Scam Goddess

What's poppin' con-gregation?  This week, Solomon Georgio joins us to discuss Sarma Melngailis, a business woman who went from “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'!

Research by Kaelyn Brandt.

Sources:
https://people.com/food/bad-vegan-fame-fraud-fugitives-true-story/

https://people.com/crime/fugitive-former-vegan-restaurant-owner-caught-after-ordering-dominos-pizza/

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2016/11/how-sarma-melngailis-became-a-runaway-fugitive

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/03/sarma-melngailis-netflixs-bad-vegan-stares-down-her-past-and-future

Netflix’s documentary, Bad Vegan

https://www.intheknow.com/post/dog-breeder-scam/

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laci welcomes Traci Thomas (The Stacks Podcast) to discuss Jamison Bachman, a man who posed as a charming tenant only to victimize his roommates, determined to take their homes from under them. Plus, an elderly woman pleads guilty to helping a Nigerian scammer she fell in love with. Stay Schemin’!

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

Traci Thomas: @thestackspod

Research by Kaelyn Brandt

SOURCES:

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/jamison-bachman-worst-roommate-ever.html

https://thenetline.com/jamison-bachman-now/

https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/woman-sentenced-after-helping-scam-artist/article_1b2ae9e0-9b02-11ec-bb64-5ff45577d3b2.html

https://ipropertymanagement.com/laws/california-squatters-rights#:~:text=A%20squatter%20can%20claim%20rights,ownership%20of%20the%20property%20legally

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.

What's poppin' con-gregation? This week, Jabari Davis joins us to discuss Heather Morgan, a rapping former-CEO who was a part of the largest asset seizure in history, involving over $4 billion in bitcoin. Plus, a Greek Orthodox priest and hedge fund manager participates in a “short and distort” scheme. Stay Schemin'!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/hedge-fund-priest-thou-shalt-make-money-1445918531?mod=mktw

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/jury-sec-case-finds-priest-shorting-biotechs-stock-made-false-statements-2021-11-05/

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/02/the-many-shifting-sides-of-cryptos-most-notorious-couple.html

https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2016/08/03/the-bitfinex-bitcoin-hack-what-we-know-and-dont-know/

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/02/doj-seizes-usd3-6-billion-in-stolen-bitcoin-arrests-couple.html

https://medium.datadriveninvestor.com/bitcoin-billionaire-rapper-busted-after-fbi-seized-her-3-9-billion-fortune-183ad0e8cb0

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/13/nyregion/bitcoin-bitfinex-hack-heather-morgan-ilya-lichtenstein.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.

Laci welcomes Brittani Warrick (28 Days) to discuss how a 19th-century Scottish man convinced people to establish the new country of Poyais; however, it didn’t actually exist. Plus, one antique store goes viral after a TikToker exposes the real cost of antique swans. Stay Schemin’!

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

Brittani Warrick: @projectbrittani
 

Research by Kaelyn Brandt

SOURCES:

https://www.distractify.com/p/tiktok-goodwill-thrift-shop

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Gregor-MacGregor-Prince-Of-Poyais/

https://allthatsinteresting.com/gregor-macgregor

https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-untold-truth-about-poyais-a-dead-land-sold-as-a-mystical-paradise-bf6719715229

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.

What's poppin' con-gregation? This week, comedian Frankie Quiñones joins us to discuss how 18 barrels of bourbon went missing from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, producers of the famed Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. Plus, scammers capitalize off of fake high end whiskey being sold in local liquor stores across the nation. Stay Schemin'!

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/

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.

What's poppin' con-gregation? This week, Corinne Fisher & Krystyna Hutchinson join us to get an update on some of our favorite scammers: Anna Delvey, Elizabeth Holmes & The Tinder Swindler. Plus, a Chinese student spends 21 days living a luxurious life for free as part of an art project for her school. Stay Schemin'!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.thecut.com/2018/05/how-anna-delvey-tricked-new-york.html

https://www.insider.com/anna-delvey-writes-about-inventing-anna-and-life-in-jail-2022-2

https://www.insider.com/netflix-paid-anna-delvey-sorokin-tv-series-victim-fund-2021-1

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jan/13/elizabeth-holmes-sentence-september-fraud

https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/03/tech/elizabeth-holmes-verdict/index.html

https://www.businessinsider.com/theranos-founder-ceo-elizabeth-holmes-life-story-bio-2018-4#it-was-during-high-school-that-holmes-developed-her-work-ethic-often-staying-up-late-to-study-she-quickly-became-a-straight-a-student-and-even-started-her-own-business-she-sold-c-compilers-a-type-of-software-that-translates-computer-code-to-chinese-schools-5

https://www.etonline.com/tinder-swindler-simon-leviev-joins-cameo-signs-with-manager-inside-his-hollywood-plans-179407

https://www.insideedition.com/exclusive-alleged-tinder-swindler-simon-leviev-speaks-on-money-romance-and-allegations-in-1st-sit

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a38819028/tinder-swindler-netflix-true-story-simon-leviev/

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a38955743/tinder-swindler-simon-leviev-true-story-where-is-he-now/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/17531724/simon-levievs-bodyguard-peter/

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/04/verdict-reached-in-michael-avenatti-fraud-trial-over-stormy-daniels-book-money.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10289325/Student-stays-Beijing-three-weeks-without-spending-penny-disguising-socialite.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.

What's poppin' con-gregation? This week, Bridger Winegar joins us 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!

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

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.

What's poppin' con-gregation? This week, comedian Brian Simpson joins us to discuss how a group of British OG's successfully stole about $19.4 million from the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company. Plus, we learn how a Japanese KFC owner popularized fried chicken as the main dish during Christmas time in Japan. Stay Schemin'!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9139718/hatton-garden-robbers-where-diamond-wheezers/

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/world/europe/london-hatton-garden-heist.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jan/23/one-last-job-inside-story-of-the-hatton-garden-heist

https://www.grunge.com/360175/britains-notorious-great-train-robbery-explained/

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-35126667

https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/features/how-we-got-our-hatton-1.66197

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-53581840

https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/article/the-hatton-garden-criminals

https://blog.gaijinpot.com/the-true-story-of-why-people-in-japan-eat-kfc-at-christmas/

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.

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#:~:text=On%20March%2013%2C%201995%2C%20the,action%20against%20Pleasure%20Time%2C%20Inc.&text=The%20SEC%20alleged%20that%20the,and%20the%20Group%20Dynamics%20Downline

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.

What's poppin' con-gregration? This week, Blair Socci joins us to discuss Michael Larson, the man who went on CBS’s game show, “Press Your Luck” and scammed them out of over $100,000. Plus, a man is accused of double-dipping employment as a principal of two different schools, hundreds of miles apart. Stay Schemin'!

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.