Scam Goddess

What's poppin' con-gregation? For this holiday, we are revisiting our episode with showrunner for HBO’s Insecure, Prentice Penny. We discuss the viral meat connoisseur “Salt Bae,” and the accusations of scamming surrounding his restaurants. Plus, the FBI catches an artist allegedly selling fake works from his friend and mentor Raymond Pettibon. Stay Schemin'! This was recorded October 19th, 2021....

It's Fraud Friday! This week, we revisit our episode with Solomon Georgio. We discuss Sarma Melngailis, a business woman who went from the “Queen of Vegan Cuisine" to the “Vegan Bernie Madoff”. Plus, pet scams have become such a problem in Michigan that the Michigan Attorney General released a video warning residents. Stay Schemin'!   This was recorded on March 3rd, 2022.   Research by Kaelyn Bran...

What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? Live from the Bell House theatre in Brooklyn New York, Laci welcomes comedians Alex English, Punkie Johnson, Marie Faustin and Sydnee Washington to regale the story behind the most famous psychic from the 90s, Ms. Cleo and the Psychic Readers Network. Stay Schemin!   Recorded October 8th 2023.   Follow on Instagram: Alex English @alex3nglish Punkie Johnson @punkiejohn...

It's Fraud Fridays! We return to our episode with special guest Sam Sanders, regaling all about Bishop Lamor Whitehead who garnered initial sympathy for being robbed during a livestream of his sermon. But later, his integrity was questioned after past crimes have surfaced. Stay Schemin’! Recorded on August 09, 2022. Research by Kaelyn Brandt. Sources: https://www.thecity.nyc/brooklyn/2022/7/29/232...

What’s poppin’ Con-gregration? This week, comedian Jason Mantzoukas joins the show to discuss Lisette Lee, an heiress, actress, pop singer, and drug-trafficking gangster of Beverly Hills. However, the pot princess of Los Angeles turns out to have been more of a Cinderella. Stay Schemin’!   On Nov. 16th, 2023, Scam Goddess Live will be at The Den Theatre in Chicago! Tickets are available at  theden...

Happy Fraud Fridays! This week we revisit our episode with comedians Ira Madison III, Oscar Montoya, AND Siobhan Thompson where they discuss Spain’s Sweetheart Hilaria Baldwin. Stay schemin’. Chao!   This was originally released on January 26th, 2021.   Research by Sharilyn Vera.  Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scam Goddess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free...

What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? In a first in Scam Goddess history, we have the scammer who was a part of the scam on the show! Sam Lipman-Stern, Creator, Executive Producer and Director of the HBO hit Documentary “Telemarketers,” recounts the wild story of how he worked for Civic Development Group (CDG) who used fraudulent telemarketing practices to get money for charities and police organizations....

What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation? Ashley Ray joins the show to dissect how so called civil rights activist, writer, and company founder Jeffrey Shaun King is still out here scamming. Also, a worker in Chile accidentally got paid 286 times his salary. Stay Schemin’!   Research by Kaelyn Brandt   Sources: https://www.blackenterprise.com/shaun-king-daughter-kendi-has-a-word-family-move/ https://www.black...

What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, comedian, writer and podcast host Kid Fury joins the show to discuss Maverick Miles Nehemiah aka Derek Andre Kelly who allegedly scammed the US government out of $20 million through forging savings bonds in the 1990s and went on to bigger scams that revealed Maverick’s true identity and crimes. Stay Schemin!   Recorded October 17th, 2023.  Follow on Instagr...

Happy Fraud Fridays! This week we revisit our episode with Ashley Ray talking about a true scamming King, Shaun King. Stay schemin!   This was originally released on August 25th, 2020.   Research by Sharilyn Vera. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scam Goddess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplu...

What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, comedian Jared Goldstein joins the show to discuss Arthur Lee Cofield Jr., a man who stole more money from behind bars than any inmate in American history. His primary tools: cell phones and some good friends. Plus, a former Amazon operations manager has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for stealing nearly $10 million from the company. Stay Sche...

Happy Fraud Fridays! Fraud Fridays is where we bring back your favorite episodes from behind the paywall. Straight from the Scam Goddess vault is the re-release of our episode with comedian Dave Schilling. We discuss how a fake high school, Bishop Sycamore High, ended up playing against an elite football program on ESPN. Plus, a total of 15 former NFL players pled guilty to healthcare fraud. Stay...

What’s poppin’ Con-gregration? This week, comedian Morgan Jay joins the show to discuss Michael Protzman, the leader of a QAnon cult who recently passed away. His life and perhaps even his death contributed to scam after scam, earning him a rabid and well-paying following. Also, find out the falsehood that was the basis of the June 2023 Supreme Court ruling that a Christian graphic artist could re...

What’s Poppin’ Congregation? Today, Sarah Marshall is back to discuss Teal Swan, a 38-year-old self-proclaimed spiritual leader whose practices have led some of her followers to self-harmful behaviors. She denies that “she is in any way a cult leader.” Plus, a bible salesman has been accused of orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud in a scheme that spans almost a decade. Stay Schemin’!    Res...

What’s Poppin’ Con- gregration? This week, comedian Eric Andre joins the show to discuss Ferdinand Waldo Demara, a man of many trades, master of perhaps a few, with the credentials of none. Plus, a  team of two computer science students have recently tried to determine if their AI-generated images of women were realistic enough to trick paying customers. Stay Schemin’!   “Bombing with Eric Andre''...

What’s Poppin’ Con-gregration? This week, Franchesca Ramsey & De’Lon Grant join the show to discuss an update on the Hollywood Con Queen, an exceptionally talented catfish who conned hundreds of people in the film industry over the phone. Plus, a teenage con artist has been arrested after allegedly defrauding a car dealership out of almost $100,000. Stay Schemin’!   Follow on Instagram:  Franchesc...

What’s poppin’ Con-gregration? This week, we have comedian Adam Conover giving us an update on the WGA/SAG strike. We also discuss Rita Crundwell, who drained tens of millions of dollars from the rural city of Dixon, Illinois to spend money on hundreds of luxury horses. Plus, find out how the DEA accidentally sent $55,000 in crypto it had seized to a cryptocurrency scammer. Stay Schemin’!     Foll...

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, actress, producer and creator Alesha Reneé joins the show to discuss Charlie Javice, a businesswoman who sold her fast-growing tech startup to JP Morgan for $175 million, only to have partners realize she made up most of her success. Plus, a Chicago rapper has agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud and lying to federal agents. Stay schemin’!   Follow on Insta...

What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, we welcome comedians Josh Brekhus, Kimia Behpoornia, James Mannion, and Mary Anthony. Along with Laci, they’re a part of the UCB improv group LEROY. They discuss David Saffron, a part-time BDSM club owner and crypto Ponzi schemer. Plus, we explore how one of Twitter’s most quickly-growing viral left-wing voices has turned out to perhaps be a total fake. Sta...

What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, comedian Jamie Loftus joins the show to discuss John Wojtowicz, a con man who made international headlines after robbing a bank and creating a hostage situation “for love.” His story inspired the Academy Award Winning film “Dog Day Afternoon” starring Al Pacino. Plus, a California Instagram “momfluencer” was sentenced to 90 days in prison after falsely repo...

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...

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 men...

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 1...

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...

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, actors Keith Powers and Gina Torres go through your scam listener letters. From saving money on stamps to writing summer loves from Christian camp to entertaining a love scam online... just for fun, Keith and Gina help Laci answer your scam letters. Stay Schemin’!   Note: We recorded with Keith Powers on June 14th, 2023 and with Gina Torres on June 28th.  ...