How does a Brazilian immigrant become an American Uber Mafia Queen? Buckle up, 'cause Niles Abston (FXX's Dave) stops by to help tell the story of Priscila Barbosa who finessed the gig economy to make more than $780,000 before it all came crashing down. And remember Con-gregation, if your Uber driver is lit you don't have to sit! Stay schemin'!
This story was primarily reported by Wired Magazine's Lauren Smiley in her article, "Priscila, Queen of the Rideshare Mafia"
Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes": https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-press
On Sunday, Sept. 22nd Laci will be hosting the Scam Goddess 5 Year Anniversary Live Show @ the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles. Buy tickets at https://regentdtla.com/tm-event/scam-goddess-live-five-year-anniversary/
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Niles Abston: @thenilesabstonshow
Research by Kaelyn Brandt.
SOURCES:
https://www.wired.com/story/priscila-queen-of-the-rideshare-mafia/
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
On today’s episode, Laci is joined by Emmy Award winner Lamorne Morris and his hilarious co-host, comedian, writer, and director Kyle Shevrin from their podcast The Lamorning After. Together, they serve up laughs as they follow the trifling story of 49th place Jamaican Olympic table tennis player Michael Hyatt and how he used his ping pong passion to scam a lot of people out of a lot of money. Plus, the "Scammers of the Week" are dressed as bears, proving once and for all that only YOU can stop bear insurance fraud. Stay schemin'!
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Lamorne Morris: @lamorne
Kyle Shevrin: @kyleshevrin
Research by Kathryn Doyle
SOURCES
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/business/michael-hyatt-table-tennis-fraud.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eU4.U0iL.Q24u8HqtEavu&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/alleged-financial-scam-detailed/article_4de2830e-d8cb-11e8-b6bc-13e9b4921b3d.html
https://olympics.com/en/athletes/michael-douglas-hyatt
https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/sports/jamaica-gain-promotion-at-world-tt-championships
https://www.pressreader.com/jamaica/jamaica-gleaner/20161231/281749859023872?srsltid=AfmBOoofa99jOcaVi93Po_Lv33nlWS4kgdgutBF5L3YUjemtvJCrvuaK
https://startupsavant.com/startup-center/spin-origin-story
https://www.npr.org/2024/11/14/nx-s1-5191741/bear-costume-insurance-fraud
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2024/release056-2024.cfm
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
This week on Fraud Friday, Laci is joined live at Chicago's Den Theatre by Sydnee Washington, Skyler Higley, and Ashley Ray to unpack the infamous scam that rocked the Windy City and the nation, the Jussie Smollett case. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 01/08/2024)
This was recorded in Nov. 11th 2023.
CON-gregation, catch Laci's new TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Sydnee Washington: @justsydbw
Skyler Higley: @skylerhigley
Ashley Ray: @theashleyray
Research by Kaelyn Brandt, Emily Jones, and Laci Mosley
SOURCES:
https://nationalpost.com/news/man-arrested-after-faking-20-heart-attacks-to-avoid-paying-restaurant-bills#:~:text=A%2050%2Dyear%2Dold%20man,newspaper%20El%20Pais%20and%20EFE.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/11/30/jussie-smollett-hate-crime-trial/
https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/10/us/jussie-smollett-sentencing-trial/index.html#:~:text=Former%20%E2%80%9CEmpire%E2%80%9D%20actor%20Jussie%20Smollett,hate%20crime%20in%20January%202019
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-viz-jussie-smollett-incident-night-details-htmlstory.html
https://people.com/crime/jussie-smollett-wears-rope-around-his-neck-police-video-footage/
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2023-03-03/jussie-smollett-appeal-conviction-sentencing
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/28/us/jussie-smollett.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-47711535
https://www.vox.com/2019/2/17/18228444/jussie-smollett-attack-hate-crime-arrest-hoax-empire
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/jessie-smollett-letter-brothers-attack/
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-commentary/jussie-smollett-hero-hoax-hate-crime-sentencing-1318293/
https://www.al.com/news/2021/12/jussie-smollett-testifies-he-did-drugs-made-out-with-abimbola-osundairo.html
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
On today’s episode, Laci is joined by Ambie Award-winning podcaster Ronald Young Jr. to unpack the wild Graceland grift — the one that had Priscilla Presley firing up Microsoft Paint to fight back against scammer Lisa Jeanine Findley. Turns out, in Memphis, Tennessee, all you need to fake-sell someone else’s house is a mailbox and a dream. Plus, title pirates are on the rise. Stay frosty, friends! Stay schemin'!
