What's up Con-gregation! Not gonna lie, this is one of our wildest episodes thanks to Ayo Edebiri (Sunnyside, Forbes) and dig deep into controversial tale of Linda Taylor, the Welfare Queen!
Research: Sharilyn Vera
SOURCES:
https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Forgotten-Life-Behind-American/dp/031651330X
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/slate/the-queen
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/books/review/josh-levin-queen-linda-taylor.html
https://newrepublic.com/article/154404/myth-welfare-queen
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, Laci is joined by Bridger Winegar (Black Monday, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) to discuss Sergei Mavrodi, the man behind one of the world’s largest Ponzi schemes. Plus, a 73-year-old Long Island woman helps the NYPD catch a scammer. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 02/21/2022)
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Order “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes" here: Hachette Book Group
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Bridger Winegar: @bridgerwinegar
Research by Kaelyn Brandt
SOURCES:
https://www.nbc15.com/2022/01/22/watch-grandmother-helps-catch-scammers-fun/
https://qz.com/1259524/mmm-and-bitcoin-russian-ponzi-mastermind-sergei-mavrodi-is-dead-but-his-legacy-lives-on-in-crypto/
https://www.rbth.com/history/332261-mmm-fraud-mavrodi
https://historyofyesterday.com/sergei-mavrodi-the-man-who-left-30-million-people-broke-2bbd03a9cd82
https://112.international/society/give-us-our-money-back-how-the-world-will-remember-the-mmm-financial-pyramid-founder-sergei-mavrodi-27224.html
https://www.forbes.ru/biznes/359219-hozyain-piramid-sergey-mavrodi-kak-simvol-lihih-90-h
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.
Can you imagine living in a mansion on a skyscraper 400 feet above the ground? No? Neither can the fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, who fled the country before ever setting foot in it. Laci welcomes Zach Cherry (Severance, You) to strap on a wingsuit and dive into the story of the self-proclaimed "King of Good Times," his flashy airline, and how his downfall led to the creation of India’s Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. Stay schemin’!
Keep the scams coming and snitch on your friends by emailing us at ScamGoddessPod@gmail.com.
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Research by Kathryn Doyle
SOURCES
https://vt.co/lifestyle/relationships/billionaires-luxury-20-million-sky-mansion-sits-on-top-of-a-400ft-skyscraper-but-the-tycoon-may-never-live-in-it
https://www.businessinsider.com/sky-mansion-33-story-luxury-apartment-complex-mallya-india-2024-3
https://www.business-standard.com/about/who-is-vijay-mallya#goog_rewarded
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/vijay-mallya-becomes-first-person-to-be-declared-a-fugitive-economic-offender/articleshow/67394758.cms
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/18/business/vijay-mallya-extradition.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/30/business/dealbook/india-vijay-mallya-debt-economy.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/21/business/worldbusiness/21air.html?_r=0
https://www.domain.com.au/news/vijay-mallyas-mansion-on-top-of-a-skyscraper-in-india-will-probably-never-be-lived-in/
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2012/06/ambani-residence-photos-inside-architecture
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, Laci is joined by Mitra Jouhari (The Big Sick, Three Busy Debras) to discuss Christian Gehartsreiter aka Clark Rockefeller, who spent 30 years passing himself off as an educated, wealthy aristocrat while taking advantage of people. Plus, three political operatives are accused of defrauding $3.5 million from PAC scams. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 01/03/2022)
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Order “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes" here: Hachette Book Group
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Mitra Jouhari: @mitrajouhari
Research by Kaelyn Brandt
SOURCES:
https://media.vanityfair.com/photos/54cc01740a5930502f5f4667/master/w_1600,c_limit/image.jpg
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2008/08/08/the-little-town-and-life-rockefeller-left-for-fame/l20Zs5ZzVbgic07Sf0MB6M/story.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/the-four-faces-of-rockefeller-6910914.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/10/us/politics/pac-operator-charges.html?searchResultPosition=3
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, Laci welcomes Jessi Klein and Liz Feldman from the Here To Make Friends podcast, who share about being victim to the latest Toll Road scam. Then, Laci takes the gals down the winding road of today's Historic Hoodwink following a Con-Mum who scammed her own son, which leaves Jessi and Liz speechless. Stay scheming’!
Make sure to listen to the Here To Make Friends podcast.
Keep the scams coming and snitch on your friends by emailing us at ScamGoddessPod@gmail.com.
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Jessi Klein: @youracquaintancejessiklein
Liz Feldman: @thelizfeldman
Research by Kathryn Doyle
SOURCES
https://www.netflix.com/title/81708174
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14xn65vg2yo
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/22/does-she-love-me-no-is-she-capable-of-love-no-my-mother-the-con-artist
https://www.eonline.com/news/1415921/netflixs-con-mum-where-graham-hornigold-is-now
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 this week's Fraud Friday, actor Behzad Dabu joins us to discuss how one summer camp shut down after 6 days of opening and is being referred to as the “Fyre Fest” of summer camps. Plus, a woman steals from a Walmart just by pretending to be a manager. Stay Schemin’! (Originally released 8/16/21)
Research by Kaelyn Brandt.
Sources:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/inside-the-landmark-forum_b_90028
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/08/landmark-42-hours-500-65-breakdowns/
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/07/23/camp-quinebarge-new-hampshire-camp-closes-suddenly/
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/22/metro/fyre-fest-overnight-camps-closes-after-6-days/
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/24/us/summer-camp-reopen-counselors.html
https://www.campquinebarge.com/
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/connecticut/articles/2021-07-16/kids-weight-loss-camp-that-closed-has-history-of-violations
https://www.fox10tv.com/news/suspected-serial-con-artist-accused-of-pretending-to-be-a-walmart-manager-to-steal-cash/article_3f56855e-f017-11eb-879b-f3164939a999.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw5cT8nfp1U
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.
