Scam Goddess Episode Summary: "Serving Up Ping Pong Scams w/ Lamorne Morris and Kyle Shevrin"

Release Date: April 15, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley welcomes returning member Kyle Shevrin and Emmy-winning actor and comedian Lamorne Morris. The trio dives deep into the world of fraud, sharing insights, personal anecdotes, and unraveling historical scams with their signature comedic flair.

Guest Introduction and Initial Banter (00:00 - 03:57)

Laci Mosley kicks off the episode by humorously discussing everyday essentials and product endorsements before introducing her guests. She highlights the dynamic between Lamorne and Kyle, emphasizing their humorous rapport and mutual skepticism towards another podcast, "We're Here to Help".

• Laci Mosley (00:00): "Scam Goddess is like true crime, but without all the death—aka True Con."

The Beef with "We're Here to Help" (03:57 - 17:50)

The conversation shifts to the ongoing feud between Scam Goddess and the podcast "We're Here to Help" hosted by Jake Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. Lamorne and Kyle express their disdain, questioning the authenticity and intentions of the rival podcast.

• Lamorne Morris (03:09): "See, they don't even know your name, Gareth."
• Kyle Shevrin (07:00): "We don’t know how they add claps. Nobody can see this, guys."

The guests delve into specifics, challenging claims made by "We're Here to Help" regarding audience engagement and transparency.

• Kyle Shevrin (04:51): "You did a poll. Then when Jake came out, I said, we're gonna play a little game in honor of your show."

Main Feature: The Michael Hyatt Ping Pong Scam (17:50 - 73:01)

The core of the episode revolves around the intricate scam executed by Michael Hyatt, a fictional Jamaican Olympic table tennis player. Laci, Lamorne, and Kyle dissect Hyatt's elaborate fraud, which entailed multiple layers of deception, financial manipulation, and romantic exploitation.

Background and Initial Scam (17:50 - 32:03)

The trio outlines Michael Hyatt's rise as an Olympic athlete and his transition into fraudulent activities. They recount how Hyatt used his sports credentials to gain trust and manipulate his victims.

• Laci Mosley (27:29): "So let me just scam. Let me just scam, all right? Yeah, because I'm like, scammed."
• Kyle Shevrin (32:03): "He was scamming women using ping pong."

Evolution to Romance Fraud (32:03 - 57:00)

As Hyatt's computer business failed, he pivoted to romance fraud, targeting single mothers by creating emotional connections and manipulating them into financial investments under the guise of business ventures like "Pong Nation."

• Laci Mosley (41:53): "So remember, he started Ejam IT Solutions, and people paid. At least five schools in Jamaica ordered 150 computers from him."
• Kyle Shevrin (47:17): "So he was rich and he would get them groceries. [...] he was hustling people for hundreds."

Falls and Final Scam (57:00 - 73:01)

Hyatt's schemes began to unravel as victims like Jody Cummings discovered discrepancies in his claims, leading to legal repercussions and his eventual flight to Guam and then the Philippines. The guests highlight the complexities and emotional toll of such scams.

• Laci Mosley (62:30): "In 2015, Michael was barred permanently from USA Table Tennis because of sexual misconduct."
• Lamorne Morris (73:01): "He put so much energy into the scam. Like, actually put that energy into Pong Nation, and it probably would have been successful."

Scammer of the Week: Bear Attack Insurance Fraud (73:01 - 84:34)

Laci introduces the Scammer of the Week, detailing a fraudulent insurance claim involving staged bear attacks on luxury vehicles. The scam involved filing false claims for damages supposedly caused by bears, with the perpetrators using realistic bear costumes and orchestrated setups to deceive insurance companies.

• Laci Mosley (77:39): "He did this by dressing up in a bear costume and scampering into cars to cause minor damage."
• Kyle Shevrin (79:59): "They thought the bear was like, I."

Lamorne and Kyle analyze the method, exposing the absurdity and logistical implausibility of such schemes while maintaining their comedic banter.

• Lamorne Morris (80:00): "That’s a real bear. How did the bear know their insurance?"
• Laci Mosley (81:37): "The bear didn’t pull off the break-in multiple times."

Conclusion and Final Remarks (84:34 - End)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts engage in playful exchanges, reinforcing the importance of awareness against such scams. They encourage listeners to stay vigilant and share their own scam experiences, fostering a community of informed individuals.

• Laci Mosley (85:25): "And as always, y'all, if you want to stitch on your friends and family, scamgottispodmail.com we may listen to them on the show."

Notable Quotes Summary

• Laci Mosley (00:00): "Scam Goddess is like true crime, but without all the death—aka True Con."
• Kyle Shevrin (07:00): "We’re Here to Help is a scam."
• Laci Mosley (27:29): "Have you ever been scammed?"
• Lamorne Morris (32:03): "He was scamming women using ping pong."
• Laci Mosley (57:00): "Have you ever scammed or been scammed?"
• Kyle Shevrin (84:34): "He put so much energy into the scam. Like, actually put that energy into Pong Nation, and it probably would have been successful."

Key Takeaways

• Awareness is Crucial: Understanding the methods scammers use can help individuals protect themselves from falling victim.
• Emotional Manipulation: Scammers often exploit personal relationships and trust to facilitate their fraud.
• Vigilance Against Overly Complex Scams: Highly elaborate schemes, while seemingly impressive, often lack feasibility and can be detected with careful scrutiny.

Conclusion

"Serving Up Ping Pong Scams" offers a blend of humor and insightful analysis into the mechanics of fraud. Through the stories of Michael Hyatt and the bear attack insurance scam, Scam Goddess equips listeners with knowledge to recognize and avoid similar deceptive practices. The episode underscores the importance of skepticism and due diligence in an increasingly complex world of scams.

Stay Scheming! For more episodes, visit Scam Goddess on Earwolf and join the "Con-gregation" to experience the funny side of fraud.