Coco Berthmann became internet-famous by sharing her story of surviving sex trafficking as a young child growing up in Germany. She was sheltered and supported by families in Utah, where her faith and fame intertwined. But in 2022, Coco was arrested for raising money for a fake cancer diagnosis, and people began to doubt everything that she had ever said. Is her life story truly one big elaborate lie? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sara Ganim and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning showrunner Karen Given investigate in Dear Media’s first true crime podcast.
Coco Berthmann’s star is rising. She's young and pretty. And her eagerness to talk about the abuse she endured makes her a rarity in the anti-child sex trafficking space. For a while, it seems like Coco is everywhere, sharing her story of survival at international conferences, on podcasts and to her tens of thousands of social media followers. But in January of 2022, Coco shares some distressing news: She’s been diagnosed with a rare cancer. Her odds of survival are not good.
Just weeks later, Coco is arrested and charged with communications fraud. And people start asking – was anything Coco said actually true?
If you or a loved one is struggling, help is available:
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 855-897-5910
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Resources
Mental Health Hotline: 866-903-3787
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