Scam Goddess Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Scam Goddess
• Host/Author: Earwolf & Laci Mosley
• Episode: Fraud Friday: Social Schemin’ Platform w/ Sydnee Washington
• Release Date: August 15, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Fraud Fridays, a segment of the award-winning Scam Goddess podcast, host Laci Mosley welcomes her friend and guest, Emmy-nominated comedian and actress Sydnee Washington. The episode delves into various scams and fraudulent activities, both historical and contemporary, with a focus on misunderstandings and deceptive practices in the social media landscape.

Welcome and Guest Introduction [00:00 - 02:49]

Laci Mosley kicks off the episode by reintroducing the Fraud Fridays segment, which features older episodes culled from the Scam Goddess vault. She warmly welcomes Sydnee Washington, highlighting her achievements and recent move to Los Angeles, which Sydnee humorously attributes to Laci's "scamming" prowess.

Notable Quote:

• Laci Mosley [02:49]: "You could check it out right now on YouTube.com. She's a comedian, an actress, a writer, a model...you know, I have a very dear, very good friend on the show."

Sydney’s Experiences with Scams in LA [02:49 - 12:07]

Sydney shares her experiences with scams since moving to Los Angeles. She recounts being duped by a hairstylist posing as a luxury wig provider, charging exorbitant prices for subpar products. This segment sheds light on the prevalence of predatory practices in the beauty industry, especially targeting individuals seeking to maintain their appearance.

Notable Quotes:

• Sydney Washington [06:00]: "I went there to get a lace front and the prices… they charge me $1,800 for a wig that looks like it’s made from scraps."
• Laci Mosley [08:18]: "And being hot is hard... you gotta go to the gym, you gotta take care of your face."

Listener Story: Jackie’s Mother and the Busta Rhymes Scam [12:07 - 27:20]

The core of the episode revolves around a listener letter from "Jackie." Jackie’s 58-year-old mother was scammed by an individual impersonating the famous music artist Busta Rhymes. The scammer engaged her over Facebook and WhatsApp, flattering her and requesting iTunes gift cards and money transfers under the guise of funding a tour.

Sydney explains how they intervened, advising Jackie to block and report the scammer. Additionally, Sydney took proactive steps by impersonating the real Busta Rhymes to confront the scammer, leading to him blocking her—effectively thwarting his efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• Laci Mosley [17:19]: "Jackie Mama DMs claiming to be a famous music artist... was like Busta wasn't even asking for a lot."
• Sydney Washington [24:42]: "You gotta beat a scam at their own scam."

Deep Dive into Triller Platform Scams [27:20 - 71:02]

Laci and Sydney transition into a detailed analysis of the social media platform Triller, highlighting systemic issues and fraudulent practices affecting predominantly black creators. They discuss Triller's initial aggressive recruitment of black influencers through "hype houses" and lucrative contracts, which eventually turned sour due to unpaid wages, restrictive and exploitative contracts, and deceitful corporate practices.

Key points include:

• False Promises: Triller marketed itself as a platform supporting black creators but failed to deliver promised financial support and opportunities.
• Contractual Restrictions: Creators were bound by contracts limiting their ability to post on competing platforms, thereby restricting their income potential.
• Non-payment and Delays: Numerous creators reported significant delays and non-payment for their work, leading to financial hardships.
• Corporate Mismanagement: Triller's internal communications and management practices were criticized for prioritizing profits over ethical treatment of creators.

Notable Quotes:

• Sydney Washington [33:14]: "If you don't pay us, why are you even talking to us?"
• Laci Mosley [49:13]: "They found a way to be like, you could have gave us some bereavement content. How about this?"
• Sydney Washington [56:43]: "It's so insane. And to be a slave to this kind of machine when it used to be like, oh, you post whatever content you want."

The discussion escalates with animated exchanges mocking Triller's executive chairman, Bobby Valenti, for his unprofessional demeanor and ineffective strategies. Laci and Sydney express skepticism about Triller's ability to resolve these issues, underscoring the platform's ongoing neglect of its creator community.

Notable Quotes:

• Laci Mosley [54:40]: "You gotta do it for the story... live by that."
• Sydney Washington [64:57]: "Imagine one of the lawyer that's supposed to be in court is also now making dances on the flip."

Scammer of the Week: Etienne Klein’s Sausage as a Star [71:02 - 79:50]

In the final segment, Laci and Sydney highlight a bizarre case involving French physicist Etienne Klein, who mistakenly tweeted a photo of a sliced chorizo sausage, claiming it was an image of the star Proxima Centauri captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. The tweet went viral, garnering over 20,000 likes before Klein had to retract his statement.

Notable Quotes:

• Laci Mosley [72:18]: "Look at the lines and the ridges and look at the fatty parts. They're supposed to look like explosions."
• Sydney Washington [74:07]: "You have nothing else but churning out this content to get these views and followers."

The hosts critique Klein’s lapse in judgment, emphasizing the dangers of misinformation and the trivialization of scientific authenticity in the age of social media.

Conclusion

Laci and Sydney wrap up the episode by reiterating the importance of vigilance against scams and encouraging listeners to report fraudulent activities. They maintain their signature humorous and candid tone, making complex fraud topics engaging and relatable.

Final Notable Quotes:

• Laci Mosley [79:50]: "Stay scheming. Scam Goddess."
• Sydney Washington [78:53]: "Support small black businesses. Y' all scams."

Key Takeaways

• Awareness of Predatory Practices: The beauty industry, particularly in LA, harbors scams that exploit individuals seeking quality services.
• Social Media Scams: Platforms like Triller may present themselves as supportive but can engage in exploitative practices that financially harm creators.
• Misinformation Risks: Even reputable professionals can inadvertently spread misinformation, emphasizing the need for fact-checking and accountability.

This episode of Scam Goddess effectively combines humor with critical insights into modern scams, making listeners both entertained and informed. By featuring personal stories and dissecting larger systemic issues, Laci Mosley and Sydnee Washington provide a comprehensive look into the multifaceted world of fraud and deception.