Podcast Summary: Fraud Friday – The Queen Sheep Herder of New Zealand w/ Lady Bunny & Monét X Change
Podcast Information:
- Title: Fraud Friday: The Queen Sheep Herder of New Zealand w/ Lady Bunny & Monét X Change
- Hosts: Laci Mosley (Scam Goddess) on Earwolf
- Guests: Lady Bunny and Monét X Change
- Release Date: June 27, 2025
Introduction
In this engaging episode of Fraud Friday, Laci Mosley, also known as the Scam Goddess, welcomes two legendary drag queens—Lady Bunny and Monét X Change. Both guests are celebrated figures from the drag community and hosts of the popular podcast Ebony and Ivory on Starburns Audio. The trio dives into the fascinating world of scams, blending humor with insightful discussions about both historical and contemporary frauds.
Notable Quote:
Laci Mosley [03:25]: "We're back for another installment of Scam Goddard. God, yes. And I'm especially proud and very excited."
Personal Scams and Experiences
The conversation kicks off with Monét X Change sharing her past experiences with scamming individuals she dated. Monét humorously recounts how she "luxuriated" in the schemes of her partners, ultimately turning the tables by scamming them first.
Notable Quote:
Monét X Change [08:35]: "I'm not ashamed to say it. It was a part of my life. I luxuriated in the scammation of it all."
Lady Bunny adds her own anecdotes, including impersonating a famous singer to gain access to exclusive events. The trio exchanges witty banter about their scamming tactics and the humorous repercussions that followed.
Notable Quote:
Lady Bunny [12:26]: "You think I'm impersonating Shirley Murdoch? Honey, that's an A-list scammer right there."
Historical Scam: Amy Bach, the Queen Sheep Herder of New Zealand
The centerpiece of the episode focuses on Amy Bach, a notorious scammer from the late 19th to early 20th century New Zealand. Laci meticulously narrates Amy's elaborate frauds, starting with her deceptive guise as Percival Leonard Carroll Redwood, a wealthy sheep farmer. Amy's charm and strategic storytelling allowed her to secure loans and marry into affluent families, all while orchestrating a series of cons that spanned decades.
Key Points:
- Early Life: Born in 1859, Amy faced familial challenges, with her mother being institutionalized for mental health issues.
- Initial Scams: Began with minor frauds like acquiring goods on false credit and sending inflated purchases to unsuspecting families.
- Transformation into Percy Redwood: Successfully impersonated a male sheep farmer to integrate into rural communities, securing loans and planning grand weddings based on false pretenses.
- Arrest and Conviction: Detection by Detective Henry Hunt led to her eventual arrest. Amy's ability to manipulate perceptions resulted in a relatively lenient sentence despite her extensive criminal activities.
- Legacy: Despite multiple convictions, Amy maintained a reputation for being a "wholesome criminal," avoiding violent crimes and maintaining respectable employment.
Notable Quotes:
Laci Mosley [32:08]: "Amy leaned on her reputation as Percy to obtain loans and build a façade of generosity and trustworthiness."
Monét X Change [33:42]: "Gemini rising. So I definitely have a little scam in me."
The discussion sheds light on the societal context of Amy's scams, including gender roles and the exploitation of mental health stigmas to deflect blame.
Notable Quote:
Laci Mosley [45:03]: "Amy was high on lies and scams. Percy, you fucked up because when you were Amy, you had the sympathy of sexism."
Modern Scams: Impersonation in Business
Transitioning from historical frauds, the trio examines a contemporary scam involving Goldman Sachs and Ozzy Media. The incident entailed an impersonator using altered digital voices to deceive executives during a high-stakes investment meeting. This scam highlights the evolving nature of fraud in the digital age, where technological advancements are weaponized to perpetrate deceit on a corporate scale.
Key Points:
- The Scam: Carlos Watson of Ozzy Media orchestrated a Zoom meeting impersonation using Samir Ryo’s voice, misleading Goldman Sachs into believing they were dealing with legitimate executives.
- Detection: Post-meeting discrepancies and a scrambled voice led to suspicions, prompting an investigation by YouTube and alerted Goldman Sachs.
- Response: Ozzy Media attributed the incident to a mental health crisis affecting their COO, an explanation that partially satisfied stakeholders but left other fraudulent activities unchecked.
- Implications: Raises concerns about corporate security measures and the sophistication required to thwart such high-level impersonations.
Notable Quote:
Monét X Change [62:35]: "Look at how fake this smile is. Nobody should be smiling that hard."
Laci Mosley [65:57]: "Carlos, I'm gonna skim. Carlos."
Humorous Banter and Closing
Throughout the episode, Laci, Lady Bunny, and Monét engage in light-hearted and humorous exchanges, making sharp observations about scams while keeping the tone entertaining. Their chemistry and wit provide a refreshing take on the often serious topic of fraud.
Notable Quote:
Laci Mosley [67:18]: "I can't be with him."
Lady Bunny [67:25]: "So, Percy. Percy remarried, but divorced again because of his debts."
Conclusion
Fraud Friday with Lady Bunny and Monét X Change offers a compelling mix of historical insights, personal anecdotes, and contemporary fraud analysis, all delivered with the signature humor and charisma of the Scam Goddess and her esteemed guests. This episode not only educates listeners on the intricacies of scams but also underscores the importance of vigilance in an ever-evolving landscape of deceit.
Closing Quote:
Laci Mosley [69:11]: "Stay Scheming. Scam Goddess."
Stay Tuned: Don't miss future episodes of Scam Goddess every Tuesday, with classic episodes re-released every Friday. For ad-free listening and early access to new episodes, subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+.
