American Greed: Season 2

Driven by Greed Evidence Files

Robert Gomez

Robert Gomez was a boisterous teen with a wild imagination. His tale about his adoptive father's estate set the wheels in motion for the "Miracle Car Club" scheme. (Source: United States Postal Inspection Service)

James Nichols

As a teenager, James Nichols was well spoken and good-looking. He had ambitions to become an L.A. cop. But, he was too young and instead became a security guard. That's when he met Robert Gomez. The two became fast friends and created a scam that took investors for a ride to the tune of more than $21 million! (Source: United States Postal Inspection Service)

The Miracle Cars Scams Begins

Christ Christian Home Missionary Baptist Church in Compton, Calif., is where the Miracle Cars scam began in 1997. During a Sunday service, Robert Gomez tells the congregation his adoptive father has died and left behind a fleet of cars. Church members bought 16 fictitious cars from Gomez and Nichols for $17,000. (Source: United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri)

Gwen Baker

Gwen Baker signed on as a national finder for Miracle Cars. Baker worked for Gomez and Nichols and, at one point earned $30,000 a month in finder's fees. Baker was sentenced to five years for her part in the scheme. (Source: United States Postal Inspection Service)

Corinne Conway

Corinne Conway was a resident of Higginsville, Missouri. She had a ministry, plus connections throughout the U.S. More than 4,000 people bought into the Miracle Cars scam. Conway was indicted in 2002 and sentenced to 14 months in federal prison. (Source: United States Postal Inspection Service)

The Prosecutor

Prosecutor Curt Bohling said Gomez and Nichols "let the Miracle Cars story sell itself across the country". According to Bohling, the scam had investors in 47 states. At one point, Gomez and Nichols were pulling in a half-million dollars per month. (Source: Kurtis Productions)

Robert Gomez – a.k.a. "Buddha"

While Nichols was hard at work, Robert Gomez used his newfound wealth to pursue his childhood dream . gambling. Gomez (a.k.a "Buddha") was seen as a larger-than-life figure at casinos throughout Los Angeles, often-spending long hours at Pai Gow Poker tables. (Source: John Philips)

The Investigation

Agent Elijah Zuniga was one of the investigators who arrested Robert Gomez at Hustler Casino on June 10, 2002. Gomez was playing with more than $800,000 worth of chips at the time of his arrest. (Source: Kurtis Productions)

Robert Gomez & Nichols

The Miracle Car scheme took in $21 million dollars during its five-year run. Robert Gomez is currently serving his 21-year sentence in a federal prison. James Nichols was the executor of the Miracle Cars estate, funneling money to Los Angeles casinos to hide the cash from investigators. Nichols is currently serving a 24-year sentence. (Source: United States Postal Inspection Service)