Podcast Summary: "The Brad Pitt Love Scammers" with Jesse Woo

Podcast: Scam Goddess
Host: Lacey Mosley
Guest: Jesse Woo
Release Date: February 25, 2025

1. Introduction

In this engaging episode of Scam Goddess, host Lacey Mosley welcomes Jesse Woo, an accomplished actress, musician, content creator, and comedian, to discuss the pervasive issue of romance scams. The episode delves into how scammers impersonate high-profile celebrities like Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves to deceive and defraud unsuspecting individuals.

2. Guest Introduction and Background

Lacey begins by introducing Jesse Woo, highlighting her diverse career and her own podcast, "Just a Couple Things with Jesse Woo," which blends comedy with cultural commentary.

Notable Quote:

• Lacey Mosley [01:19]: "My guest is an actress, musician, content creator, comedian, and so much more... I couldn't be more thrilled to welcome this queen, Jesse Woo, to the congregation today."

Jesse Woo [02:18]: "It's an honor to be here... We’re 20 episodes in, and I look forward to being where you are..."

3. Personal Experiences with Scams

Jesse shares her personal encounter with a romance scam in 2022, involving a man she met who claimed to be a former preacher turned actor named "Brad Putt."

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Woo [05:02]: "I was almost romance scammed back in 2022."
• Lacey Mosley [07:13]: "If you live downtown LA, when are you gonna stop doing crime?"

She recounts the red flags she noticed, such as his luxurious lifestyle without corresponding financial stability, like owning multiple high-end cars but lacking basic necessities like food in his fridge.

4. The 'Brad Putt' Scam Unveiled

Jesse delves deeper into the tactics used by "Brad Putt" to manipulate her trust and extract money. She explains how he fabricated stories about needing funds for personal ventures and emergency situations, making it difficult to discern truth from deception.

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Woo [08:33]: "Is this man trying to ask me for $10,000?"
• Lacey Mosley [12:26]: "Call me Carmen Sandie Wu. We called the apartment building... he owed over $32,000 on rent."

Jesse describes confronting his inconsistencies, such as his inability to afford basic needs despite displaying wealth, which ultimately exposed his fraudulent intentions.

5. The Role of AI in Modern Scams

The discussion shifts to the evolving landscape of scamming techniques, particularly the use of artificial intelligence to create convincing fake profiles and images of celebrities.

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Woo [28:19]: "Brad Putt used fake social media and WhatsApp accounts plus artificial intelligence images to send what appeared to be selfies and other messages."

Lacey adds that scammers are becoming more sophisticated, making it increasingly challenging for victims to verify the authenticity of the individuals they are interacting with online.

6. Public Perception and Victim Stigma

Lacey and Jesse address the societal tendency to blame victims for falling prey to scams, emphasizing the emotional and psychological manipulation involved.

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Woo [43:28]: "The problem with romance scams is people really think that victims are deserving."
• Lacey Mosley [44:30]: "People are so miserable... They would never walk up to Ann and be like, 'You a dummy.'"

They advocate for a more understanding and supportive approach towards victims rather than judgment and ridicule.

7. Keanu Reeves-Related Scams: "Keanu Thieves"

The conversation broadens to include similar scams involving impersonations of Keanu Reeves, referred to as "Keanu Thieves."

Notable Quotes:

• Lacey Mosley [53:36]: "Katherine Goodson, a 67-year-old widow from San Diego, received a text from someone claiming to be Keanu."
• Jesse Woo [54:10]: "Stop sending men money. We don’t buy them sneakers. We don’t do."

Jesse recounts Katherine's experience, where she lost $60,000 to scammers posing as Keanu Reeves, highlighting the severe personal and financial repercussions of such deceit.

8. Solutions and Preventative Measures

Lacey and Jesse brainstorm potential solutions to mitigate the rise of these sophisticated scams, including enhancing media literacy and implementing stricter verification processes on social media platforms.

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Woo [60:10]: "We got to put some tariffs on it."
• Lacey Mosley [60:27]: "Freeze the ladies' accounts, period."

They humorously suggest measures like taxing money transfers to men and increasing scrutiny on unsolicited online communications to protect potential victims.

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with a strong call to action for listeners to remain vigilant and refrain from sending money to unsolicited male accounts online. Lacey and Jesse emphasize the importance of recognizing red flags and seeking verification before engaging in financial transactions.

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Woo [59:47]: "Ladies, stop giving men money."
• Lacey Mosley [60:12]: "Stop sending men money."

They reiterate the necessity of awareness and proactive measures in combating the prevalence of romance scams in the digital age.

10. Closing Banter

In the final moments, Lacey and Jesse share light-hearted banter about managing time and podcasting, maintaining the comedic and relatable tone that Scam Goddess is known for.

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Woo [61:40]: "We’re gonna keep them in prayer."
• Lacey Mosley [63:38]: "Hello, Coochie. Make the world go round. How you doing?"

Key Insights:

• Sophistication of Scams: The use of AI and fake social media profiles has made impersonation scams more convincing and harder to detect.

• Psychological Manipulation: Scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities, such as those experienced during a divorce, to gain trust and extract money.

• Public Stigma: Victims often face judgment and blame, which can deter them from seeking help or sharing their experiences.

• Preventative Measures: Enhancing media literacy, implementing stricter online verification processes, and fostering a more supportive environment for victims are crucial in combating these scams.

Concluding Thoughts:

This episode of Scam Goddess not only exposes the intricate methods employed by modern scammers but also underscores the importance of awareness and empathy towards victims. By sharing personal stories and expert insights, Lacey and Jesse aim to empower listeners to recognize and avoid falling prey to such deceitful schemes.

Stay tuned for more insightful episodes every Tuesday on Scam Goddess, where comedy meets the serious world of fraud and scams.