CON-gregation, catch Laci's new TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Ronald Young Jr.: @ohitsbigron
Research by Kathryn Doyle
SOURCES
https://apnews.com/article/graceland-elvis-presley-fraud-foreclosure-sale-c1a821d32c64c06afbeef277f0a793d7
https://apnews.com/article/graceland-elvis-presley-auction-lawsuit-riley-keough-4c5d2dda1c189997319d331794e8f8d0
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/28/arts/music/graceland-fraud-identity-thief-emails.html
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/woman-accused-of-trying-to-steal-graceland-enters-plea-deal/article_4b2c8136-f37d-11ef-88cc-079a4093f353.html
https://people.com/missouri-woman-scheme-sell-elvis-presley-graceland-pleads-guilty-mail-fraud-11686801
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local-businesses-suffer-from-damage-amidst-recent-protests/article_a10cba7c-0718-50a1-af5a-facd0dcbd264.html
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6361972716112
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2024/05/23/graceland-foreclosure-how-did-it-happen/73802992007/
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
In this week’s Fraud Friday, Frankie Quiñones (The Fool, Creator of CholoFit) joins Laci us to discuss the disappearance of 18 barrels of bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, the makers of the renowned Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. Plus, scammers capitalize off fake high-end whiskey being sold in local liquor stores across the nation. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 03/07/2022)
CON-gregation, catch Laci's new TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Frankie Quiñones: @frankiequinones
Research By Kaelyn Brandt.
SOURCES:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/06/dining/drinks/fake-bourbon.html
https://craigcalcaterra.com/blog/the-pappy-van-winkle-heist-that-wasnt2710188/
https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/inside-the-great-pappy-van-winkle-heist
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-06-29/the-pappy-van-winkle-bandit-speaks-and-says-he-didn-t-do-it
https://www.grunge.com/450262/the-truth-about-the-pappygate-bourbon-heist/
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
On today’s episode, Laci is joined by pasta inventor and OG podcaster Dan Pashman (The Sporkful) to dive into a seafood scandal affecting shrimp lovers everywhere. That’s right—Laci and Dan don their lab coats and discover the investigative firm SeaD to uncover the widespread shrimp fraud impacting restaurants across the country and hurting small businesses. Plus, thieves pull off the ultimate heist, making off with 100,000 eggs. Stay schemin'!
CON-gregation, catch Laci's new TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Make sure to sink your teeth into Dan's pasta tour of Italy tour with fans! Pashmans Pasta Pilgrimage
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Dan Pashman: @thesporkful
Research by Kathryn Doyle
SOURCES
https://www.yahoo.com/news/shrimp-fraud-found-rampant-many-173137438.html
https://news.fsu.edu/news/science-technology/2023/03/23/prawn-broker-fsu-researchers-develop-shrimp-authenticity-test/
https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-EH/sanitarian/retailfood/LDHACT372CrawfishandShrimpMenuLabeling.pdf
https://www.seadconsulting.com/genetic-testing-to-identify-seafood-species
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/07/health/fish-mislabeling-investigation-oceana/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/05/us/pennsylvania-egg-theft-hnk/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/us/eggs-stolen-pennsylvania-shortage.html
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/28/subway-tuna-lawsuit-dismissed
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
In this week’s Fraud Friday, Jameela Jamil (The Good Place, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) joins Laci in studio to discuss the basics on THE BASIC- Caroline Calloway. They dig into Jameela's earliest stint teaching English, and both become very afraid when they learn how fortune tellers scam their clients out of money. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 03/30/2020)
CON-gregation, catch Laci's new TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Jameela Jamil: @jameelajamil
Research By Sharilyn Vera.
SOURCES:
The CUT – The story of Caroline Calloway and her ghost writer Natalie
VICE — Influencer Caroline Calloway Isn’t a Scammer, Just a Self-Obsessed Mess
Caroline’s instagram- (where she is currently spiraling)
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katienotopoulos/caroline-calloway-instagram-influencer-tour-canceled-scam
https://www.wmagazine.com/story/caroline-calloway-creativity-workshop
https://www.pajiba.com/web_culture/the-case-of-caroline-calloway-and-her-creativity-workshop-tour.php
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/a3wwy4/cambridges-most-controversial-instagram-celebrity-gets-the-last-laugh
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
On today’s episode, Laci is joined by stand-up writer, actor, and comedian Dewayne Perkins (The Blackening, One of Them Days) to dive into the con of the century, unraveling the web of lies and false promises spun by John Ackah Blay-Miezah. In a story so wild it could be straight out of a movie—one that Dewayne himself might have written—they also discover how Shirley Temple got caught up in the chaos. Plus, Laci shares a surprising encounter with a cop who asked her out while on duty. Stay schemin'!
