What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, comedian Sasheer Zamata joins the show to discuss Thomas Justice, a once-promising cyclist prodigy turned bank robber when his Olympic dreams were no longer viable. Plus, one woman from East Bay, California, was targeted by a phone scammer, and her bank let it happen. Stay Schemin’! Check out Sasheer’s Comedy Special “First Woman” on 800 Pound Gorilla on August 15th and YouTube on August 29th. https://800poundgorillamedia.com/products/sasheer-zamata-the-f...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 203
What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation?This week, we release the Scam Goddess Live Show! Comedians Paul F. Tompkins, Sydnee Washington, Jacquis Neal, Oscar Montoya, and Jon Gabrus join the show to discuss Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate and scammer behind the tragedy of the OceanGate Submarine implosion! Plus, they regale some hilarious scammer in what’s hot in fraud. Stay Schemin’! CW: There is mention of animal abuse and bestiality. Follow on Instagram: Laci Mosley @divalaci Paul F. Tompkins @pftomp...
Aug 08, 2023•57 min•Ep. 202
Hallelujah Con-gregation! We’re celebrating the 200th episode of Scam Goddess with Amber Ruffin and Lacy Lamar. They discuss how one of the most expensive and rare pink diamonds was stolen from one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the Middle East. Plus, a 68-year-old Los Angeles native has been indicted on five counts of wire fraud related to a fake hemp scheme as he was finishing up a 135-month house arrest for fraud. Stay Schemin’! This was recorded June 12, 2023. Research by Kaelyn ...
Aug 01, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 201
What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, comedian Punkie Johnson joins the show to discuss Daniel Spence, a charming scam artist conning people close to him out of hundreds of thousands of dollars including men he met on Grindr. Plus, a Florida man is arrested after being accused of running scams that involved persuading victims that he was a family member and needed money or gift cards to be sent through the mail. Stay Schemin’! “Love Thang with Punkie Johnson" airs on Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Lo...
Jul 25, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 200
What’s Poppin’ Congregation? This week, we have comedian Kevin Fredericks to discuss the baddest bitches of pirating to have ever sailed the ocean blue, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Plus, a family of scammers from Queens, New York, who stole a house from a dead man in 2010 are finally caught. Stay Schemin’! This episode was recorded 05/24/22 and originally published 6/21/2022. Research by Kaelyn Brandt. Sources: https://queensda.org/family-of-alleged-scam-artists-charged-with-numerous-crimes-includ...
Jul 18, 2023•1 hr 6 min
What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, comedian London Hughes takes over the show to discuss the Fox sisters, who during the 19th century made the spiritual movement popular and became the world’s first ever celebrity mediums. Plus, one Minnesota man who claims he was the victim of political vandalism and harassment has been sentenced to prison after it was discovered it was he, not Antifa, who damaged his property. Stay Schemin’! OFTV's Creative Fund: Comedy Edition - https://of.tv/creators/c...
Jul 11, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 198
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Chris Gethard joins the show to discuss Steven Jay Russell, a notorious conman, fraudster, and hopeless romantic who’s known for walking out the front door of prisons, driven by his desire to be with the love of his life. His life inspired the movie I Love You Phillip Morris staring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor. Plus, an Arizona mom claims that scammers used AI to clone her daughter’s voice so they could demand a $1 million ransom from her while she was s...
Jul 04, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 197
What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, Josiah Johnson joins the show to discuss Sam Bankman-Fried, once considered the biggest wunderkind of crypto, establishing his crypto currency exchange only for it to collapse in November 2022. Plus, find out which celebrity was served with a lawsuit for promoting FTX. Stay Schemin’! Research by Kaelyn Bryant. Sources: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahemerson/2022/11/22/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-bahamas/?sh=1104083853ac https://nypost.com/2022/12/07/how-ftx-...
Jun 27, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 196
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Oscar Montoya joins the show to discuss David Hampton, who became infamous for claiming to be the son of Sidney Poitier, conning his way into the upper echelon of New York City society in the 1980’s. It’s giving Six Degrees of Separation. Plus, Milo Yiannopoulos has been accused of using a Congresswoman’s campaign credit card to purchase a website domain for Kanye West’s 2024 presidential campaign. Stay Schemin’! Scam Goddess Live @ the Elysian Theatre on...
Jun 20, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 195
What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, we are joined by actor-comedian Cameron Esposito to dig into the bisexual DoorDash delivery scammer Joshua Hall, who committed wire fraud by pretending to be multiple family members of the Trump family. Plus, one California-based tattoo studio has been accused by two customers and counting of being scammed out of thousands of dollars for a bad tattoo. Stay Schemin’! Scam Goddess Live @ the Elysian Theatre on Thursday, June 22, 2023 in Los Angeles @ 7:30pm...
