Scam Goddess

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 Research by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCEShttps://www.janlewandowski.com/about-me/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-polka-king-the-surreal-true-story-of-a-fame-hungry-ponzi-schemerhttp://cosmopolitanreview.com/jan-lewan/https://www.wptv.com/news/national/russia-ukraine-conflict/polka-king-jan-lewandowski-returns-home-to-palm-beach-county-after-visiting-poland-ukraine-borderhttps://www.timesleader.com/archive/1058732/polka-king-lewan-attacked-his-lawyer-criticizes-prisonhttps://apnews.com/article/84a47e4da19e036549d574b1ccb56215https://www.timesleader.com/archive/1049699/lewan-pleads-guilty-in-fraud-case-the-polka-king-is-accused-of-selling-unregistered-securities-in-his-businessesto-many-investorshttps://old.post-gazette.com/localnews/firstlight/20030313firstlightp2.asphttps://www.vice.com/en/article/z3mn75/scammer-made-thousands-selling-leaked-frank-ocean-tracks-that-were-fake-ai-generated-the-line-steer-it

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 go to:https://www.elysiantheater.com/shows/scamgoddess Research by Kaelyn Brandt SOURCEShttps://www.advocate.com/crime/2023/1/03/couple-sentenced-after-scamming-over-400k-mostly-gay-menhttps://www.vice.com/en/article/884gw5/these-artists-scammed-a-dollar36k-film-shoot-by-faking-an-engagementhttps://letterboxd.com/film/cons-pros/https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS890US892&q=kyla+pratt+little+mermaid&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi987SZufj-AhXJJ0QIHYT7DE0Q0pQJegQIDBAB&biw=905&bih=775&dpr=1.1#imgrc=VxXjND0faDfgCM

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 HERE.Research by Kaelyn BrandtSOURCEShttps://gizmodo.com/alex-jones-ai-tucker-carlson-fox-news-infowars-1850410076https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/sandy-hook-alex-jones-tucker-carlson-prank-call-b2333520.htmlhttps://www.thedailybeast.com/how-fake-cia-spy-garrison-courtney-fooled-everyone-and-swindled-millionshttps://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/garrison-courtney-fraud/2020/10/28/c033d122-fc4d-11ea-b555-4d71a9254f4b_story.htmlhttps://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/garrison-courtney-convicted-of-wire-fraud-in-elaborate-spy-ruse

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.htmlhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-smoothest-con-man-that-ever-lived-29861908/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/man-who-sold-eiffel-tower-twice-180958370/https://www.newspapers.com/image/147064321/https://www.casino.org/blog/lustigs-money-machine-scam/

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-1.2506809https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/24/landscape-lies-blockbuster-tax-scamhttps://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a42199292/something-navy-business-is-failing/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/movie-news/bonnie-and-clyde-aoife-maddens-landscape-of-lies-34388601.htmlhttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2298937/A-Landscape-Of-Lies-Fraudsters-conned-Loose-Women-host-Andrea-McLean-3million-tax-scam-jailed.htmlhttps://pagesix.com/2022/12/07/something-navy-ceo-denies-arielle-charnas-husband-embezzled-money/Shout out to TikTok account @BullishStudio for reporting on Arielle Charnas.

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.htmlhttps://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/05/artur_samarin_asher_potts_harr.htmlhttps://www.gq.com/story/the-great-high-school-impostor

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-death-of-old-west-feminist-bandit-pearl-hart/https://lithub.com/the-true-story-of-pearl-hart-straight-shooting-poetry-writing-woman-bandit/Wildcat: The Untold Story of Pearl Hart, the Wild West’s Most Notorious Woman Bandit by John Boessenecker

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 SOURCEShttps://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-fraud-4832c57101d507d427ac4516d525e752https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/threatin-metal-tour-fake-ticket-sales-hoax-767580/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/16/style/threatin-fake-band-tour.htmlhttps://www.metalsucks.net/2018/11/09/l-a-band-threatin-faked-a-fanbase-to-land-a-european-tour-no-one-attended/https://www.metalsucks.net/2021/09/28/new-documentary-the-rise-and-fall-of-threatin/Anomaly Documentaries' mini-doc: This Band Faked an International Tourhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XG2ZmiBHQA&t=1148s

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-where-is-antwerp-heist-mastermind-today/https://nbc24.com/news/nation-world/newark-nj-admits-it-fell-for-sister-city-scam-after-holding-official-ceremony-for-fake-country-kailasa-ras-baraka-swami-nithyanandahttps://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/newark-sister-city-scam-kailasa/

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-fraud/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/02/viral-instagram-photographer-has-a-confession-his-photos-are-ai-generated/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/remembering-crazy-eddie-his-prices-were-insanehttps://nypost.com/2022/09/10/retail-king-crazy-eddie-antar-led-an-even-crazier-real-life/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/09/books/review-retail-gangster-gary-weiss.html

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 BrandtSources: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/danielle-miller-scammer.htmlhttps://nymag.com/news/features/45592/https://thecinemaholic.com/danielle-miller-where-is-the-con-artist-now/https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime/article267793432.htmlhttps://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/miami-woman-indicted-wire-fraud-and-identity-theft-related-covid-19-pandemichttps://nypost.com/2022/02/15/horace-mann-con-artist-danielle-miller-looking-for-a-roommate/https://nypost.com/2023/02/25/cory-doctorow-duped-by-fake-thai-restaurant-scam/

