Ceara O’Sullivan and Griff Stark-Ennis, hosts of the Petty Crimes podcast, dive into the bizarre tale of Nat Mendelsohn, the mastermind behind a disastrous 1960s real estate scheme in California City. They reveal how the allure of desert land turned into a nightmarish scam. With humor, they discuss the intersection of gullibility and personal anecdotes involving scams, particularly in the gig economy. Their insights highlight the absurdity of promises made by speculators against the stark reality of underdeveloped land, leaving listeners both entertained and informed.

What’s poppin, con-gregation? Today we re-visit our episode with comedian Hari Kondabolu (The Problem with Apu) who helps us discuss Mohammed Agbareia, the FBI informant who also ran his own scam side hustle. Stay schemin! (Originally Released 02/02/2021) Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes": https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-pressOn Sunday, Sept. 22nd Laci will be hosting the Scam Goddess Live: 5 Year Anniversary @ the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles. Buy tickets at https://regentdtla.com/tm-event/scam-goddess-live-five-year-anniversary/ Follow on Instagram:Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaciHari Kondabolu: @harikondabolu Research by Sharilyn Vera. SOURCES:https://theintercept.com/2020/12/29/fbi-counterterrorism-informant-wire-fraud-scam/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-ne-malachi-love-arrest-20210101-n3us5uqxivbpxann6avsmwfv3e-story.html Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.

What’s poppin’ Con-gregation? This week, comedian Londale Theus Jr. joins the show to discuss Belle Gibson who was set to be next biggest wellness guru but 10 years later, her international empire built on a cancer journey has crumbled. Stay schemin’!This was originally recorded on July 1,  2024. Pre- Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes.”https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-pressOn Sunday, Sept. 22nd, Laci will be hosting the Scam Goddess Live: 5 Year Anniversary @ the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles.For Tickets: https://regentdtla.com/tm-event/scam-goddess-live-five-year-anniversary/ Follow on Instagram:Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaciLondale Theus Jr.: @londalejr Research by Kaelyn Brandt. Sources:https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/instagram-scammer-belle-gibson-now-32670038https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/expensive-clothes-overseas-trips-belle-gibson-s-expenses-in-the-spotlight-20190514-p51nau.htmlhttps://www.elle.com.au/culture/news/what-we-know-about-belle-gibson-5919/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6762183/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/belle-gibson-b2535312.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/apr/29/jules-gibson-munchausen-by-internet-sickness-bloggers-fake-it-whole-pantryhttps://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/cancer-fraud-belle-gibson-how-the-wellness-industry-became-the-other-casualty-20171027-gz9aoi.htmlhttps://inews.co.uk/culture/belle-gibson-now-instagrams-con-artist-3021825https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-21/home-of-cancer-fraudster-belle-gibson-raided/100155744 Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.

Happy Friday, con-gregation! We re-visit our episode with comedian Tahir Moore where he breaks down the patriot who puts the fake in fake news. Stay schemin!  Content warning: This episode is more explicit than most, so maybe don’t listen to it with yo kids!  This episode was originally released 01/19/2021.  Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes.” https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-press On Sunday, Sept. 22nd, Laci will be hosting the Scam Goddess Live: 5 Year Anniversary @ the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles. For Tickets: https://regentdtla.com/tm-event/scam-goddess-live-five-year-anniversary/ Follow on Instagram: Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaci Tahir Moore: @tahirmoore Research by Sharilyn Vera.  SOURCEShttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/technology/trump-family-impersonator.htmlhttps://www.scam-detector.com/article/food-delivery-near-me-the-latest-scam-when-you-order-online Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.

What's Poppin' con-gregation? This week, comedian Flula Borg joins us to highlight Scammers of the Week! Laci and Flula discuss a fake lawyer who won 26 cases, a “Gucci Goddess” civilian who stole over $100 million from the U.S. Army, and Steve Harvey Radio co-host Shirley Strawberry’s philandering ex-husband. Stay Schemin’! This was originally recorded on June 25th, 2024.Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes.” https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-press On Sunday, Sept. 22nd, Laci will be hosting the Scam Goddess Live: 5 Year Anniversary @ the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles.For Tickets: https://regentdtla.com/tm-event/scam-goddess-live-five-year-anniversary/ Check on Flula Borg starring opposite Dave Bautista in the highly anticipated  “My Spy,” sequel entitled, “My Spy the Eternal City.” It will be streaming on Prime Video July 18, 2024. https://press.amazonmgmstudios.com/us/en/original-movies/my-spy-the-eternal-cityFollow on Instagram:Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaciFlula Borg: @flulaResearch by Kaelyn Brandt. Sources:https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Brian-Mwenda-Njagi-The-fake-lawyer-who-won-all-26-cases-he-handled-1862045https://ntvkenya.co.ke/news/brian-mwenda-man-accused-of-posing-as-lawyer-announces-engagement-to-actress-girlfriend/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67115879https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/janet-mello-army-pleads-guilty-stealing-100m-luxury-itemshttps://nypost.com/2024/01/29/news/con-artist-accused-of-stealing-100m-from-army-allowed-to-retire-with-full-benefits-i-earned-it/https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/gucci-goddess-conwoman-janet-yamanaks-property-portfolio/https://nypost.com/2024/05/31/us-news/steve-harveys-radio-co-host-shirley-strawberry-husband-earnest-williams-allegedly-scammed-over-750k-from-25-victims-in-georgia/ Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.

