Scam Goddess

It's Fraud Friday, and we're feeling good because the deacon has returned. Jacquis Neal (Grand Crew) joins Laci to discuss the story of Juan Carlos Guzman Betancur. He was a teenage stowaway found frozen like a cube on an airplane who grew up to become one of the world’s most talented and good-looking criminals. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 02/08/2022)

CONgregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom signed Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes book? Look no more, nab your copy here on PODSWAG

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Jacquis Neal: @jacquisneal

Research by Kaelyn Brandt

SOURCES:

https://theretronetwork.com/big-money-no-whammies/

https://www.damninteresting.com/who-wants-to-be-a-thousandaire/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/an-ice-cream-man-hacked-press-your-luck-1984-1217142/

https://nypost.com/2019/06/10/press-your-luck-game-show-scandal-back-in-the-spotlight/

https://steemit.com/story/@winstonwolfe/the-story-of-michael-larson-and-the-press-your-luck-gameshow-scandal

https://www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce/claims/archive/pleasuretime.htm#

https://www.newsweek.com/man-accused-simultaneously-working-principal-two-schools-located-400-miles-apart-1656001

https://medium.com/@hannah.fluxgold/the-confused-math-lady-meme-bd97530b1885

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Laci welcomes Mandii B and Weezy WTF (Decisions, Decisions Podcast) to dig into Stephanie Hockridge, a former Emmy-nominated TV news anchor convicted in a billion-dollar COVID fraud scheme. She went from breaking the news to breaking the law! Plus, Weezy's mom calls into the show and scams on her behalf in real-time. Stay schemin’!

CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom-signed Scam Goddess book? Look no more, nab your copy on PODSWAG

Keep the scams coming and snitch on your friends by emailing us at [email protected].

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Mandii B: @fullcourtpumps

Weezy WTF: @weezywtf

Decisions Decisions Podcast: @_decisionsdecisions

Research by Kathryn Doyle 

SOURCES

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ex-tv-news-anchor-stephanie-170432579.html

https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/investigations/former-arizona-news-anchors-trial-starts-in-ppp-loan-fraud-case

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2025/06/20/ex-abc15-anchor-guilty-covid-19-relief-fraud/84292830007/

https://www.azfamily.com/2025/06/20/jury-convicts-ex-phoenix-news-anchor-conspiracy-fraud-scheme/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/media/article-14801935/abc-anchor-secret-double-life-exposed-court.html

https://www.azfamily.com/2022/12/02/congressional-report-scottsdale-startup-facilitated-massive-amounts-pandemic-related-fraud/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/media/article-14840631/Glamorous-TV-anchor-facing-years-prison-shocking-Covid-lies-learns-fate.html

https://www.propublica.org/article/ppp-loans-paycheck-protection-fraud-profits-report

https://colemanreport.com/stephanie-hockridge-convicted-in-10m-blueacorn-ppp-fraud-scheme/

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Sarah Marshall (You’re Wrong About Podcast) to discuss the scams of televangelists Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker from their start with a puppet ministry to a full-blown waterpark, Heritage USA, and so much more. Additionally, the discovery of money inside a bathroom wall at Joel Osteen’s megachurch has raised questions about potential fraud. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 01/24/2022)

CW: Mention of sexual assault

CONgregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom signed Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes book? Look no more, nab your copy here on PODSWAG

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Research by Kaelyn Brandt

SOURCES:

https://www.biography.com/news/tammy-faye-jim-bakker-relationship-scandals

https://abcnews.go.com/US/scandals-brought-bakkers-uss-famous-televangelists/story?id=60389342

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/plumber-finds-cash-checks-loose-toilet-wall-joel-osteens-lakewood-chur-rcna7512

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/televangelist-tammy-faye-bakker-became-unlikely-ally-aids-crisis-rcna2059

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-03-30-mn-594-story.html

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Laci welcomes Franchesca Ramsey (Superstore) to break down the unbelievable apology from Elizabeth Hoover, a UC Berkeley professor who falsely claimed to be Native American for decades, only to reveal later that she is actually white. Plus, Laci opens up the Lizzie Scammer of Fame vault and adds Elizabeth Hoover to the ever-growing list of Elizabeth scammers. Stay schemin’!

CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom-signed Scam Goddess book? Look no more, nab your copy on PODSWAG

Keep the scams coming and snitch on your friends by emailing us at [email protected].