Jun 13, 2023•56 min•Ep. 194
What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? This week Franchesca Ramsey is back on the show to regale the dangerous diet plans of former fitness influencer Brittany Dawn, who was sued by the state of Texas over harmful claims of her online fitness brand. Plus, the “TikTok Trickster” of the South has been arrested after stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from women across several states. Stay Schemin’! Scam Goddess Live @ the Elysian Theatre on Thursday, June 22, 2023 in Los Angeles @ 7:30pm PST. Live T...
Jun 06, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 193
What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? Run the World actress Bresha Webb joins the show to discuss Jan Lewandowski, a polka star during the 80’s and 90’s who ran a Ponzi scheme robbing over 400 people of millions of dollars. Plus, one scammer made thousands of dollars off of Frank Ocean fans who bought fake songs generated by AI. Stay Schemin’ ! Scam Goddess Live @ the Elysian Theatre on Thursday, June 22, 2023 in Los Angeles. Live TICKETS SOLD OUT. To livestream go to: https://www.moment.co/scamgoddess ...
May 30, 2023•52 min•Ep. 192
What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? Brittani Nichols, producer and writer on Abbott Elementary joins us to discuss the fraud surrounding the WGA writers strike. Also, we discuss how a group of creators scammed their way into shooting a movie by staging a fake engagement. Plus, a man and woman in the U.K. defrauded 80 victims, mostly gay men, they met on dating apps over a 16-year period. Stay Schemin’! Scam Goddess Live @ the Elysian Theater on Thursday, June 22, 2023 in Los Angeles. Get your tickets ...
May 23, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 191
Con-gregation! In a special What’s Hot in Fraud, comedian Mano Agapion returns to discuss our favorite CON-gressman George Santos being indicted. Also, Laci and Mano discuss Garrison Kenneth Courtney, a former government official who pretended to be a spy and scammed nearly $4.5 million. Plus, conservative media figurehead Alex Jones found himself the victim of an AI prank call. Stay Schemin’! Scam Goddess Live @ the Elysian Theatre on Thursday, June 22, 2023 in Los Angeles. Get your tickets HER...
May 16, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 190
What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, comedians Michelle Buteau and Jordan Carlos join us to discuss Victor Lustig, a con artist of the 1920s who's notorious for selling the Eiffel Tower, twice. Plus, a German photographer has rejected an award from the Sony World Photography Awards after winning with an AI-generated “photograph.” Stay Schemin’! Research by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCES: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/ai-photo-win-sony-scli-intl/index.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/th...
May 09, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 189
What’s Poppin’ Con-gregration? This week, Naomi Ekperigin & Andy Beckerman join us to discuss the film Landscape of Lies. Filmmaker Paul Knight was approached to do to the project not knowing it was created for fraud. Plus, fashion influencers have been accused of embezzlement and failure to pay suppliers and employees. Stay Schemin’! Research by Kaelyn Brandt https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/the-irish-actor-the-iraqi-producer-and-the-gangster-film-scam-1.2506809 https://www.theguardian.c...
May 02, 2023•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 188
What’s poppin’s con-gregation? This week, actor and comedian Carl Tart joins the show to discuss Artur Samarin, an immigrant college student who pretended to be a teenager and attended high school in hopes of achieving his NASA dreams. Plus, a 26-year-old has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after stealing $1.2 million from at least 50 people in an elaborate fraud scheme. Stay Schemin'! Research by Kaelyn Brandt https://news.yahoo.com/texas-grifter-j-nicholas-bryant-041102482.html https://ww...
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 187
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week Vanessa Bayer and Jonah Bayer join the show to discuss Lady Bandit Pearl Hart, one of the wildest bandits in the Wild West. Plus, an investor attempted to purchase Manhattan’s iconic Flatiron Building for $190 million. Stay Schemin’! Research by Kaelyn Brandt https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/03/24/meet-the-mysterious-buyer-of-the-flatiron-building/ https://time.com/4575757/pearl-hart-stagecoach-robber/ https://nypost.com/2021/10/30/the-wild-life-and-d...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 186
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, TV writer Kara Brown joins the show to discuss Threatin, a made up heavy metal band that toured 10 cities across Europe and eventually gained a cult following. Plus, an Italian man has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for a crime that has plagued the book publishing community for years. Stay Schemin’! Research by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCES https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-fraud-4832c57101d507d427ac4516d525e752 https://www.rollingstone.com/cult...
Apr 11, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 185
What’s poppin’ congregation? This week, actor Matt Shively joins the show to discuss the Antwerp Diamond Heist, in which a group of Italian thieves attempted to break into the world’s most impenetrable safe filled diamonds and jewels. Plus, the city of Newark, New Jersey was reportedly scammed into becoming a “sister city” with a fake Hindu nation. Stay Schemin’! Research By Kaelyn Brandt SOURCES: https://www.wired.com/2009/03/ff-diamonds-2/ https://thecinemaholic.com/leonardo-notarbartolo-now-w...
