Scam Goddess Podcast Summary Episode: "The Doula Demon Scam w/ Lex P" | Release Date: March 4, 2025

Introduction and Guest Background

In this episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley welcomes Lex P, a fellow Texan and co-host of the popular video podcast Poor Minds. Lex P, also known for her YouTube show Love Lex P, brings her unique perspective as a pop culture enthusiast and social media influencer. The hosts engage in a lighthearted banter about their Texan roots and Lex's journey from Dallas to Atlanta, setting the stage for a deep dive into the episode's main topic.

[02:38] Laci Mosley: "Reading the girlies, I have to say. So I discovered your show. I found you on Hulu."

[03:25] Lex P: "It's a wild ride going to all those different cities, especially starting in a low key sundown town."

Unveiling the Doula Demon Scam

The core of the episode centers around a disturbing fraud case involving a woman named Caitlin Braun. Caitlin, a 26-year-old Canadian woman, orchestrated a scam where she deceived over 50 doulas—birth support professionals—into assisting her through fake pregnancies and deliveries. This intricate fraud not only wasted the doulas' time but also inflicted significant emotional trauma.

[21:18] Laci Mosley: "This is why I have to oversee a project, baby."

[21:19] Lex P: "A 26-year-old Canadian woman named Caitlin Braun tricked more than 50 doulas..."

Modus Operandi of Caitlin Braun

Caitlin Braun employed both in-person and virtual tactics to perpetuate her scam. Initially, she would convince doulas to visit her home under the guise of being in labor. She meticulously staged environments with baby essentials like car seats and baby clothes to appear genuine. During these visits, she would exhibit signs of labor, such as screaming and sobbing, to elicit emotional support from the doulas.

[28:24] Lex P: "Caitlyn was like, I need you to help me through this traumatic ordeal."

[31:00] Laci Mosley: "Your water breaks, the baby coming."

Impact on Victimized Doulas

The scam had a profound impact on the doulas involved. Many spent days attending to Caitlin, providing support and even staying overnight. Some doulas reported emotional distress, leading one to get a tattoo commemorating the traumatic experience. The fraudulent claims drained not only financial resources but also the professional and emotional energy of the doulas.

[50:51] Lex P: "She's clearly been traumatizing the doulas, so she has to go back to the drawing board."

[54:04] Laci Mosley: "She just had a breast pump and a car seat. Definitely pregnant."

Discussion on Mental Health and Motivation

Laci and Lex delve into the psychological aspects of Caitlin's actions, highlighting that her behavior might stem from underlying mental health issues. Caitlin reportedly suffered from bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, and factitious disorder—a condition where individuals fabricate or induce symptoms of illness. However, the hosts emphasize that while mental health struggles are serious, Caitlin's deliberate deceit goes beyond typical manifestations of these conditions.

[60:07] Lex P: "Caitlin shared that she'd been previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder and anxiety."

[61:24] Laci Mosley: "I'm weak."

[61:52] Lex P: "According to her medical records, she went to the hospital more than 170 times, most likely based on lies."

Legal and Social Reactions

Despite multiple reports and evidence presented by the affected doulas, law enforcement responses were initially inadequate. Laci and Lex express frustration over the lack of decisive action, suggesting systemic negligence, especially concerning the scrutiny of Black individuals. Ultimately, Caitlin was arrested and faced numerous charges, including fraud, criminal harassment, and sexual assault. She pleaded guilty to several counts and was sentenced to house arrest and probation, a decision the hosts argue was insufficient given the severity and repetitiveness of her actions.

[63:07] Lex P: "After almost a year in custody, she was ordered to serve two years under house arrest."

[63:32] Laci Mosley: "That's where the damage was done. Exactly."

Community Response and Prevention

The episode underscores the importance of community vigilance and the role of social media in exposing fraud. The doulas formed support groups on platforms like Facebook and TikTok to warn others about Caitlin's deceitful practices. Laci and Lex advocate for proactive measures within professional communities to verify client authenticity and protect against similar scams.

[55:49] Laci Mosley: "For all the doulas listening from Taiwan, Texas, drop that picture in yalls chat and save the doulas."

[67:04] Lex P: "This is one of those, like, do not serve. Or like, you gotta have it hanging up in the restaurant."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Concluding the episode, Laci and Lex express their disdain for Caitlin Braun's manipulative actions and the broader implications for the doula community. They call for stricter regulations and better support systems to prevent such fraudulent activities in the future. The hosts also humorously suggest community-based actions to hold scammers accountable, blending their comedic style with serious commentary.

[68:39] Lex P: "She was still out there roping people in over and over and over again."

[69:04] Lex P: "I hate this woman. I haven't hated a scammer this much in a while."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [28:37] Lex P: "It's a vacant uterus. Very extreme. Not only is it vacant, but there's an IUD in there."

• [42:46] Laci Mosley: "I knew it."

• [58:32] Laci Mosley: "She needs to be tarred and feathered."

• [62:07] Laci Mosley: "She was horny. Lock her up."

Key Takeaways

1. Sophistication of Scams: Caitlin Braun's ability to convincingly fake pregnancies highlights the lengths to which scammers will go to exploit professionals.
2. Emotional and Financial Toll: The scam not only affected doulas financially but also caused significant emotional distress, undermining trust within the community.
3. Need for Vigilance: Professional communities must implement stricter verification processes to protect against such deceptive practices.
4. Mental Health Considerations: While Caitlin's actions may be influenced by mental health issues, deliberate fraudulence requires accountability to prevent further victimization.
5. Community Empowerment: Leveraging social media and support groups can be effective in identifying and preventing scams, fostering a safer professional environment.

Conclusion

In this gripping episode, Scam Goddess sheds light on a particularly egregious fraud case that exploited the compassion and professionalism of doulas. Through engaging dialogue and insightful analysis, Laci Mosley and Lex P not only揭示了欺诈背后的复杂性，而且还提出了保护专业人士免受类似骗局侵害的策略。这个故事提醒我们，即使在最值得信赖的职业关系中，也存在欺诈的危险，强调了维持警觉和社区支持的重要性。