Scam Goddess Podcast Summary: "Big Crime Energy w/ Jordan Carlos (Re-Release)"

Episode Information:

• Title: Big Crime Energy w/ Jordan Carlos (Re-Release)
• Release Date: January 21, 2025
• Host: Laci Mosley (AKA Scam Goddess)
• Guest: Jordan Carlos
• Platform: Earwolf & associated with Team Coco

Introduction and Guest Background

In this re-released episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley welcomes Jordan Carlos, a renowned comedian, actor, writer, and producer known for co-hosting the Adulting podcast with Michelle Buteau. Laci introduces Jordan with enthusiasm, highlighting his extensive presence on television and his multifaceted career.

Laci Mosley [00:55]:
"First Wives Club on BET and the God's Honest Truth with Charlamagne. Congregation Like, I feel like the next Samuel L. Jackson, where you win a Guinness Book of World Records of just being on so many TV shows and being in so many things. That is Jordan Carlos."

Jordan humbly downplays the comparison but appreciates the warm welcome, accepting flowers from Laci as a gesture of camaraderie.

Jordan Carlos [02:30]:
"Thank you very much, lady. That is, I am definitely not. I will. You know what? I'm just gonna take those flowers."

Personal Experiences with Scams

The conversation delves into personal anecdotes and perspectives on scams. Laci expresses her love-hate relationship with scammers, emphasizing that scamming is a learned profession akin to any other skilled trade.

Laci Mosley [05:21]:
"I always say, and y'all, I know the congregation is tired of me saying this, but scamming is a job. It is a profession. It is a learned practice."

Jordan shares his fascination with scams, admiring their complexity and the thin line between scammers and legitimate CEOs. They discuss how modern businesses often operate on foundational scam-like principles, such as selling emotions and feelings rather than tangible products.

Jordan Carlos [07:55]:
"There’s a very thin line between scammers and CEOs anyway. So I'm just like, yeah, so I'm, I'm really kind of like delving into that. Because I'm like that really, that puts me in total awe."

Advertising as Scams: A Discussion

Laci and Jordan pivot to discussing the manipulative nature of advertising, likening it to scamming consumers by exploiting their emotions and insecurities. They critique how brands like Peloton use emotional storytelling to sell products that may offer limited real value.

Laci Mosley [09:00]:
"It's Giving vibes. I'm acting like I own a Peloton. I don't right now. I mean, I said right now. Cause I might get roped into that scam."

Jordan draws parallels between advertising strategies and scamming tactics, emphasizing how both aim to sell feelings rather than just products.

Jordan Carlos [13:39]:
"If you think about it, that's a beautiful scam. I mean, every slogan is a scam, right."

Listener Letters: Car Recalls and Rental Scams

The episode features listener-submitted letters warning about scams prevalent in the automotive industry. One such letter discusses the frustrations with Ford's recall process and deceptive practices by rental car companies.

Laci Mosley [23:11]:
"What good does that do me? I know. And I'll pause here just for one second because I want to say I had a Ford Focus, and the one that I had was a lemon, basically."

Another letter highlights unexpected charges and misleading terms imposed by rental agencies, prompting Laci and Jordan to offer practical advice on navigating such scams.

Jordan Carlos [23:37]:
"Could it be better for this person to just sell a car for parts? They get that cash and try to get a new car."

Deep Dive: The ABSCAM Operation

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to a historical analysis of the ABSCAM operation, an FBI sting targeting political corruption in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Laci recounts the origins of ABSCAM, detailing how initial efforts to catch art thieves evolved into a massive operation involving con men and undercover agents.

Laci Mosley [37:55]:
"I hate it because I've been ticketed so many times. But I low key also love it because I be seeing them sons of bitches waiting at me for the shit."

They explore the ethical complexities of the operation, including the use of entrapment by FBI agents posing as wealthy sheikhs to solicit bribes from politicians.

Jordan Carlos [46:07]:
"That's what the ABSCAM worked because he was a true criminal. So no one ever thought he was working with the government because he gives crime energy."

Laci and Jordan critique the operation's methods, asserting that breaking the law to catch criminals undermines legal integrity and fosters distrust in governmental institutions.

Laci Mosley [73:56]:
"They didn't think about the clear signs of, like, what is going on here?"

They also discuss the aftermath of ABSCAM, including the convictions of several congressmen and the broader implications for political accountability.

Modern Scams: Data Brokers and John Oliver's Critique

Shifting focus to contemporary issues, Laci highlights a segment from John Oliver criticizing data brokers who collect and sell personal information, often targeting vulnerable populations. The discussion underscores the sophistication of modern scams and the ethical breaches involved in data manipulation.

Laci Mosley [83:07]:
"John Oliver's like, I love it, but..."

Jordan praises John Oliver's approach to exposing scams, likening it to a form of comedic arbitrage that brings critical issues to public attention without direct scamming.

Jordan Carlos [81:20]:
"Arbitrage is like when you... if you're within the letter of the law but not the spirit of it, meaning you have zero morals."

They emphasize the importance of awareness and legal reforms to protect individuals from data exploitation and identity theft.

Closing Remarks

As the episode concludes, Laci and Jordan reflect on the complexities of fighting scams within a system that often enables them. They encourage listeners to stay vigilant, educate themselves about common scams, and advocate for greater transparency and accountability in both governmental and corporate practices.

Laci Mosley [89:47]:
"We not gonna drag you, sis. We're not gonna make fun of you. We've all been conditioned and lied to to think that police and people in the police state can break the law to catch criminals."

Jordan Carlos [89:40]:
"Visit scamgoddesspodmail.com and scam goddess pod on all platforms. If you want to see all of the photos and the things that we were talking about in person."

Both hosts sign off with a commitment to continuing their mission of exposing fraud with humor and integrity, inviting listeners to stay engaged and informed.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Carlos [05:54]:
  "Scammers often look at the work of other scammers to learn and study. And I was like, oh, they talk about me."

• Laci Mosley [09:58]:
  "But Peloton had the last laugh. Because during the pandemic, when all the gyms closed, they were like, aha, bitch, where you gonna work out now?"

• Laci Mosley [14:17]:
  "A lot of advertisement is like telling you you don't have enough. Telling you you need more things."

• Jordan Carlos [44:37]:
  "That processing fee is too high. But Mel look like he got hands. He look like he in the mob."

• Laci Mosley [72:37]:
  "The law is literally something that was made up by a bunch of old white dudes, and it changes all the time."

• Jordan Carlos [81:20]:
  "Arbitrage is like when you... it's unethical but not immoral. That's called arbitrage."

This episode of Scam Goddess offers an insightful and humorous exploration of scams, blending personal anecdotes with in-depth analysis of historical and modern fraudulent schemes. Laci Mosley and Jordan Carlos provide listeners with both entertainment and valuable lessons on recognizing and understanding the mechanics of fraud in various forms.