Hear ye, hear ye con-gregation! It's Fraud Friday and this week we revisit our episode with Ron Funches where we expose the “princess” who was taken hostage by pirates and also her imagination. Stay schemin’!  This episode was originally released 01/12/2021.  Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes” here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-press On Sunday, Sept. 22nd, Laci will be hosting the Scam Goddess Live: 5 Year Anniversary @ the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles.  For Tickets: https://regentdtla.com/tm-event/scam-goddess-live-five-year-anniversary/ Follow on Instagram: Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaciRon Funches: @ronfunches Research by Sharilyn Vera.  SOURCES:https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/who-was-princess-caraboo-scamhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Caraboohttp://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1900621_1900618_1900853,00.htmlhttps://www.historicmysteries.com/princess-caraboo/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6652659/Teenager-jailed-buying-PlayStation-4-8-WEIGHING-paying-6lb-food.html Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.

What's poppin, con-gregation? Caleb Hearon joins us to discuss a cheating chief of police who falsified documents to hide his many affairs. Plus, a Texas resident scams millions of CARES Act money from Uncle Sam. Stay schemin!  Research by Sharilyn Vera.  Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes.”  https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-press On Sunday, Sept. 22nd, Laci will be hosting the Scam Goddess Live: 5 Year Anniversary @ the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles.  For Tickets: https://regentdtla.com/tm-event/scam-goddess-live-five-year-anniversary/ Follow on Instagram: Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod Laci Mosley: @divalaci Caleb Hearon: @sooootruepod  SOURCES:https://heavy.com/news/jason-collier/https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/three-timing-texas-police-chief-jason-collier-arrested-by-texas-rangers-11982954https://abc7news.com/ppp-fraud-houston-covid-funds-scam-business-owners-bought-luxury-cars-with-loans-ladonna-wiggins/10385500/ Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.

It's Friday, Con-gregation! We revisit our episode with writer and actress Ashley Nicole Black to break down the man who capitalized on creating fake capital. Stay sabotaging the confederacy! This was originally recorded on December 8th, 2020.  Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes”: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-press On Sunday, Sept. 22nd, Laci will be hosting the Scam Goddess Live: 5 Year Anniversary @ the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles.  For Tickets: https://regentdtla.com/tm-event/scam-goddess-live-five-year-anniversary/ Follow on Instagram: Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaciAshley Nicole Black: @ashnb1 Research by Sharilyn Vera.  SOURCES:https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/69159/counterfeiter-who-sank-confederacyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_C._Uphamhttps://www.tiktok.com/@itsethankeiser?lang=en Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.

What's Poppin' con-gregation? This week, comedians Mary Anthony and Aman Adumer join the show to discuss how private investigator Chris Butler became a media sensation for hiring a PI team of soccer moms. Soon, he was exposed for his own criminal activities. Stay Schemin’! This was originally recorded on June 18th, 2024.Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes.” https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-pressFollow on Instagram:Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaci Follow on Twitter:Aman Adumer: @GiddyAmanMary Anthony: @maryeanthony1Research by Kaelyn Brandt. Sources:https://web.archive.org/web/20110908035431/http://www.diablomag.com/Diablo-Magazine/April-2011/The-Setup/index.php?cparticle=1&siarticle=0#artanchttps://www.thisamericanlife.org/447/the-incredible-case-of-the-pi-momshttps://web.archive.org/web/20111027233700/http://www.eastbayexpress.com/92510/archives/2011/02/17/pi-investigator-chris-butler-and-coco-narcotics-officer-norman-wielsch-arrested-on-drug-chargeshttps://abcnews.go.com/US/hot-soccer-mom-detective-scam-whistleblower-tells-story/story?id=16814948 Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.

Happy Friday, Con-gregation! This week we revisit our episode with Aparna Nancherla to dissect the scientist who hypothesized that if he stole grant money, then no one would know. His hypothesis was incorrect. Stay schemin’!  This episode was originally recorded December 8th, 2020.  Pre-Order Laci’s book “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts and Schemes":https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/laci-mosley/scam-goddess/9780762484652/?lens=running-press Follow on Instagram: Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspodLaci Mosley: @divalaci Aparna Nancherla: @aparnapkin  Research by Sharilyn Vera.  SOURCES:https://www.purdueexponent.org/campus/article_33fab424-2dcf-11eb-b388-abf3ce035f45.htmlhttps://www.purdueexponent.org/campus/article_417671d8-2d11-11eb-b695-a37cddf3676b.htmlhttps://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-disney-theft-jennifer-insuasti-20200701-n4g3bfqs2bcr3k6yc7ed45m2pu-story.html Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/scam.