“Illusions for Sale: The Rise and Fall of Generation Zoe” is a documentary directed by Matías Gueilburt. It is written by Nicolas Gueilburt.
Leonardo Cositorto was the mastermind behind “Generation Zoe,” an association of individuals seeking business opportunities and education. This organization, which began in Argentina, quickly spread throughout Latin America and even reached Spain.
“Generation Zoe” operated on speculation, risk, and the lure of opportunity, culminating in a Ponzi scheme where bringing in more friends equated to higher earnings. As is the case with such pyramid schemes, the entire structure eventually collapsed due to its unsustainable nature.
To add a twist, the financial aspect of the operation included a trading venture with cryptocurrencies that turned out to be nothing more than a simulation.
What Was “Generation Zoe”?
“Generation Zoe” was a complex educational entity offering various packages on diverse topics, all centered around knowledge, training, and ultimately, business opportunities. The promise was to transform a dull life into one filled with success, travel, and possessions—a tempting offer indeed.
The “trick” lay in recruiting more people into the organization. By taking a small portion of the money brought in by new recruits and returning some to earlier participants, the scheme kept running—a classic Ponzi structure. Remarkably, the company grew by 8,000% in 2021, generating $40 to $50 million in revenue per month.
The Man Behind It All: Leonardo Cositorto
Leonardo Cositorto was the founder and spiritual leader of this system of spiritual and business growth. Ultimately, the scheme ended in scandal, and the fraud was exposed. Cositorto, a man with immense charisma and persuasive power, captivated everyone he encountered with his populist and approachable rhetoric.
He recognized the opportunity to become wealthy by exploiting people’s needs, blending this with a form of cultural spiritualism that turned his pitch into a goldmine.
About the Documentary
In “,” the documentary features extensive interviews with victims of the scheme—people who invested their savings into this system. It also includes candid insights from Leonardo Cositorto himself, who discusses how he managed the company and the lifestyle he led during those days.
The documentary excels in its classical approach to recounting scams, presented without drama or violence, which lends it a substantial degree of credibility.
Our Opinion
“Illusions for Sale: The Rise and Fall of Generation Zoe” is a well-executed documentary that objectively presents the facts. With archival footage, an engaging narrative pace, and numerous testimonies from those affected, it paints a vivid picture of those tumultuous times.
Catch “Illusions for Sale: The Rise and Fall of Generation Zoe” on Netflix and delve into a gripping tale of ambition, charisma, and deception.