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Franchesca Ramsey: @chescaleigh

Research by Kathryn Doyle 

SOURCES

https://web.archive.org/web/20241217024127/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/03/04/a-professor-claimed-to-be-native-american-did-she-know-she-wasnt

https://indianz.com/News/2022/04/22/young-native-woman-sounds-alarm-about-violence-in-indian-country/

https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/tribal-news/2019-08-23/photographer-adam-sings-in-the-timber-wants-to-change-the-way-you-see-native-america

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/diversity-equity/2023/05/08/berkeley-professor-admits-shes-white

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/berkeley-professor-apologizes-false-indigenous-identity-rcna83202

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfchronicle.com%2Fopinion%2Fopenforum%2Farticle%2Fliz-hoover-uc-berkeley-jacqueline-keeler-19435430.php&psig=AOvVaw1dXaeexX-q6dALB4iQaQZu&ust=1749267536328000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBkQjhxqFwoTCLDhqcvv240DFQAAAAAdAAAAABBl

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Patrick Hinds (True Crime Obsessed Network) & Gillian Pensavalle (The Hamilcast) to discuss Sean Kirkham, a lifelong hustler who took advantage of U.S. nightclubs and the families of murdered and missing women in Canada. Plus, an ex-con uses identity theft to raise money for his boyfriend's bail bond. Stay Schemin'! (Originally Released 12/06/2021)

CONgregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom signed Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes book? Look no more, nab your copy here on PODSWAG

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Patrick Hinds: @patrickhinds_

Gillian Pensavalle: @gillianwithag

Research By Kaelyn Brandt 

SOURCES:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/city-to-finish-women-s-memorial-after-non-profit-folds-1.2126363

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/missing-women-memorial-leaves-trail-of-unpaid-debts-1.2101743

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/195/126/556532/

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/founder-of-memorial-to-vancouvers-missing-and-murdered-women-sues-city-for-defamation

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/missing-women-memorial-leaves-trail-of-unpaid-debts-1.2101743

https://abc13.com/houston-crime-con-artist-wanted-davion-sandifer-man-accused-of-scamming/11168054/

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Laci welcomes the Original Bad Girl of Comedy, Luenell (Hacks), to discuss Miray Cruises’ “Life at Sea” project, a three-year dream cruise sold to paying passengers, only for the company to later admit they didn’t even have a ship. Stay schemin’!

Catch Luenell's residency at Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club in Las Vegas!

CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom-signed Scam Goddess book? Look no more, nab your copy on PODSWAG

Keep the scams coming and snitch on your friends by emailing us at [email protected].

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Luenell: @luenell

Research by Kathryn Doyle 

SOURCES

https://abc7.com/three-year-cruise-canceled-life-at-sea-refund/14102701/

https://www.cnn.com/travel/how-the-three-year-cruise-fell-apart/index.html

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/01/aidaaura-to-leave-carnival-corporation-fleet-this-september/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2024/11/11/villa-vie-residences-world-cruise/76202126007/

https://www.aol.com/passengers-round-world-cruise-now-071736032.html

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Amanda Seales (Insecure) to discuss Kyle Sandler, a man who posed as a rich Google executive, opening up a business incubator called the Round House in Opelika, Alabama, ultimately scamming investors out of $1.9 million. Plus, a fortune teller was arrested for fraud and scamming one victim out of $50,000. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 11/15/2021)

CONgregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom signed Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes book? Look no more, nab your copy here on PODSWAG

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Research by Kaelyn Brandt

SOURCES:

https://www.al.com/news/2021/05/kyle-sandler-explains-how-he-conned-opelika-out-of-19-million-on-hbos-generation-hustle.html

https://www.al.com/news/2018/08/auburn_man_pleads_guilty_to_de.html

https://www.al.com/news/2019/02/how-an-alabama-city-fell-for-a-massive-19-million-scam.html

https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2021/04/kyle-sandler-john-mcafee-associate-who-scammed-alabama-town-out-of-19-million-featured-on-hbos-generation-hustle.html

https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/crime/2019/03/26/lee-county-roundhouse-founder-kyle-sandler-sentenced-prison/3279308002/

https://www.foxla.com/news/fortune-teller-arrested-for-fraud-riverside-police-find-snake-voodoo-doll-satanic-items

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laci welcomes Lauren, Rachel, and Mariah Smith (The Smith Sisters) to discuss their individual relationships with scams, and they do not disappoint. Then, they dive into the story of a mysterious New Hampshire man who’s been traveling the country for years, running a “classic pavement scam” that no one seems able to stop. He might knock on your door, and if he does, that means trouble is in town. Stay schemin’!

CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom-signed Scam Goddess book? Look no more, nab your copy on PODSWAG

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Lauren Smith: @mslas

Rachel Smith: @privatecitizenrachel

Mariah Smith: @mariahmariahmariah

The Smith Sisters: @smithsisterslive

Research by Kathryn Doyle 

SOURCES

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/05/13/northeast-ohio-police-warn-residents-about-henry-stanley-his-asphalt-scam/

https://www.ky3.com/video/2024/08/27/your-side-investigation-lebanon-mo-business-owner-says-she-was-scammed-by-traveling-asphalt-company/

https://pavingprosraleigh.com/5-ways-to-identify-an-asphalt-paving-scam-before-it-happens/

https://patch.com/florida/lakeland/asphalt-paving-business-scam-uncovered-winter-haven-sheriff

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Dave Schilling (Galaxy Brains) to discuss how a fake high school named Bishop Sycamore ended up playing against an elite football team on ESPN to their own dismay. Plus, a total of 15 former NFL players pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud. Stay Schemin’! (Originally Released 11/08/2021)

CONgregation, catch Laci's TV Show, Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom signed Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes book? Look no more, nab your copy here on PODSWAG

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Dave Schilling:@dwschilling

Research by Kaelyn Brandt

SOURCES:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/highschool/2021/09/10/bishop-sycamore-football-whats-next-questionable-ohio-school/5774700001/

https://www.complex.com/sports/bishop-sycamore-lies-espn-play-on-national-tv

https://www.complex.com/sports/bishop-sycamore-lies-espn-play-on-national-tv?utm_campaign=sportstw&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social

https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/we-learned-more-about-how-bishop-sycamore-ended-up-playing-on-espn-and-its-only-getting-shadier.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

https://awfulannouncing.com/high-school/bishop-sycamore-head-coach-we-are-not-a-school-but-a-post-grad-football-academy.html

https://awfulannouncing.com/high-school/prep-gridiron-logistics-bishop-sycamore-message-boards.html

https://awfulannouncing.com/high-school/bishop-sycamore-scandal-2021-football-opponents-canceled-game.html

https://www.wpxi.com/sports/high-school-football/ohio-football-team-allegedly-lied-its-way-onto-espn-played-sto-rox-days-earlier/DO4MFXBN6RFAJIYX2MSA3UUDSU/

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laci welcomes writer, comedian, and actor Sabrina Wu (Murderbot, Joy Ride) to grab their monocle and magnifying glass and dive into the strange story of Jerry and Rita Alter, a sweet couple from New Mexico who passed away, and may have stolen a $160 million Willem de Kooning painting just to hang it behind their bedroom door.

Plus, in Scammer of the Week: a homeowners’ association goes full villain after Irena Green’s lawn turned a little less green and somehow, it ends with her getting arrested. Stay schemin’!

CON-gregation, catch Laci's TV Show Scam Goddess, now on Freeform and Hulu!

Did you miss out on a custom-signed Scam Goddess book? Look no more, nab your copy on PODSWAG

Follow on Instagram:

Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod

Laci Mosley: @divalaci

Sabrina Wu: @asabrinawu

Research by Kathryn Doyle 

SOURCES

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/09/nyregion/a-de-kooning-a-theft-and-an-enduring-mystery.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/arts/de-kooning-higgins-sharp-harwood-fbi.html?unlocked_article_code=1.YE8.GU2s.vAP6jr-Zr2bc&smid=url-share

The Thief Collector documentary 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/04/fbi-new-mexico-teachers-alleged-art-thieves

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/i-team-investigates/hoa-violations-involving-womans-brown-grass-led-to-her-being-arrested-and-jailed-for-seven-days

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/09/15/long-lost-willem-de-kooning-painting-makes-its-way-back-arizona/8058998001/

https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/de-kooning-art-theft

https://www.scdailypress.com/2024/03/15/california-writer-finds-two-stolen-works-estate-now-famous-cliff-couple/

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/podcastsplus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.