Podcast Summary: Scam Goddess - "Squid Games & Losing Coins w/ Flawless Kevin"
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Host: Laci Mosley (Scam Goddess)
Guest: Flawless Kevin
Introduction to the Episode
In this engaging episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley welcomes Flawless Kevin, a notable YouTube content creator known for his inspirational journey and advocacy within the LGBTQ community. The episode delves deep into the intertwining narratives of the popular Netflix series Squid Game and real-life cryptocurrency scams inspired by the show's immense popularity.
Flawless Kevin's Journey and Influence
Debunking Myths of Inspiration (03:02 - 03:17)
Laci introduces Flawless Kevin, highlighting his long-standing presence on YouTube since 2010. She brings up the speculation that Kevin's appearance as Player 187 in Squid Game: The Challenge may have influenced the creation of Squid Game Season Two.
- Laci Mosley (03:13): "I would like to think that I was the inspiration."
- Flawless Kevin (03:33): "I've been doing YouTube since 2010."
Origins of Flawless Kevin's Content (03:47 - 05:05)
Flawless Kevin shares his personal story of overcoming high school bullying by creating storytelling content that inspired others to embrace their true selves. This led him to establish his YouTube channel, "Flawless Kevin," which has become a beacon for LGBTQ youth seeking affirmation and support.
- Flawless Kevin (04:23): "Instead of dwelling in sadness, I decided to make a storytime video in hopes of inspiring people."
Exploring Scams in Relationships and Beyond
Romance Fraud Experiences (05:55 - 06:38)
The conversation shifts to the vulnerabilities in romantic relationships, highlighting how individuals like Flawless Kevin can fall prey to scams disguised as genuine romantic interests.
- Flawless Kevin (05:55): "I feel like I could maybe be scammed in that sense."
- Laci Mosley (06:23): "Every man is a scam, especially the ones named Matt."
Personal Anecdotes of Being Scammed (07:06 - 10:47)
Laci recounts her experience of being deceived by a man falsely claiming to be Puerto Rican and involved in insider trading. Both hosts humorously navigate through their shared frustrations with deceptive individuals, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in personal interactions.
- Laci Mosley (07:31): "He lied about being Puerto Rican... when it got to the swiping point, he started looking around like, oh, I don't have a dining card."
- Flawless Kevin (10:22): "I was starving like Marvin."
Cryptocurrency Scams Inspired by Squid Game
Introduction to SquidCoin Scam (16:35 - 26:30)
Laci introduces the main topic of the episode: SquidCoin, a cryptocurrency exploit inspired by Squid Game. She explains how the creators leveraged the show's popularity to defraud investors, promising a "play-to-earn" platform tied to the game's concept.
- Laci Mosley (16:35): "In 2021, the creators of the cryptocurrency SquidCoin capitalized on the viral popularity of Squid Game and successfully defrauded investors out of millions."
Mechanics of the Scam (26:30 - 43:29)
The hosts dissect the fraudulent strategies employed by SquidCoin's creators, including misleading website content filled with errors, promises of high returns, and the eventual "rug pull" where scammers abscond with investors' funds. They emphasize the volatility and lack of intrinsic value in cryptocurrencies, making them prime targets for such scams.
- Flawless Kevin (26:33): "We could create a bitcoin right now if we wanted to."
- Laci Mosley (43:18): "The website hosted at Squid Game Cash has disappeared, along with every other social media presence."
Impact and Aftermath (43:29 - 54:25)
Laci details the catastrophic impact on investors when SquidCoin's value plummeted from a peak of $2,861 to zero within a week. The hosts discuss the broader implications for the cryptocurrency market and the challenges in tracing and prosecuting such scams due to the anonymity provided by platforms like Telegram.
- Laci Mosley (49:00): "Squid Coin peaked at a price of $2861 before plummeting to zero a week after it launched."
- Flawless Kevin (54:00): "We'll never know who these scammers were."
Cultural Reflections and Societal Impacts
Reality TV and Its Dark Side (29:07 - 33:28)
The discussion transitions to the darker aspects of reality TV, paralleling them with real-life scams. The hosts critique how reality shows manipulate participants' emotions and situations to create drama, often leaving contestants vulnerable to exploitation.
- Flawless Kevin (29:07): "It was still pretty treacherous."
- Laci Mosley (32:21): "They plot these poor young women with Doritos and tequila and make them fight."
