Scam Goddess Podcast Episode Summary
Episode Title: Fraud Friday: The Queen of Cons w/ Miranda Cosgrove & Nathan Kress
Release Date: January 17, 2025
Overview
In this engaging episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley is joined by special guests Miranda Cosgrove and Nathan Kress to delve into the fascinating world of cons and fraud. Titled "Fraud Friday: The Queen of Cons," the episode combines humor with in-depth discussions on both contemporary scams and historical fraud schemes, providing listeners with both entertainment and insightful analysis.
Introduction of Guests
The episode opens with a light-hearted introduction of the guests, Miranda Cosgrove and Nathan Kress. Both former child models and actors known for their roles in popular TV shows like iCarly, they bring a relatable and humorous perspective to the conversation.
Notable Quotes:
- Laci Mosley [02:50]: "Is this good, girl? Is that y'all like that respond?"
- Miranda Cosgrove [03:00]: "I did some Kmart ads."
Personal Views on Scams
Laci, Miranda, and Nathan share their personal relationships with scams, revealing a mix of fascination and frustration. Laci expresses a "deep, dark, masochistic" interest in the creativity and confidence scammers possess, while Nathan emphasizes his support for "scamming up" (targeting corporations) versus harming individuals.
Notable Quotes:
- Laci Mosley [06:20]: "I have a very conflicting relationship with scams because I'm so fascinated by them."
- Nathan Kress [07:15]: "If you're scamming up, I love that. If you're harming people, though, I'm absolutely on your side."
"What's Hot and Fraud" Segment
In this segment, the hosts discuss current scam trends and share amusing anecdotes about fraudulent activities they've encountered or invented.
Student Fraud Story: Nathan recounts a clever scam orchestrated by a first grader who manipulated a classroom ticket system to win excessive prizes by erasing others' names and adding his own. This story highlights how even the youngest individuals can exhibit cunning behavior akin to seasoned scammers.
Notable Quotes:
- Nathan Kress [14:49]: "I don't know. It's giving Naomi Campbell. It's giving Miranda Kerr."
- Miranda Cosgrove [13:00]: "Mary Ellen."
"Historic Hoodwinks" Segment: The Story of Cassie Chadwick
The centerpiece of the episode is the detailed exploration of Cassie Chadwick, a notorious historical scammer from the early 1900s. Cassie, also known as Betty Bigley and Madame Maria Rosa, employed various aliases and sophisticated tactics to defraud banks and wealthy individuals, amassing over $32 million in today's currency.
Key Points:
- Multiple Identities: Cassie used half a dozen different names to reinvent herself and evade detection.
- Savvy Fraud Techniques: She pioneered check fraud by writing checks for amounts exceeding her purchases and requesting cash back, a tactic reminiscent of modern-day scams.
- Charismatic Deception: Cassie's confidence and charm allowed her to manipulate bankers and secure substantial loans without raising suspicion initially.
- Downfall: Despite her ingenious methods, Cassie's schemes eventually led to her conviction and imprisonment after defrauding the Citizen National Bank of Oberlin.
Notable Quotes:
- Laci Mosley [27:02]: "A woman named Cassie Chadwick... she had new names all the time, which I love. Reinvent yourself."
- Nathan Kress [31:19]: "She was definitely an innovator, a pioneer."
- Miranda Cosgrove [37:17]: "You're a rich lady."
"Scammer of the Week" Segment: Florida Man's Unclaimed Property Fraud
In the final segment, the hosts shift focus to a contemporary scam involving Alvaro Abiru, a Florida man charged with 114 counts of fraud. Alvaro exploited the state's unclaimed property system by using fake names and forged documents to wrongfully claim over $2 million in property.
Key Points:
- Methodology: Alvaro filed multiple claims using fictitious identities and deceived the system into releasing funds meant for genuinely unclaimed properties.
- Impact: His actions not only drained state resources but also highlighted vulnerabilities in unclaimed property programs that scammers can exploit.
Notable Quotes:
- Laci Mosley [78:20]: "He was born in the wrong time. He should have ended up with Cassie's daddy."
- Nathan Kress [78:32]: "So he would file claims and then deposit the money received into any of his many bank accounts for his fake companies."
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the cunning nature of scammers, both historical and modern. They emphasize the importance of staying vigilant and informed to protect oneself from falling victim to such fraudulent schemes. Laci reminds listeners to "stay schemin'," encapsulating the podcast's blend of humor and insightful commentary on the world of scams.
Notable Quotes:
- Laci Mosley [88:35]: "Stay scheming."
- Nathan Kress [84:58]: "Stay Chadwicking. Bye Bye. Scam Goddess."
Takeaways:
- Scam Goddess effectively combines comedy with educational content, making the exploration of fraud intriguing and entertaining.
- Understanding historical scams like Cassie Chadwick's provides valuable lessons on the evolution of fraudulent tactics.
- Modern scams, such as the unclaimed property fraud, demonstrate that the art of deception remains as relevant as ever.
For those interested in the lighter side of true crime and the mechanics behind various cons, this episode offers a perfect blend of humor, storytelling, and critical analysis.