Scam Goddess Podcast: "FBI Fleeing Fugitive Scoots Underwater from Ponzi to Pond" with Kyle Gordon

Release Date: July 22, 2025

In this captivating episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley, also known as the Scam Goddess, delves deep into the intriguing world of financial fraud and audacious getaways. Joined by the multifaceted comedian and social media sensation Kyle Gordon, the episode masterfully blends humor with insightful analysis of some of the most bizarre and cunning scams in recent history.

1. Welcoming the Guest: Kyle Gordon

Timestamp: [00:52] – [02:19]

The episode kicks off with Laci introducing Kyle Gordon, a New Yorker with a vast online presence and a knack for musical comedy. With over six million followers across various platforms, Kyle brings a fresh and humorous perspective to the discussion on scams.

• Laci Mosley: “He has 6 million followers and over a billion views across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. So you have probably seen him.”

2. Personal Encounters with Scams

Timestamp: [02:25] – [05:57]

Laci and Kyle dive into their personal experiences with scams. While Kyle shares his inadvertent encounters with scams and even admits to running minor, harmless cons in his early career, Laci reminisces about the notorious "bringer shows" in New York, where aspiring comedians would manipulate friends and family to attend their performances.

• Kyle Gordon: “I may be subject to multiple scams that I don't even realize that are currently happening to me.”
• Laci Mosley: “One of the ultimate scams. It's still going on today.”

They humorously discuss the lengths they've gone to avoid or engage in scams, highlighting the pervasive nature of fraud in everyday life.

3. Historic Hoodwinks: The Matthew Piercey Ponzi Scheme

Timestamp: [11:22] – [44:48]

The heart of the episode lies in the Historic Hoodwinks segment, where Laci narrates the elaborate Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Matthew Piercey from Palo Cedro, California. Piercey defrauded investors out of $35 million through his companies, Family Wealth Legacy and Zola Financial, by promising fixed returns from securities, cryptocurrency mining, and life insurance investments.

• Laci Mosley: “Matthew Piercey ran a $35 million Ponzi scheme, then fled the FBI on an underwater scooter.”
• Kyle Gordon: “Ponzi scheme. Yeah, there we go. Tale as old as time.”

Piercey's audacious escape attempt is a focal point of their discussion. When confronted by FBI agents, he fled into Lake Shasta using a Yamaha 350L underwater submersive device, hiding underwater for 25 minutes before surrendering. Laci and Kyle humorously critique his escape strategy, questioning the efficacy of using such equipment in an enclosed lake environment.

• Laci Mosley: “He was putting his flippers on.”
• Kyle Gordon: “You can't even go that deep underwater with this. What were you thinking?”

The conversation highlights the blend of desperation and misplaced ingenuity in Piercey's actions, underscored by their comedic banter.

4. Affinity Fraud and Scams in Religious Communities

Timestamp: [21:52] – [27:40]

Laci sheds light on how Piercey exploited his position within the Bethel Church, an evangelical mega-church known for preaching prosperity gospel—a doctrine that promises wealth in return for faith and donations. This strategy made the congregation ripe for exploitation, allowing Piercey to solicit investments under the guise of divine favor.

• Laci Mosley: “Prosperity gospel is the idea that God rewards faith and wealth, which makes it an easy mark for Ponzi schemers.”
• Kyle Gordon: “They know people hate him. They only went for 50 signatures. They didn't even try.”

The discussion extends to past incidents within the church, emphasizing a pattern of financial deceit masquerading as spiritual guidance. Their analysis underscores the vulnerability of tight-knit communities to such fraudulent schemes.

5. Scootering Away: The Downfall of Matthew Piercey

Timestamp: [32:08] – [43:08]

As the story unfolds, Laci details Piercey's failed escape attempt. Utilizing a sea scooter, Piercey attempted to evade capture but was ultimately unsuccessful due to the limited speed and visibility of his device. The duo mocks the impracticality of his method, likening it to cartoonish scenarios.

• Laci Mosley: “He was bobbing for scam apples. He was like, did they get me? Oh, they still out there. Let's go back down.”
• Kyle Gordon: “He was right about one thing. The cops really didn't wanna get wet.”

Despite his creative effort, Piercey's plan fell apart when FBI agents, unable to match his underwater agility, eventually apprehended him. The aftermath saw him facing severe legal consequences, with charges including fraud, money laundering, and witness tampering, potentially leading to 20 years in prison.

• Laci Mosley: “Matthew pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering, and witness tampering. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.”

6. Scammer of the Week: The $25,000 LEGO Heist

Timestamp: [51:00] – [59:21]

Transitioning to a lighter yet equally intriguing topic, Laci and Kyle introduce the Scammer of the Week segment, spotlighting Michael Ivory Fletcher—a 32-year-old from California charged with stealing $25,000 worth of LEGO sets from Target stores over several months. The thefts, centered around rare and high-value LEGO editions, highlight the unique niches that modern scams can occupy.

• Laci Mosley: “LEGO thefts have become more frequent in the Los Angeles area with thieves targeting a specific kind of LEGO.”
• Kyle Gordon: “Legos are not cheap. Genuinely, that's like one Star Wars Death Star.”

Their playful exploration into the motives behind such thefts—ranging from investment resale values to sheer nostalgia—adds a whimsical layer to the episode, showcasing the diverse spectrum of scams.

7. Concluding Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [59:21] – [60:41]

As the episode winds down, Laci and Kyle reflect on the absurdity and complexity of scams, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and skepticism in financial dealings. They blend humor with cautionary tales, leaving listeners both entertained and informed.

• Laci Mosley: “Stay scheming.”
• Kyle Gordon: “Free Matthew.”

The episode concludes with acknowledgments and a brief mention of upcoming content, but stays true to the user’s request by focusing on the substantive discussions and key insights.

Notable Quotes

• Laci Mosley [12:00]: “Matthew Piercey ran a $35 million Ponzi scheme, then fled the FBI on an underwater scooter.”
• Kyle Gordon [19:00]: “The algorithm is my third cousin. If you just let me know what you need, I will call Algorithm up and be like, hey, Algorithm, this is my homeboy Kyle. Can y'all help him out?”
• Laci Mosley [27:03]: “The church's disclaimer wasn't enough to prevent Matthew from hitting it big time at the same church with another scheme.”
• Kyle Gordon [36:18]: “He was right about one thing. The cops really didn't wanna get wet.”

Key Takeaways

• Matthew Piercey's Scheme: A sophisticated Ponzi operation intertwined with religious community manipulation, culminating in a failed and comical underwater escape.
• Affinity Fraud: Harnessing the trust within tight-knit communities to perpetrate large-scale financial scams.
• Diverse Nature of Scams: From high-stakes financial fraud to niche thefts like expensive LEGO sets, scams continue to evolve and adapt to various societal niches.
• Humor as a Lens: Laci and Kyle use humor to dissect and discuss complex fraud mechanisms, making the content both engaging and informative.

This episode of Scam Goddess offers a blend of humor, storytelling, and investigative insight, making it a must-listen for enthusiasts of true crime, financial fraud, and comedic analysis.