Scam Goddess: "Fraud Friday: Bishop Gucci Con Man w/ Sam Sanders"

Released: January 2, 2026
Host: Laci Mosley
Guest: Sam Sanders (Intuit on Vulture, Vibe Check on Stitcher)

Episode Overview

This hilarious and eye-opening episode of Scam Goddess brings journalist and podcaster Sam Sanders into the "congregation" for a deep dive into church-themed scams old and new. Beginning with personal anecdotes about growing up in strict religious households, Laci and Sam explore how faith, trust, and community can be weaponized by grifters—from fly-by-night "helpful" fraudsters who prey on disaster victims, to the infamous "Bishop Gucci" case of the blinged-out Brooklyn pastor whose crimes and chutzpah raised eyebrows nationwide. True to Scam Goddess’s comedic roots, the episode is packed with biting cultural commentary, church-roasted wisdom, and big laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Church Upbringings and the "Scammy" Side of Religion

• Discussion: Both Laci and Sam grew up in strict religious backgrounds (Missionary Baptist for Laci, Pentecostal Apostolic for Sam). They reflect on the well-meaning aspects of church, but also the arbitrary and sometimes exploitative rules set by religious leaders.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Sam (03:28): “Church is a scam writ large.”
• Insight: While the heart of their home churches was mostly honest, they recognize church structures can easily exploit faith and community.

2. "What's Hot in Fraud" - The Blanket Guys Insurance Scam (09:32–28:20)

The Scam Story

• A listener (“Pauletta”) shares the story of a building fire, after which “helpful” strangers appear with blankets, food, and “restoration company” contacts.
• These “blanket guys” convince residents to sign paperwork during their moment of distress, leading to massive bills, insurance fraud, and property being held hostage.

Notable Analysis:

• Laci and Sam note the pattern of opportunistic fraud chasing disaster:
  • Sam (16:07): “They are the equivalent of ambulance chasers, but fire chasers.”
• Sam highlights the importance of knowing how legitimate insurance processes work and the danger of signing documents under duress:
  • Sam (27:41): “If you already have your own insurance, don't sign anything else until you've talked to them first. I feel like this is 101.”
• They riff on how scammers insert themselves as “trusted intermediaries,” making themselves look official and leveraging people’s vulnerability.
• They propose the necessity of emotional support ("blanket grannies and aunties")—a comedic detour—but ultimately reinforce caution after crises.

(31:00) - Historic Hoodwinks: The Bishop Gucci Con (AKA Bishop Lamor Whitehead)

Introducing the Bishop

• Background: Bishop Lamor Whitehead (“Bishop Gucci”) of Brooklyn’s Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries is thrust into fame when he’s robbed of $1 million in jewelry on a livestreamed church service.
• Key Question: Is Bishop Whitehead a victim, or was the robbery part of a web of scams and self-promotion?

Scambassador Behavior

• Documentation of Fraud:
  • Lavish displays of wealth (Gucci suits, jewelry) vs. a tiny congregation in a church above a Haitian restaurant (Sam: “If you have a Jesus piece, you should never know peace because you’re a fraud.” – 32:19).
  • Past criminal convictions: identity theft, forgery, and car/mortgage fraud.
  • Litigation, bounced checks, and accusations of defrauding church members.

Major Discussion Points:

• Old Money vs. New Money:
  • Sam (37:34): “This is the difference between old money and new money. Real, old money folks will have expensive stuff, but if you’re not as rich, you’d never know.”
• Prosperity Gospel as a Scam:
  • Laci and Sam dissect “prosperity gospel” tactics: demanding large “seed” offerings for blessings, auctioning the right to tithe at church.
  • Sam (54:15): “The definition of tithing biblically is just 10%... but are you trying to get your money up with God? Cuz if you want money from Jesus, you gotta invest and tell six of your friends.”
• Fake Real Estate Classes:
  • Sam and Laci rip on the bishop’s attempts to sell real estate seminars and investment opportunities, often with no traceable business and a track record of bounced checks and vanished funds.

Memorable Quotes:

• Laci (36:05): "The church looks like a Courtyard Marriott breakfast room—meanwhile you’re in gator boots and Gucci suits!”
• Sam (39:23): “There is a godly way to get robbed. This ain’t it.”
• Laci (59:56): "How you gonna reframe the narrative? 'I'm just treating your investment as a donation.' Wow."

Lessons and Takeaways

• Question ostentatious shows of wealth by spiritual leaders, especially when community needs go unmet.
• Do basic due diligence before involving yourself in "investment" schemes, especially from those with checkered pasts or unverifiable credentials.
• Sam (63:44): “Is there a moral to the story besides ‘watch out y’all, don’t get played’?”

4. Scammer of the Week: The Pink Sauce Fiasco (65:22–71:38)

• Overview: Viral TikToker “Chef Pii’s” homemade “Pink Sauce”—an unrefrigerated, inconsistently labeled condiment—becomes a social media phenomenon, then a health and legal headache.
• Scam Elements:
  • Dubious health/safety (no refrigeration, raw dairy, wild label inconsistencies).
  • Fake nutrition facts (“444 servings per bottle”).
  • Laci and Sam debate whether Chef Pii is an accidental scammer or just overreaching.
• Laci (70:36): “If you tell me about a sauce and you can’t tell me what it tastes like, people are gonna buy it. Out of curiosity, I’m intrigued.”
• Lesson: Going viral with a homemade product can quickly turn into fraud when you skip safety, labeling, and scale. (But, as always, it’s played for laughs.)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• 03:28 – Sam: “Church is a scam writ large.”
• 16:07 – Sam: Those “blanket guys” are “ambulance chasers, but fire chasers.”
• 27:41 – Sam: “If you already have your own insurance, don't sign anything else until you've talked to them first. I feel like this is 101.”
• 32:19 – Sam: “If you have a Jesus piece, you should never know peace because you’re a fraud.”
• 36:05 – Laci: "The church looks like a Courtyard Marriott breakfast room—meanwhile you’re in gator boots and Gucci suits!"
• 39:23 – Sam: “There is a godly way to get robbed. This ain’t it.”
• 54:15 – Sam: “The definition of tithing biblically is just 10%... but are you trying to get your money up with God? Cuz if you want money from Jesus, you gotta invest and tell six of your friends.”
• 59:56 – Laci: "How you gonna reframe the narrative? 'I'm just treating your investment as a donation.' Wow."
• 70:36 – Laci: "If you tell me about a sauce and you can’t tell me what it tastes like, people are gonna buy it. Out of curiosity, I’m intrigued.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------| | Church upbringings & intro | 02:00 | 09:37 | | "What's Hot in Fraud": Blanket Guys Scam | 09:37 | 28:20 | | Historic Hoodwinks: Bishop Gucci | 30:42 | 64:56 | | Scammer of the Week: Pink Sauce | 65:22 | 71:38 |

Tone and Style

Laci Mosley’s vibrant, conspiratorial energy is met by Sam Sanders’ witty, observant commentary. The episode is irreverent, rapid-fire, and thoroughly skeptical of “powerful men in hats” and all their schemes—grounded by direct experience with Black church culture and the dynamics of trust and hustle.

Conclusion

This episode is a perfect balance of comedic storytelling, hard truths about fraud, and side-splitting riffs on the fine line between faith and financial foolishness. The deep dive into Bishop Gucci is both a cautionary tale and an extended roast, but the overall message is clear: stay informed, stay questioning—and as Laci always says, stay scheming!