Podcast Summary: Scam Goddess – Fraud Friday: Rent-A-Hitman Dot Con w/ Jamie Lee

Release Date: December 27, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley, also known as the Scam Goddess, delves into the intricate world of online scams with special guest Jamie Lee. The episode, titled "Fraud Friday: Rent-A-Hitman Dot Con," explores contemporary fraud schemes, historic cons, and the evolving landscape of online deceit. Throughout the conversation, Laci and Jamie provide insightful analyses, personal anecdotes, and expert commentary on various scams, ensuring listeners are both entertained and informed.

1. Personal Encounter with an Instagram Scam

Timestamp: 04:31 – 07:03

Jamie Lee recounts her unsettling experience being targeted by a Craigslist scam while attempting to purchase psychedelic mushrooms via Instagram. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of online transactions, especially in the dark corners of social media marketplaces.

• Jamie Lee's Experience:

  • Initial Contact: Jamie needed to buy shroom gummies and found a now-deleted Instagram account named "Silo Delic."
    • Jamie Lee (04:31): “I was on the receiving end of a classic Craigslist scam.”
  • Payment Issues: She negotiated the price but was then asked for additional funds under dubious pretenses such as "insurance" and "gas."
    • Laci Mosley (09:15): "Danica's listening to her therapist. She thought the therapist said she would like shrooms, but..."
    • Jamie Lee (12:00): “This whole thing is stressing me out.”

• Red Flags Identified:

  • Unclear Payment Terms: Requests for multiple payments without clear justification.
  • Lack of Transparency: The seller's vague explanations about the additional fees.
  • Absence of Physical Interaction: Despite the purchase being on Instagram, the scammer exhibited suspicious behavior.

Conclusion: Jamie's ordeal underscores the importance of vigilance and skepticism when engaging in online purchases, especially for illicit substances.

2. Historic Hoodwinks: The Rent-A-Hitman Con

Timestamp: 17:21 – 42:00

The "Historic Hoodwinks" segment dissects the infamous Rent-A-Hitman scam, highlighting how a seemingly straightforward website evolved into a convoluted fraud scheme that entangled both victims and unsuspecting parties.

• Origin of Rent-A-Hitman:

  • Initial Setup: Bob Ennis, along with a college friend, launched an IT help site in 2005 using the domain "rentahitman.com," intending it as a cheeky nod to website clicks ("hits").
    • Laci Mosley (21:33): “Number one on Google, you know, I put Hitman. Rent a Hitman's right there.”

• Escalation into Fraud:

  • Unexpected Inquiries: Over three years, the website began receiving over 350 emails, including serious murder for hire requests, innocent inquiries, and hoaxes.
    • Jamie Lee (34:31): “What does that mean, seeking employment?”
  • Law Enforcement Involvement: Upon realizing the nature of the inquiries, Bob collaborated with authorities, leading to the arrest of individuals like Helen and Wendy Wine for soliciting murders.
    • Laci Mosley (31:13): “In 2020, a 51-year-old woman from Michigan named Wendy Wine sent an email to Bob believing he was Guido Fenelli.”

• Key Features of the Scam:

  • Professional Front: Use of aliases (e.g., Guido Finelli), vague descriptions, and fabricated badges like "HIPPA" (Hitman Information Privacy and Protection Act of 1964).
    • Jamie Lee (32:14): “If you have pre-existing conditions for wanting to murder, that's between you and your hitman.”
  • Operational Details: Requests for detailed personal information under the guise of seeking hitman services, leading to legal consequences for both the scammers and the unsuspecting clients.

Conclusion: The Rent-A-Hitman scam exemplifies how fraudulent websites can exploit serious criminal intents, leading to unintended legal repercussions and emphasizing the need for critical evaluation of online services.

3. Scammer of the Week: Azusa Gaku Yuki – The Fake Biker Persona

Timestamp: 43:23 – 54:18

In the "Scammer of the Week" segment, Laci Mosley and Jamie Lee explore the deceptive practices of a Twitter individual known as Azusa Gaku Yuki, who portrayed a young female biker while concealing his true identity as a middle-aged man using FaceApp.

