Zach Horwitz, known by his stage name Zach Avery, landed himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The actor turned scam artist is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after confessing to orchestrating a staggering $650 million Ponzi scheme that rocked Tinseltown. The sordid tale of deception and betrayal is set to be unveiled in the upcoming Prime Video docuseries titled “Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam,” scheduled to premiere on October 17, 2025.
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Directed by the two-time Emmy nominee Rebecca Chaiklin, the three-part series delves deep into Horwitz’s transformation from a struggling actor to the mastermind behind a massive financial fraud that left hundreds of victims in its wake. The exclusive trailer for the show features candid interviews with Horwitz’s wife, Mallory, as well as friends, who recount the shocking turn of events with raw emotion and disbelief. Mallory reflects on their early days together, expressing her initial admiration and love for Zach, while friends grapple with the harsh reality of his deceit.
Before his downfall, Zachary J. Horwitz, under the alias Zach Avery, was making strides in his acting career, appearing in films like “Last Moment of Clarity” (2020) and thrillers such as “The Gateway” and “The Devil Below” in 2021, as per IMDb records. However, behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, a darker scheme was unfolding. Horwitz’s company, 1inMM Capital, became the vehicle through which he lured investors into believing they were funding lucrative deals with major streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO for international film rights.
The meticulously crafted facade began to crumble in 2021 when federal authorities apprehended Horwitz in Los Angeles on charges of defrauding investors. His operation involved sending elaborate annual reports and forged contracts to create an illusion of success, ultimately raking in millions from unsuspecting individuals seeking returns on their investments. By the time the scheme collapsed in 2019, investors were left reeling with losses exceeding $227 million in principal.
Following legal proceedings, Horwitz pleaded guilty to securities fraud and was sentenced to two decades in federal prison in 2022, along with a hefty restitution order of over $230 million. Prosecutors highlighted the sheer scale of the Ponzi structure, which duped even Horwitz’s closest companions. The aftermath saw civil enforcement actions, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission imposing further financial penalties in a bid to compensate victims and recover funds.
As recovery efforts continue, the ramifications of Horwitz’s elaborate scam are far-reaching, with victims still grappling with the consequences of their financial losses. The chilling narrative of greed, deception, and shattered trust unfolds in “Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam,” inviting viewers into the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry’s most notorious Ponzi scheme. Premiering on Prime Video on October 17, 2025, the docuseries offers a cautionary tale of ambition gone awry and serves as a stark reminder of the perils lurking beneath Hollywood’s glittering facade.