Fraud Friday: SiliCON Valley Theft Bro w/ Amanda Seales

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

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

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/

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

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