Fraud Friday: Australia’s Cop Con Artist with AJ Gibson & Emil Ennis Jr.
Podcast Information:
- Title: Scam Goddess
- Host: Laci Mosley (aka Scam Goddess)
- Guests: AJ Gibson & Emil Ennis Jr.
- Episode: Fraud Friday: Australia’s Cop Con Artist
- Release Date: June 13, 2025
Introduction
In this riveting episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley dives deep into the intriguing world of fraud with special guests AJ Gibson and Emil Ennis Jr., co-hosts of the podcast Confess Your Mess. Together, they explore the sensational case of Jody Harris, Australia's notorious "Con Queen," while sharing their own personal experiences with scams and fraud.
Personal Experiences with Scams
AJ Gibson’s Troubling Romance (07:23 - 09:00)
AJ opens up about a tumultuous relationship where he fell for a seemingly successful and attractive man. He describes red flags such as his partner’s suspicious behavior around roommates and the overly luxurious yet unverified setup of his apartment.
AJ Gibson (07:54): “He was avoiding maintenance because all his furniture didn’t belong to him, stolen from the complex.”
Emil Ennis Jr.’s Insight (08:30 - 09:00)
Emil echoes AJ’s sentiments, sharing how he too was deceived by someone who appeared trustworthy but was involved in fraudulent activities.
Emil Ennis Jr. (09:00): “Every now and then, he’d have details about his life that didn't add up.”
Historic Hoodwinks: The Jody Harris Case (36:55 - 68:38)
Early Beginnings and Confidence (36:55 - 37:08)
Jody Harris started her criminal career by befriending police officers in Queensland. Her confidence and ability to convincingly impersonate various professionals allowed her to gain trust effortlessly.
Lacie Mosley (36:55): “If you do things confidently, people don't have any reason to question you.”
Signature Scams and Identity Theft (36:10 - 38:07)
Jody’s hallmark was her ability to impersonate police officers and other professionals, granting her access to confidential information and enabling large-scale identity theft.
Lacie Mosley (36:55): “She posed as doctors, psychologists, business managers, and even claimed ties to the mafia to execute her scams.”
Major Fraud Schemes (41:52 - 50:10)
Jody conducted elaborate scams, including:
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Hospital Fraud: Posed as a nurse to steal personal details and access bank accounts, resulting in significant financial losses for victims.
Emil Ennis Jr. (46:20): “She really stole the identity. Like, you hear about a little credit card scam, she was like, no, I am you now.”
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Flight Attendant Deception: Impersonated a Virgin Airlines hostess to gain access to flight attendants' personal information and steal substantial amounts.
AJ Gibson (54:09): “She could flirt with someone in a row and steal their information.”
Capture and Arrest (60:14 - 68:38)
Jody’s criminal spree was eventually halted through a combination of her own taunting and the cooperative efforts of Detective Andrew Twinning. Her elaborate live-updates and staged scenarios led authorities to set a trap, culminating in her arrest.
Lacie Mosley (60:37): “It's like a scenario from the Leonardo DiCaprio film Catch Me If You Can.”
Sentencing and Aftermath (68:38 - 74:07)
Jody faced multiple charges across different jurisdictions, resulting in several years of imprisonment. Despite her conviction, her charisma and manipulation skills left a lasting impression on both victims and law enforcement.
Emil Ennis Jr. (68:32): “She's getting out at 30. That's a two-year bid for like 10 years of living lavish, stealing from everybody.”
Secondary Scam Highlight: Jason Harrington’s Art Fraud (63:26 - 74:00)
Overview of the Scam (63:26 - 65:17)
Jason Harrington orchestrated an art fraud scheme, selling forgeries of Richard Hamilton’s works by creating fake provenance documents and photoshopped images to legitimize the counterfeit art.
Emil Ennis Jr. (71:24): “He wrote fake letters and was like, ‘My cousin Johnny met Hamilton.’”
Mechanics of the Fraud (65:17 - 72:05)
Harrington’s elaborate stories convinced buyers of the authenticity of his forgeries, leading to substantial financial gains.
AJ Gibson (73:19): “If it looked real, and art has a lot of money laundering in art, there's a lot of scamming in art.”
Comparative Insights (72:05 - 73:18)
The hosts compare Harrington’s fraud to popular culture references, highlighting the audacity and creativity required to pull off such scams.
AJ Gibson (73:18): “It's all made up. That's why you gotta love yourself. You put the value in yourself.”
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- AJ Gibson (07:54): “He was avoiding maintenance because all his furniture didn’t belong to him, stolen from the complex.”
- Emil Ennis Jr. (09:00): “Every now and then, he’d have details about his life that didn't add up.”
- Lacie Mosley (36:55): “If you do things confidently, people don't have any reason to question you.”
- Emil Ennis Jr. (46:20): “She really stole the identity. Like, you hear about a little credit card scam, she was like, no, I am you now.”
- Lacie Mosley (60:37): “It's like a scenario from the Leonardo DiCaprio film Catch Me If You Can.”
- AJ Gibson (73:18): “It's all made up. That's why you gotta love yourself. You put the value in yourself.”
Insights and Conclusions
This episode underscores the sophisticated methods fraudsters like Jody Harris employ to deceive and manipulate their victims. Confidence, adaptability, and elaborate storytelling are key traits that enable successful scams. The guests emphasize the importance of vigilance and skepticism in personal relationships and business dealings to mitigate the risk of falling prey to such fraudulent schemes.
Final Remarks and Plugs
As the episode wraps up, Laci and her guests promote their respective podcasts and social media channels, encouraging listeners to stay informed and connected.
- AJ Gibson: Promotes "Confess Your Mess" and his Amazon Live presence.
- Emil Ennis Jr.: Advocates for his book "Flipping the Script" and his radio show "The Morning Beat" on Channel Q Radio.
Emil Ennis Jr.: “If you want to listen to more like this, start with Laci's episode. Start with Laci's episode.”
Conclusion
Scam Goddess delivers an engaging and comprehensive exploration of high-profile fraud cases, enriched by personal anecdotes and expert insights from guests AJ Gibson and Emil Ennis Jr. By unraveling the complex tactics of Jody Harris and Jason Harrington, the podcast provides listeners with a deeper understanding of the world of con artistry and the importance of safeguarding oneself against deceit.
Stay scheming and stay informed with Scam Goddess!