Fandom and Financial Vulnerabilities (39:07 - 44:29)
Laci and Flawless Kevin explore how intense fandoms can lead to financial exploitation. They cite examples of fans investing heavily in fan-inspired cryptocurrencies or wasting money on in-app purchases, often without realizing the potential for scams.
- Laci Mosley (39:07): "People want to be involved in Squid Game in some way possible."
- Flawless Kevin (44:27): "There's a game where you just garden and do these little puzzles and I'll be running out of garden coins."
Scammer of the Week: Wire Fraud Priest
Profile of Terrence Owens Elliot (55:36 - 59:00)
In the "Scammer of the Week" segment, Laci highlights Terrence Owens Elliot, a former priest and city council candidate from California, who was arrested for defrauding friends and a nonprofit organization of over $230,000. Elliot misrepresented himself as an affiliate of government entities to gain trust and manipulate victims into transferring funds under false pretenses.
- Laci Mosley (56:07): "He scammed over $230,000 by misrepresenting himself as an affiliate of the San Bernardino city government and police department."
- Flawless Kevin (59:00): "He paid the church rent with the trust. Like, aren't you supposed to pay tithes?"
Legal Consequences and Community Impact (60:37 - 61:50)
The episode concludes with a discussion on the legal repercussions Elliot faces, including up to 20 years in prison per count. The hosts express their disdain for systemic issues that allow such frauds to persist and the challenges in holding perpetrators accountable.
- Laci Mosley (60:36): "There's a separate individual on board who does all of the investigation."
- Flawless Kevin (61:16): "It's a conflict of interest."
Closing Remarks and Future Directions
Cult Formation and Satire (62:15 - 63:49)
Laci humorously introduces the idea of forming a "spiritual scam guild," blending satire with their ongoing discussion about scams. The hosts reflect on the cyclical nature of scams and the importance of awareness and education in combating fraud.
- Laci Mosley (62:15): "We could be mayor and cult leaders."
- Flawless Kevin (63:07): "This is why we're gonna be a good duo."
Promotions and Final Thoughts (63:49 - End)
The episode wraps up with standard promotional content for the podcast's social media channels, the upcoming TV show on Hulu and Freeform, and Laci's book availability. The hosts sign off with their signature catchphrase, encouraging listeners to "stay scheming."
Key Takeaways and Insights
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Popularity of Media Influences Scams: The immense popularity of Squid Game was exploited by scammers to create cryptocurrency frauds like SquidCoin, highlighting the intersection of media influence and financial scams.
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Vulnerabilities in Personal Relationships: Both hosts shared personal anecdotes demonstrating how scammers can exploit emotional and romantic vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for awareness in personal interactions.
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Challenges in Combating Crypto Scams: The anonymity and decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies make it difficult to trace and prosecute scammers, necessitating stricter regulations and user education.
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Impact of Reality TV on Vulnerable Individuals: Reality television can create environments where participants are manipulated and exploited, paralleling real-life scams and manipulative practices.
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Importance of Community and Support: Flawless Kevin's journey underscores the significance of supportive communities in overcoming personal challenges and resisting fraudulent influences.
Notable Quotes
- Laci Mosley (03:13): "I would like to think that I was the inspiration."
- Flawless Kevin (05:55): "I feel like I could maybe be scammed in that sense."
- Laci Mosley (16:35): "In 2021, the creators of the cryptocurrency SquidCoin capitalized on the viral popularity of Squid Game and successfully defrauded investors out of millions."
- Flawless Kevin (26:33): "We could create a bitcoin right now if we wanted to."
- Laci Mosley (43:18): "The website hosted at Squid Game Cash has disappeared, along with every other social media presence."
- Laci Mosley (56:07): "He scammed over $230,000 by misrepresenting himself as an affiliate of the San Bernardino city government and police department."
- Laci Mosley (60:36): "There's a separate individual on board who does all of the investigation."
- Laci Mosley (62:15): "We could be mayor and cult leaders."
Conclusion
This episode of Scam Goddess skillfully blends humor with critical discussions on fraud, personal vulnerabilities, and the complexities of modern scams influenced by popular media. Through the candid conversation between Laci Mosley and Flawless Kevin, listeners gain valuable insights into recognizing and avoiding various types of scams in both personal and financial realms.
Follow & Listen:
- Podcast Website: ScamGoddessPod
- Instagram: @ScamGoddessPod
- Twitter: @ScamGoddessPod
- YouTube: Flawless Kevin
- Listen on Hulu: Scam Goddess on Hulu
Stay scheming!