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 Players Network. Research by Kaelyn BrandtSources: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11533341/James-Stunt-faces-retrial-266m-dirty-money-scam.htmlhttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-11603927/As-Tony-Tetro-discovered-fortune-forging-art-caught.htmlhttps://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-64432146https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/2020/4/the-prince-the-flash-and-the-forgerhttps://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/greater-la/holidays-art-radio-race/tony-tetrohttps://bestlifeonline.com/news-woman-romance-con-artists/

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 SOURCEShttps://nypost.com/2023/01/31/madison-russo-19-charged-in-gofundme-cancer-scam/https://www.newyorker.com/news/american-chronicles/donald-trump-and-the-sweepstakes-scammershttps://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2002/09/23/newscolumn2.htmlhttps://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/09/29/Five-charged-in-corporate-sweepstakes-scam/5185623044800/

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 BrandtSOURCES: https://vietnam.postsen.com/trends/104163/What-does-the-boyfriend-in-the-case-Tina-Duong-accused-of-scamming-17-billion-VND-say.htmlhttps://www.vice.com/en/article/88qj7z/anna-delvey-tina-duong-vietnamhttps://vietbao.vn/anna-bac-giang-thua-nhan-lua-dao-hai-vu-dau-tien-388860.htmlhttps://congthuong.vn/he-lo-ban-tuong-trinh-ve-dam-cuoi-trong-truyen-thuyet-cua-anna-bac-giang-222795.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/28/woman-29-arrested-fake-high-school-student-new-jersey#:~:text=New%20Jersey-,Woman%2C%2029%2C%20arrested%20for%20allegedly%20posing%20as%20high,school%20student%20in%20New%20Jersey&text=A%2029%2Dyear%2Dold%20woman,arrested%2C%20authorities%20said%20this%20week.

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-was-rescued-by-us-coast-guard-6487742https://lawandcrime.com/crime/yacht-captain-rescued-amid-choppy-seas-is-allegedly-canadian-fugitive-wanted-for-leaving-a-dead-fish-at-the-goonies-house-but-canada-doesnt-want-him-back/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-01/david-bunevacz-marijuana-swindle-los-angeles

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.htmlhttps://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/book-author-exposed-fake-suicide-facebook-group-1234655830/?fbclid=IwAR0T1Z8YBSGjkOmKkE2bqww-XVhj2142WqdD97YlxSd0QWLr_eCm8LSaJKchttps://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/susan-meachen-author-fake-death-b2265223.html?r=21062https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kelseyweekman/susan-meachen-author-alleged-death-hoaxTwitter user @Draggerofliars thread: https://twitter.com/Draggerofliars/status/1610491152091717632https://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-allegedly-steals-28-million-holocaust-survivor-romance/story?id=96673243https://www.news4jax.com/consumer/2019/04/30/how-to-avoid-falling-for-fake-online-product-reviews/

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 SOURCEShttps://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/accused-con-artist-arrested-after-cbs-2-investigation/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/nyregion/george-santos-donors-fund-raising.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/19/nyregion/george-santos-ny-republicans.htmlhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/01/13/george-santos-everything-the-embattled-congressman-has-lied-about/?sh=357d28854557https://nypost.com/2022/12/26/rep-elect-george-santos-admits-fabricating-key-details-of-his-bio/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/01/george-santos-the-luckiest-liar-in-politics.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/13/nyregion/george-santos-republicans-lies.htmlhttps://www.latimes.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/story/2023-01-14/george-santos-election-fraudhttps://www.npr.org/2023/01/17/1149491284/martin-luther-king-mlk-statue-boston-consternation-laughs-reaction-coretta

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-and-the-blackshirts-tuscany-1924/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/09/20/archives/indian-chief-back-shorn-of-his-glory-says-false-claims-won-him.htmlhttps://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-september-4-2018-1.4808812/king-con-man-successfully-impersonates-indigenous-leaders-his-whole-life-acquiring-riches-and-fame-1.4809858https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/999371/edgar-laplante-conman-biography-chief-white-elkhttps://thecrimewire.com/money/Edgar-LaPlante-Impostorhttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11591199/Adelaide-New-Years-Eve-scam-Fake-party-boat-event-Glenelg-frauds-150-people-money.html

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari join the show to discuss William Mize, who created a family business of staging car accidents. Plus, a California Tiktoker is alleged to have broken the state’s cottage law for selling homemade pickled goods. Stay Schemin! SOURCES:https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/staged-car-crashes-insurance-fraud.htmlhttps://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/tiktok-creator-homemade-pickled-products-spark-online-conversation-rcna63406

What’s Poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, Matt Apodaca joins the show to discuss how Marsha Farmer, a hospice worker, contributed to massive fraud practices in Mississippi. Plus, a former officer of the Johnson County Sheriff's office in Kansas was caught trying to scam a store out of nearly $400 worth of Pokémon cards. Stay Schemin’!  CW: @28:37 Talk of end of life care            @45:23 Mention of murder Research By Kaelyn Brandt Sources: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/05/how-hospice-became-a-for-profit-hustlehttps://www.kgns.tv/content/news/Former-Rio-Bravo-mayor-and-others-found-guilty-oin-150-million-scheme-564587861.htmlhttps://kotaku.com/pokemon-cards-scam-police-cop-caught-kansas-card-box-1849778286