Podcast Summary: Scam Goddess
Episode: Fraud Friday: SiliCON Valley Theft Bro w/ Amanda Seales
Host: Laci Mosley
Guest: Amanda Seales
Date: September 12, 2025
Episode Overview
This re-released "Fraud Friday" classic features comedian, actress, and podcaster Amanda Seales joining Laci Mosley (aka Scam Goddess). Together, they blend comedy and caution around real-life stories of scams—from Amanda’s own harrowing brush with a six-figure fraud to small-time cons, celebrity-targeted swindles, and the wild saga of a Silicon Valley-themed scam artist in small-town Alabama. With irreverence and witty insight, the duo exposes the shadiest tricks in the scammer’s playbook, while highlighting how no one (not even celebrities!) is immune to fraud.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Amanda Seales' Six-Figure Scam Story
- Amanda recounts how she lost $119,000 to a sophisticated check scam posing as a Japanese philanthropist.
- The scam: Supposedly booked to perform at a philanthropic event in Japan; after being sent a large check, Amanda’s business manager said the check “posted,” so she was instructed to send a portion back, as per contract.
- The twist: “There’s a difference between a check clearing and a check posting…” (Amanda, 06:00). The check eventually bounced—too late to recall the wire transfer.
Memorable Quote:
“I was conned out of $119,000.” — Amanda Seales (07:26)
“You need to get muscle behind you, because if you were a rich white man, like, you would already have your money back.” — Amanda Seales (08:10)
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Amanda called in the FBI, used her IRS agent contact, and demanded accountability from her business management firm. She ultimately got reimbursed through persistent but calm confrontation.
- “Me being real quiet, like, this was scarier than me raising my voice… the next day, he called me and said, we’re sending you your money.” (Amanda, 09:37–09:54)
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Lessons & Warnings:
- Never trust online vetting alone, always check web domains carefully (e.g., scammers used .org vs. the legit .jp for a Japanese nonprofit, 11:05).
- Understand your banking terms—‘posting’ is NOT the same as ‘clearing.’
- Wire transfers and check-cashing scams now target celebrities as well as regular people.
2. Small-Time Scams and Scam Mentalities
- Amanda and Laci riff on past relationships with "scammer mindsets"—people always thinking "how do I get over?"
- Amanda briefly shares about a patient scammer ex whose “mindset was always, like, how do I get over” (03:20).
- Listener Letter:
- A woman (“Shayla”) describes a boyfriend who was both a weed dealer and a newspaper delivery scammer—picking up the papers, trashing them, and collecting a check (18:56–20:59).
- The hosts debate if this is resisting capitalism or just lazy (“At a certain point, it’s just a reflection of your character…”, Amanda, 20:59).
- Amanda introduces the term "hobosexual" (someone who is in a relationship for housing), to Laci’s delight (20:11).
Quote:
“I can't really vibe well with the whole idea of, like, ‘I don't want to work’ ... is it that you don't want to work, or you just don't want to do something you don't want to do?” — Amanda Seales (21:22)
3. Historic Hoodwinks: Silicon Valley Scam in Opelika, Alabama
Main Scam Story: The "SiliCON Valley Theft Bro"
- Focus: Kyle Sandler, who pretended to be a former Google exec and defrauded a small Alabama town out of nearly $2 million through a fake tech incubator (“Roundhouse”).
- Key scam elements:
- Sandler rolled into impoverished Opelika, Alabama, with stories of tech riches and promised innovation (34:45–36:08).
- He offered “venture capital,” “management training,” and “1 gigabyte Internet” (38:06).
- Gained credibility by associating with notorious figures (John McAfee) and getting locals like Chuck Whacker to invest (39:23).
- Classic scamming red flags:
- Vague job titles (“conductor” of Roundhouse).
- Fake documentation and never-disclosed background checks.
- Charisma and shame: Victims want to “hype up” the scammer’s skills to save face (40:09).
Quote:
“If you are a serial entrepreneur, you are going from crime to crime like Frogger.” — Laci Mosley (40:47)
- Victims include a 13-year-old entrepreneur and dozens of locals.
- Taylor Rosenthal’s first aid vending machine story—Sandler faked letters from Johnson & Johnson to get more investor hype (41:16–44:03).
- Collapse and aftermath:
- Roundhouse suddenly closed, investors realized Sandler never worked for Google, and local media outed the con (45:35–46:55).
- Sandler later faced multiple federal fraud charges (53:03).
4. Scammer of the Week: The Fortune Teller Who Stole $50,000
- A trendy "fortune teller" in California scams a victim by diagnosing her with spiritual and literal “parasites,” charging for “curse removal,” and demanding large sums (55:08–59:02).
- Laci and Amanda lampoon home-brewed mystics, crystal healing, and the absurdity of bringing one’s mattress for exorcism.
- “He would tell them to bring a mattress from their home, which he would cut open and claim to find…demonic items and letters” (58:41).
- They debate how much culpability victims have when willfully carrying furniture to a fake spiritualist (60:14–61:17).
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “I had a whole stalker, like, fake person just, like, hanging out with us. Oh, my Lord. I forgot about that. It’s real.” — Amanda recalls being scammed by a fake animator from Twitter (16:31)
- “My mom always said, you’re never rich enough to not sign your own checks.” — Laci Mosley (14:38)
- “Everybody can get beat up.” — Amanda Seales (15:03)
- “Theft is rated E for everyone.” — Laci Mosley (30:18)
- “If you go on two dates and you show up to your crib and it’s a mail from them, you got a hobo.” — Laci Mosley (20:34)
Key Timestamps
- Amanda’s scam story: 03:12 – 11:46
- Business manager & ‘Posting vs. Clearing’ explanation: 06:00 – 07:26
- Listener Scam letter segment: 18:56 – 24:51
- "Historic Hoodwinks" — SiliCON Valley Theft Bro: 34:19 – 54:29
- Scammer of the Week: Fortune teller scam: 55:08 – 61:38
- Closing plugs and Amanda’s projects: 63:36 – 68:15
Guest Plugs & Contact
- Amanda Seales:
- Laci Mosley:
- @DivaLaciDvaLaciDv
- Scam Goddess Pod
- [iCarly, Black Lady Sketch Show, HBO Max, and more]
Tone & Style
The entire episode maintains Laci’s quick-witted delivery, Amanda’s sharp candor, and a light, relatable, dishy tone—balancing life lessons with relentless humor and cultural commentary. The energy is boisterous, playful, sometimes self-deprecating, always conspiratorial.
For New Listeners
If you love true crime, want to laugh through some jaw-dropping modern scams, and hear real talk about how anyone can get conned (and how to avoid it), this is a can't-miss listen. Stay safe, and as Laci always advises: Stay schemin’!