CON-gregation, catch Laci's new TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Make sure to catch Dewayne's new TV Show, THE STUDIO on Apple TV +
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Dewayne Perkins: @dewayneperkins
Research by Kathryn Doyle
SOURCES
https://www.nowherebookshop.com/book/9781635574739?srsltid=AfmBOooPXVErUx3va3mNR1juGoL13-DNqvNPZ4Hhlr70mZr7QcRrxUHT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbZ2TlRVqNA
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/12/03/con-artist-global-scam-ghana-anansis-gold/
https://www.npr.org/2013/05/22/186048342/how-that-nigerian-email-scam-got-started
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-conman-who-duped-thousands-with-a-patently-absurd-story/
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/aug/18/yepoka-yeebo-anansis-gold-ghanaian-conman
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
In this week’s Fraud Friday, Naomi Ekperigin (Mythic Quest, Family Switch) joins us to discuss how a sexy credit card con artist stole one million dollars out of the ex-wife of a former NBA star. Plus, an Italian hospital worker gets paid for doing nothing for 15 years. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 06/07/2021)
CON-gregation, catch Laci's new TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Naomi Ekperigin: @blacktresscomedy
Research By Kaelyn Brandt.
SOURCES:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/15/style/serial-con-artist-tracii-hutsona.html
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/serial-con-artist-charged-embezzlement-scheme
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/1368996/download
https://www.docketbird.com/court-documents/USA-v-Vician/JUDGMENT-AND-COMMITMENT-by-Judge-Gary-A-Feess-as-to-Defendant-Tracii-Lynne-Show-Vician-1-Count-s-1-10s-13ss-1s-6s-1ss-6ss-7s-9s-7ss-12ss-On-the-Government-039-s-motion-all-remaining-count-of-the-underlying-indictment-information-are-ord-ered-dismisse/cacd-2:2008-cr-00058-405099-00097
https://media.local10.com/document_dev/2019/07/17/Bacon%20Bitch%20vs%20Breakfast%20Bitch_1563388524609_22109233_ver1.0.pdf
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/23/world/europe/italy-hospital-worker-15-years.html
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/crime/san-diego-restaurant-owner-arrested-accused-of-stealing-more-than-1m-joumana-kidd-breakfast-bitch-jason-kidd/509-1c9e5ae8-c727-436b-9e73-f65b364b78c6
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
On today’s episode, Laci is joined by stand-up comedian Abby Govindan to dive into the wildest and most ridiculous ways people have been caught smuggling drugs. A recent toupee smuggle struggle led them to the discovery of many more fails that led many folks to jail. You won’t believe how many everyday items can be made from cocaine! Laci and Abby rate their favorite smuggle fails, from dinnerware and high heels to Jesus. Stay schemin'!
CON-gregation, catch Laci's new TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Abby Govindan: @abbygovindan
Research by Kathryn Doyle
SOURCES
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cocaine-toupee-narco-wig/
https://www.npr.org/2019/07/17/742768864/drug-in-a-rug-is-that-a-bag-of-cocaine-under-your-toupee
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/16/man-held-in-spain-over-attempt-to-smuggle-cocaine-under-his-wig
https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2019/07/16/inenglish/1563277743_245169.html
https://www.thelocal.es/20140103/women-smuggled-drugs-under-wigs
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cocaine-under-wigs-smuggling-brazil-spain_n_4536776
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/15/woman-cocaine-breast-implants-arrested-madrid
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20705742
https://www.immigroup.com/topics/top-11-most-creative-drug-smuggling-attempts/
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2008/06/05/religion-news-police-confiscate-jesus/48553415007/
https://www.chron.com/lifestyle/houston-belief/article/cocaine-jesus-statue-seized-by-agents-in-laredo-1777599.php
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43005948
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/11/91-year-old-sydney-man-charged-over-importing-5kg-of-cocaine-in-soap-bars
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/4948988/Cocaine-cast-man-arrested-at-Spanish-airport.html
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/woman-fly-chile-spain-suitcases-made-cocaine-article-1.372793
https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/manolo-blahnik-shoes-made-of-cocaine-northern-spain
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35082219
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1163468/Spanish-police-seize-42-piece-dinner-set--entirely-cocaine.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8998-gangs-turn-cocaine-into-clear-plastic-products/
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
In this week’s Fraud Friday, Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell hear from Laci about Richard Scott Smith—a man who promised love but instead conned a group of Midwestern women out of over $1 million. Plus, a Los Angeles family is shocked to learn that someone posted their home on Airbnb to rent it. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 01/17/2022)
CON-gregation, catch Laci's new TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Scottie Beam: @scottiebeam
Sylvia Obell: @sylviaobell
Research By Kaelyn Brandt.
SOURCES:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/style/taking-down-bad-men-is-her-job.html
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a33821604/love-fraud-richard-scott-smith-true-story/
https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a33915040/richard-scott-smith-love-fraud-now/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8644523/Richard-Scott-Smith.html
https://www.oxygen.com/true-crime-buzz/what-happened-to-carla-the-bounty-hunter-from-love-fraud
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/11/30/exclusive-local-family-discovers-home-listed-on-airbnb-after-strangers-arrive-saying-they-rented-it/
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.
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