these gentle, beautiful women that makes people cry, I'd be like, yeah, of course, I'll do whatever you want, Kate. This is what I like about us. We have such different answers to these sorts of questions.
0:55.2	And I know what your answer is going to be.
0:56.6	What is it going to be?
0:57.4	It's going to be 50 cents. Yeah, 100% is going to be 50 cents. I love him. He is evil and I love him. But if he asked me for any amount of money, I would offer it to him alongside my spirit and soul and perhaps other things that we can't talk about on the podcast.
0:53.7	Well, I ask because today we have our very first Stan scammer,
1:15.0	someone who used the parasycial relationship his audience had with him for financial evil.
1:23.0	It's April 1992, and Pete Chacho is in Italy with his band.
1:27.7	Pete is a slim, middle-aged accordion player with curly hair and a well-groomed mustache.
1:32.7	He's been partying his way through Europe as part of a big group trip with their fans.
1:37.0	But when they reach Sorrento, Pete's boss pulls him aside and says he needs Pete's help.
1:42.1	Pete is part of a popular American polka band led by Jan Levant.
1:46.3	Jan is a charismatic, 50-something Polish-American man
1:49.4	with an angelic, round face and a twinkle in his eye.
1:52.9	Jan is so beloved, he actually has a side business arranging trips like this one
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Wondery, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Wondery and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.