Apr 04, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 184
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Allison Raskin joins the show to discuss Crazy Eddie, a businessman who became popular during the 1970’s and 80’s for his outlandish commercials selling discount electronics. Eventually, he was exposed as the King of Fraud. Plus, a popular social media photographer recently confesses to using AI technology to gain followers. Stay Schemin’! Research by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCES: https://petapixel.com/2023/02/21/popular-instagram-photographer-revealed-as-ai-fra...
Mar 28, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 183
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Amanda Montell & Isa Medina, host of the podcast Sounds Like a Cult, join Laci to discuss Danielle Miller, a former New York socialite turned influencer-scammer, who got mentored by Anna Delvey during her time at Rikers. Plus, a new way to scam takeout customers out of their Thai food and dollars. Stay Schemin’! Research by Kaelyn Brandt Sources: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/danielle-miller-scammer.html https://nymag.com/news/features/45592/ ht...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 182
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Langston Kerman and David Gborie join the show to discuss James Stunt, a flashy, royalty-worshipping ex-billionaire who involved the now King of England in a multi-million-dollar art forgery scandal. Plus, a 69-year-old Californian woman has found herself short of $250,000 after being scammed by online romance scammers, twice. Stay Schemin’! Langston and David host the podcast My Momma Told Me , which is part of Will Ferrell’s and iHeartMedia’s Big Money ...
Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 181
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, comedian Tone Bell joins the show to discuss a group of men in the 1980s who created a sweepstakes company that barely created any winnings. Plus, a 19-year-old has been caught after scamming $37,000 from 439 concerned donors after falsely claiming she had pancreatic cancer. Research by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCES https://nypost.com/2023/01/31/madison-russo-19-charged-in-gofundme-cancer-scam/ https://www.newyorker.com/news/american-chronicles/donald-trump-and-t...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 180
What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, Kelsey McKinney, host of the podcast Normal Gossip joins the show to discuss Tina Duong, a romance scammer who thrives on using her lavish lifestyle to scam others. Plus, a 29-year-old woman has been arrested after enrolling and attending as a student at a New Brunswick, New Jersey high school. Stay Schemin’! Research by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCES: https://vietnam.postsen.com/trends/104163/What-does-the-boyfriend-in-the-case-Tina-Duong-accused-of-scamming-17-b...
Feb 28, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 179
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, comedian Jay Jurden joins the show to discuss David Bunevacz, a frustratingly handsome man who ripped off the well-to-do in Los Angeles with his fake weed vape enterprise. Plus, a Canadian man was arrested shortly after being rescued by the Coast Guard from his capsized boat. Stay Schemin’! Research done by Kaelyn Brandt. SOURCES: https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/wanted-victoria-man-arrested-after-falling-into-sea-from-stolen-yacht-that-flipped-wa...
Feb 21, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 178
What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? For Valentine’s Day, we have the legendary Paula Poundstone on the show to discuss Susan Meachen, an independent romance novelist who faked her death in 2020, miraculously resurrecting in 2022. Plus, a Florida woman has been arrested after a 4-year-long romance scam that resulted in the defrauding of an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. Stay Schemin’! Research done by Kaelyn Brandt. SOURCES: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/16/health/fake-death-romance-novelist-meachen...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 177
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, host of NPR’s It’s Been A Minute, Brittany Luse joins the show to discuss U.S. Rep. George Santos, who is making history as the most fraudulent politician to have been elected to Congress. Plus, a man who has been using Chance the Rapper’s name to scam two victims out of tens of thousands of dollars has been arrested. Stay Schemin’! Research done by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCES https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/accused-con-artist-arrested-after-cbs-2-investig...
Feb 07, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 176
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Claire Fallon & Emma Gray join the show to discuss Edgar LaPlante, who impersonated a chief of the Cherokee Nation across countries during the turn of the 20th century. Plus, a young real estate agent’s reputation is on the line after his identity was stolen and used to stage a New Year’s Eve boat party that never happened. Stay Schemin’! Research done by Kaelyn Brandt. SOURCES: https://www.museolombroso.unito.it/en/photographs-at-liberty-chief-white-elk-...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 175
What’s poppin con-gregration? It’s the iCarly, Scam Goddess crossover we’ve all been waiting for! We got Miranda Cosgrove and Nathan Kress discussing Cassie Chadwick, who at the turn of the 20th century became one of the US’ foremost accomplished fraudsters. Plus, a Florida man is charged with 114 counts of various fraud, after he was caught in an alleged decades-long scheme to defraud Florida State’s Division of Unclaimed Property. Stay Schemin’! Research by Kaelyn Brandt. Sources: https://www....
Jun 14, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 142
