Podcast Summary: Scam Goddess - Fraud Friday: The Fake Heiress at Mar-A-Lago w/ Kimia Behpoornia

Released on January 31, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley (also known as the Scam Goddess) welcomes comedian and actress Kimia Behpoornia for a lively discussion centered around fraud, personal scams, and a fascinating historical caper involving Mar-A-Lago. True to the show's blend of comedy and true crime, Laci and Kimia delve into both humorous anecdotes and serious fraudulent activities, all while maintaining a lighthearted banter.

Personal Scams and Experiences

Kimia’s Craigslist Disney Scam
Kimia shares a personal story about attempting to surprise her wife's mother with Disneyland tickets. Facing financial constraints, she turned to Craigslist and was deceived by a scammer claiming to have extra tickets due to an aunt's unforeseen hospitalization.

• Quote:
  Kimia Bornoia [06:25]: "So I was trying to go to Disneyland because my wife's mom was cancer free, and we were like, wow."

• Quote:
  Lacey Mosley [07:04]: "But too many. All you gotta say is, I got tickets."

This experience highlights the common red flags in online scams, such as unsolicited offers at discounted rates and emotionally charged stories to lower the victim's guard.

Navigating Personal Challenges and Loss
Laci opens up about her struggle with vertigo, detailing an embarrassing incident where she ended up in the emergency room after a severe vertigo attack. The conversation touches on the stigma surrounding medical emergencies and the often impersonal nature of healthcare interactions.

• Quote:
  Lacey Mosley [17:08]: "If I'm gonna avoid my bowels. Not on the toilet. It's definitely in an ambulance. This is an emergency. We in an emergency pool."

Workplace Dynamics and HR Challenges
Laci recounts her experiences with difficult workplaces and challenging managers, emphasizing the emotional toll of unjust firings and the complexities of human resources dynamics.

• Quote:
  Lacey Mosley [29:23]: "And then I went to another restaurant, short term, which was also high end, but it was privately owned and they didn't know what the fuck they were doing."

Historic Hoodwinks: The Fake Heiress at Mar-A-Lago

The centerpiece of this episode is the detailed exploration of a sophisticated scam involving Anna de Rothschild, a fake heiress who infiltrated former President Donald Trump's Mar-A-Lago estate.

Background and Entry into Mar-A-Lago
Anna de Rothschild, a Russian-speaking immigrant from Ukraine, posed as a wealthy heiress with connections to the affluent Rothschild family. Her entry into Mar-A-Lago was marked by appearances alongside high-profile figures like Donald Trump and Senator Lindsey Graham.

• Quote:
  Lacey Mosley [36:38]: "Anna de Rothschild, a Russian speaking immigrant from Ukraine whose father was a truck driver from Illinois."

Sophisticated Fraud Tactics
Anna utilized deepfake technology to impersonate Mark Ruffalo during video calls, building a deceptive relationship with Chick Eye Adei, a 74-year-old manga artist. This manipulation led Chick to invest significant sums, believing she was in a genuine romantic relationship.

• Quote:
  Lacey Mosley [65:08]: "So she was first approached in 2018 on Facebook by a man claiming to be Mark Ruffalo."

Use of Charitable Organizations for Money Laundering
Anna became president of the United Hearts of Mercy, a charity that ostensibly aimed to help impoverished children. However, investigations revealed that the charity was a facade for funneling funds to Russian organized crime groups.

• Quote:
  Lacey Mosley [45:00]: "And there's no evidence that either charities did any work for impoverished children. And a certified public accountant hired by the charity has alleged it was actually a source of funds for Russian organized group."

Exposure and Legal Ramifications
The scam unraveled when Dean Lawrence, a Florida music creative director, recognized Anna from their previous professional interactions. This recognition led to increased scrutiny and eventually an FBI raid on Mar-A-Lago, uncovering Anna's fraudulent activities and the misappropriation of funds.

• Quote:
  Lacey Mosley [56:12]: "So a court dispute erupted last year with her former business partner, who in response, has since released information about the details of her other business activities."

Analysis of Scamming Techniques

Celebrity Impersonation and Trust Exploitation
The use of deepfake technology and impersonation of celebrities like Mark Ruffalo showcases the evolving sophistication of scams. By leveraging recognizable figures, scammers can build instant trust and manipulate victims more effectively.

• Quote:
  Kimia Bornoia [63:35]: "A manga artist scammed out of 75 million yen by a scammer who claimed that he was Mark Ruffalo."

Leveraging Charities for Financial Deceit
Charitable organizations often enjoy tax-exempt status, making them attractive vehicles for money laundering. The lack of stringent oversight allows scammers to mask illicit activities under the guise of philanthropy.

• Quote:
  Lacey Mosley [44:45]: "They were like, oh, yeah, the kids are hungry, y'all. We gonna get them food and snacks and whatnot."

Exploitation of Personal Relationships
Scammers often exploit personal relationships, as seen in Anna's manipulation of Chick Eye Adei, to extract financial support under false pretenses. Emotional manipulation combined with false identities makes victims more susceptible to deception.

Lessons and Insights

Vigilance Against Impersonation
The episode underscores the importance of verifying the identities of individuals, especially in online interactions. Double-checking through official channels can prevent falling prey to impersonation scams.

• Quote:
  Lacey Mosley [68:17]: "Your first question should be, why do you need money from me?"

Awareness of Charitable Scams
Donors should research charities before contributing, ensuring that the organization is legitimate and that their funds are used appropriately. Transparency and accountability are key factors in determining the legitimacy of a charity.

Emotional Red Flags
Scams often involve emotional manipulation, whether through romantic relationships or urgent financial needs. Recognizing these emotional cues can help individuals avoid making impulsive decisions that lead to financial loss.

Conclusion

In this episode of Scam Goddess, Laci Mosley and Kimia Behpoornia blend humor with critical insights into the world of fraud and scams. From personal anecdotes about deceptive online offers to the intricate tale of a fake heiress infiltrating Mar-A-Lago, the episode serves as both entertainment and a cautionary tale. Listeners are encouraged to stay vigilant, verify identities, and approach charitable contributions with due diligence to protect themselves from falling victim to similar schemes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Kimia Bornoia [06:25]: "So I was trying to go to Disneyland because my wife's mom was cancer free, and we were like, wow."
• Lacey Mosley [07:04]: "But too many. All you gotta say is, I got tickets."
• Lacey Mosley [17:08]: "If I'm gonna avoid my bowels. Not on the toilet. It's definitely in an ambulance. This is an emergency. We in an emergency pool."
• Lacey Mosley [36:38]: "Anna de Rothschild, a Russian speaking immigrant from Ukraine whose father was a truck driver from Illinois."
• Lacey Mosley [56:12]: "So a court dispute erupted last year with her former business partner, who in response, has since released information about the details of her other business activities."
• Kimia Bornoia [63:35]: "A manga artist scammed out of 75 million yen by a scammer who claimed that he was Mark Ruffalo."

Stay Scheming with Scam Goddess!
For more insightful and entertaining discussions on fraud and scams, tune into Scam Goddess every Tuesday for new episodes or catch classic episodes re-released every Friday. Don’t forget to follow Laci Mosley and connect with the "Con-gregation" community to experience the funny side of fraud.