Joel Kim Booster (Wondery’s Bad Dates and Bravo’s Love Hotel) joins Laci to dive into all of your scams and stories, CON-gregation! First, Joel shares his own heartbreaking story of being caught shoplifting. Then, they dive into letters revealing an Ocean’s Eleven-level grocery store checkout scam (also… stop locking everything up, grocery stores!!!), how to dupe the public transit system with a screenshot, a boss becoming someone's “John,” and a text-ual relationship that was sketchy as hell. Stay schemin’!
Be sure to check out Joel hosting Bravo's Love Hotel out now! on BRAVO!
Keep the scams coming and snitch on your shady friends by emailing us at ScamGoddessPod@gmail.com.
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Joel Kim Booster: @ihatejoelkim
Confession Stories by the CONgregation
Curated By Jessica Cisneros
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, Laci is joined by Clark Moore (Love, Simon, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) to discuss a particular scam involving the Ukrainian Marriage industry. Plus, we look into how scammers are taking advantage of billionaire MacKenzie Scott’s pledge to donate half her fortune. Stay schemin'! (Originally Released 07/26/2021)
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Order “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes" here: Hachette Book Group
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Clark Moore: @mrclarkmoore
Research by Kaelyn Brandt
SOURCES:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57358241
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/british-man-duped-of-250000-on-pretext-of-marriage-to-a-ukrainian-3886691.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/business/mackenzie-scott-giving-scams.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/20/business/mackenzie-scott-philanthropy.html
https://nyfights.com/worldwide/no-i-didnt-pull-a-cancer-scam-says-podcaster-jonathan-leir-aka-jonny-straws/
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.
Hide your makeup compact, 'cause Jillian Bell (Summer of 69, Kinda Pregnant) is here to help Laci give a primer on a group of criminals concealing concealer. Yup, we're talkin' cosmetics crime rings! Tune in to hear how Ulta, Sephora, and other makeup retailers have become hot targets for thieves looking to resell product. Plus, Jillian shares how she conned her high school prom limo driver. Stay schemin’!
Be sure to check out Jillian’s directorial debut, Summer of 69, available May 9 on Hulu!
Keep the scams coming and snitch on your shady friends by emailing us at ScamGoddessPod@gmail.com.
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Jillian Bell: @jillianbell
Research by Kathryn Doyle
SOURCES
https://www.yahoo.com/news/southern-california-woman-charged-police-235537939.html
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/southern-california-woman-charged-in-350000-retail-theft-bust/
https://www.canyon-news.com/blanca-escobar-charged-with-organized-retail-theft/192275
https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/da-hochman-announces-charges-major-effort-combat-organized-retail-theft-macarthur-park
https://abc7.com/westlake-district-stolen-merchandise-raid-lapd/14183809/
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/bonsall-ulta-sephora-retail-theft-ring/3719190/
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/prada-fendi-ulta-organized-retail-theft-stolen-goods-1236737847/
https://queensda.org/queens-husband-and-wife-charged-with-operating-international-stolen-merchandise-ring-out-of-kew-gardens-hills-home-and-storefront-in-dominican-republic/
https://beautymatter.com/articles/ulta-and-target-address-organized-retail-theft
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, Laci is joined by Chris Gethard (The Special Without Brett Davis, Don't Think Twice) to discuss how a CEO created a Hype House style podcasting network that led to lawsuits, trash and fallout. Plus, someone stole more than 42,000 pounds of pistachios in California and that was just nuts. Stay schemin'! (Originally Released 07/12/2021)
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Order “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes" here: Hachette Book Group
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Chris Gethard: @chrisgeth
Research by Kaelyn Brandt
SOURCES:
https://www.theverge.com/22526502/himalaya-histudios-notorious-llc-podcast-audio-hype-house
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/06/21/pistachio-theft-alberto-montemayor-touchstone/
https://www.instagram.com/notorious.llc/
https://notorious.llc/creators/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/colettecoleman/2020/10/19/with-the-dumpster-fyre-podcast-fyre-festivals-founder-is-back-with-an-audio-tell-all-from-prison/?sh=24d1c81b7cd3
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.
Nobody was tripping in 2010, and maybe that was because all the cool people in the zeitgeist were wearing bracelets that claimed to harness the power of holograms to make you stronger, faster, more flexible, and possibly sexier, too. Jon Gabrus (ActionBoyz, Game Over, Man!) joins Laci to test their knowledge of physical balancing and placebos in the body. Plus, we break down the superstitions in sports, including Wade Boggs, Michael Jordan, and Jason Giambi. Stay schemin’!
Keep the scams coming and snitch on your shady friends by emailing us at ScamGoddessPod@gmail.com.
CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!
Check out Staying Alive with Jon Gabrus & Adam Pally.
Follow on Instagram:
Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod
Laci Mosley: @divalaci
Jon Gabrus: @gabrus
Research by Kathryn Doyle
SOURCES
https://gizmodo.com/powerbalance-admits-their-wristbands-are-a-scam-5723577
https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5989365
https://www.cbc.ca/news/power-band-bracelets-a-scam-professor-says-1.981932
https://www.mensjournal.com/style/the-25-biggest-fitness-fads-of-all-time
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-12135402
https://surfsimply.com/magazine/power-balance-science-or-scam
https://quackwatch.org/device/reports/power_balance/
https://science.howstuffworks.com/hologram.htm
https://www.espn.com/espn/news/story?id=5660039
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/24203-jason-giambi-wears-magic-gold-thong-for-sake-of-new-york-yankees
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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