• Profile of Azusa Gaku Yuki:

  • Persona Creation: A 50-year-old man employed FaceApp to alter his appearance, presenting himself as a youthful female biker on Twitter.
    • Laci Mosley (43:51): “He has been using FaceApp, the photo editing tool that drastically alters one's appearance...”
  • Public Exposure: The ruse was uncovered on the Late Show, where the production team revealed his true identity during a live segment.
    • Jamie Lee (47:06): “But it's like he must know, like after a certain point...”

• Psychological and Cultural Insights:

  • Desire for Popularity: Azusa's transformation highlights the lengths individuals may go to gain social media fame and validation.
    • Laci Mosley (44:45): “He altered his face...”
  • Internet Vigilance: The community's role in debunking false personas, as Twitter users detected inconsistencies in reflections within photos.
    • Jamie Lee (46:42): “He didn't edit his face in the mirror.”

• Impact and Reception:

  • Public Reaction: Mixed feelings towards Azusa, with some finding humor in the deception while others critique the superficiality it represents.
    • Laci Mosley (53:23): “He was altering his face... what he wants out of it is, like, being a hot girl on a bike.”

Conclusion: The Azusa Gaku Yuki case serves as a modern example of identity fraud on social media, reflecting broader societal obsessions with image and the lengths individuals will go to attain online fame.

4. Analysis of the Diet and Cosmetics Industry as Scams

Timestamp: 48:17 – 51:24

Laci and Jamie briefly touch upon how industries like dieting and cosmetics manipulate consumer self-esteem to perpetuate their business models, categorizing them as scams due to their exploitative nature.

• Diet Industry Critique:

  • Manipulative Advertising: Ads target individuals with higher BMIs during late hours, capitalizing on their vulnerabilities to sell ineffective or harmful products.
    • Laci Mosley (48:54): “The entire scam of the diet industry is... making you feel bad.”

• Cosmetics and Image Alteration:

  • App Dependency: The use of apps like FaceApp and Facetune to alter appearances perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards.
    • Jamie Lee (44:23): “Face app is a hundred percent a scam.”

Conclusion: The discussion underscores the ethical concerns surrounding industries that manipulate self-perception for profit, advocating for greater consumer awareness and critical engagement with such products.

5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 54:18 – End

As the episode winds down, Laci and Jamie reflect on the pervasive nature of scams in various facets of life, from online marketplaces to social media personas. They emphasize the importance of skepticism, due diligence, and community vigilance in combating fraud. The hosts also promote upcoming content, such as Jamie Lee's new Netflix show "The Wedding Coach," and encourage listeners to stay informed and cautious in their interactions.

• Final Remarks:
  • Laci Mosley (54:39): “Congregation stay scheming. This has been an Earwolf production in association with Teen Coco.”

Overall Conclusion: This episode of Scam Goddess masterfully blends personal anecdotes with historical and contemporary scam analyses, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of fraud mechanisms. Through engaging dialogue and expert insights, Laci Mosley and Jamie Lee equip their audience with the knowledge to recognize and avoid falling victim to various scams.

Notable Quotes:

• Jamie Lee (04:36): “I was on the receiving end of a classic Craigslist scam.”
• Laci Mosley (09:15): “Danica's listening to her therapist. She thought the therapist said she would like shrooms, but...”
• Jamie Lee (12:00): “This whole thing is stressing me out.”
• Laci Mosley (21:33): “Number one on Google, you know, I put Hitman. Rent a Hitman's right there.”
• Laci Mosley (43:51): “He has been using FaceApp, the photo editing tool that drastically alters one's appearance...”
• Jamie Lee (34:31): “What does that mean, seeking employment?”
• Jamie Lee (46:42): “He didn't edit his face in the mirror.”
• Laci Mosley (48:54): “The entire scam of the diet industry is... making you feel bad.”

Listeners can tune in to future episodes every Tuesday for new content and on Fridays for classic re-releases. Stay connected with Scam Goddess on all major platforms and join the "Con-gregation" to continue exploring the humorous and enlightening side of fraud. As always, Laci Mosley signs off with her signature phrase: "Stay scheming!"