Scam Goddess Podcast Summary

Episode: Who Framed Woman-Ochre? w/ Sabrina Wu
Host: Laci Mosley
Guest: Sabrina Wu
Air Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Scam Goddess dives deep into two deliciously twisty scam stories: first, guest Sabrina Wu shares a personal brush with a high-level, international scam known as "pig butchering." Then, Laci and Sabrina break down the wild, true tale of Jerry and Rita Alter, two seemingly average retirees who pulled off the historic “Woman-Ochre” art heist and hid the multi-million dollar painting in plain sight for over 30 years. The show closes with a “Scammer of the Week” segment about an HOA’s outrageous campaign against a homeowner.

The episode balances sharp comedic banter, detailed scam breakdowns, and social commentary—delivered with the fast-paced, irreverent, and unfiltered tone that Scam Goddess fans love.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sabrina Wu’s Real-Life "Pig Butchering" Scam Experience

(Starts approx. 03:12)

• Sabrina’s Relationship with Scams: Admits almost falling for a scam during filming in Toronto—"I almost fell victim to a pig butchering scam." (03:12)
• Explanation of "Pig Butchering": A scam in which criminals gradually gain trust over prolonged communication, making small emotional or financial 'cuts' until they can orchestrate a major theft.
• How the Scam Unfolded:
  • Sabrina was contacted via FaceTime Audio, supposedly from a US government official, but the call was in Mandarin.
  • The scammers had significant personal info on her and pretended to be police officials from Sabrina’s family’s home province in China.
  • They convinced her to join a Zoom call, presented in full "costume" with fake police insignia.
  • She was asked to sign documents in Mandarin, share her passport, and keep the investigation secret under threat that she could be deported or in danger.
  • A requested 24/7 Zoom call plus a request to screen-share her computer raised her suspicions.
  • When she shared the whole saga with a trusted white producer, and saw a Reddit thread warning of these scams, she realized she'd nearly been duped.
  • Noted the added pressure of speaking a second language and being isolated abroad made her more vulnerable.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "I almost fell victim to a pig butchering scam." — Sabrina Wu (03:12)
  • "I literally said to the scammer, 'thank you so much for your patience. My Chinese is so bad.' And they're like, 'of course, of course.'" — Sabrina Wu (06:37)
  • "If something feels weird or sounds weird, say it to somebody else. Or, like, write it down." — Laci Mosley (19:20)
• Takeaway: These kinds of scams prey on language barriers, isolation, and legitimate fears, specifically targeting Chinese nationals and immigrants.

2. Historic Hoodwinks: The "Woman-Ochre" Art Heist

(Segment begins approx. 23:49)

• Who Were the Perpetrators?
  • Jerry and Rita Alter: a retired teacher couple with a "loud" sense of style and a pink stucco ranch in New Mexico.
  • Described as living loud, eccentric lives—traveling to 140 countries, having a yard full of busts and obelisks, and a home full of odd art.
  • "They just loved art. So they closed the case in 1987. But it stayed on the FBI's top 10 crime list." — Laci Mosley (43:35)
• The Crime:
  • In 1985, the Alters (in disguise with heavy coats and a fake mustache—despite Tucson's desert climate) calmly cut out de Kooning's “Woman-Ochre” from its frame at the University of Arizona Museum of Art.
  • The painting (now valued at $160 million) quietly hung behind their bedroom door for over 30 years—never moved or sold.
  • The weirdness of keeping it hidden (not enjoying it, profit-motivated, or sharing with the world) points to psychological or petty motivations.
• Discovery:
  • After their deaths in their 80s (2012 & 2017), an antique dealer bought the couple’s house contents for $2,000 and found the painting, after which it was identified by a local artist.
• Theorizing About Motives:
  • Sabrina suspects they were "art world haters"—jealous, bitter, and kinky but not professional criminals. The lack of attempts to profit suggested resentment, not greed.
  • "It feels like they're putting [the art] on their wall to be like, y'all can't ever see this again." — Sabrina Wu (54:18)
• Comedic Highlights:
  • Ongoing jokes about their wardrobe: "That chain is screaming at me." — Laci Mosley (26:16)
  • The couple's likely spicy marriage: "They were doing it for the crazy sex...the thrill of each other's body." — Sabrina Wu (48:11)
  • Tangential riffing on gallery snobbery, van life, and the couple's apparent taste for African artifacts.

3. Social Commentary & Sidebar Conversations

• Ethnic Targeting: Both Sabrina and Laci discuss how certain scams specifically target ethnic communities—such as Mandarin-speaking immigrants. Sabrina’s story includes a moment where her grandmother (in China) roasts her for falling for it:
  • "'Of course Chinese people can be evil!'" — Sabrina Wu, quoting her grandmother (21:34)
• Art as a Scam: The hosts jokingly unpack how the art world itself operates on sometimes arbitrary value and gatekeeping, aligning with Jerry’s personal bitterness.
• HOAs as a Scam:
  • The "Scammer of the Week" spotlights Irina Green, a Black homeowner in Florida arrested by her HOA for having a less-than-lush lawn—a case the hosts say smacks of racism and larger social manipulation.
  • "The HOA is a scam." — Laci Mosley (58:03)
  • They express support for Irina and make broader points about injustice, race, and property ownership in America.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pig Butchering Scams:
  • "The scammer guffawed...He was like, have I asked you for any personal information?...If I was trying to steal money, I'd probably ask you for information, right? — Sabrina Wu (11:10)
• On Jerry and Rita’s Motives:
  • "I think they're just art world haters...so bitter and kinky as hell." — Sabrina Wu (53:41)
  • "An art hater, but an amazing lover." — Sabrina Wu (56:05)
• On the Absurdity of the HOA Case:
  • "Now I have a record because of some grass? Oh, no, your ass is grass, too." — Laci Mosley (61:05)
• Sabrina’s Grandmother:
  • "'You fell for that?!'" — Sabrina Wu, quoting her grandma’s response to the scam (21:17)
• On Smuggling and Thrill-Seeking:
  • "How do you think you stay married this long? You have to commit crime together." — Laci Mosley (48:22)

Important Timestamps

• 03:12 – Sabrina describes falling for a "pig butchering" scam
• 07:49 – Explains how scammers use personal data leaks to find victims
• 16:47 – The scammer requests 24/7 Zoom and screen-sharing access
• 19:20 – Laci’s advice: "Say it to someone else if something feels weird"
• 23:49 – Historic Hoodwinks: Intro to the Woman-Ochre/Art Heist story
• 26:10–28:00 – Visual jokes and character studies of Jerry and Rita
• 38:05 – De Kooning painting is cut from frame and stolen from museum
• 43:35 – FBI closes the case; painting's value and location discussed
• 54:18 – Sabrina’s theory: stealing as an act of resentment
• 57:11 – Scammer of the Week: HOA vs. Irina Green
• 63:21 – Hosts speculate neighbor sabotage against Irina, express outrage

Episode Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, irreverent, and honest: Both host and guest share deeply personal and sometimes embarrassing stories without shame, offset by sharp, joyful digressions.
• Comedic but insightful: Frequent asides, pop culture references, gentle teasing, and deep-dive theorizing.
• Community- and justice-minded: Earnest support for scam victims; critical of institutions that enable scams or commit their own (e.g., HOAs).
• Lively interaction: Laci and Sabrina riff off each other, creating a playful but thorough exploration of each story.

Summary by Segments

Sabrina’s Scam Story (03:12–21:34)

• Pig butchering scam breakdown, personal vulnerabilities, how even the informed fall for complex frauds.

Historic Hoodwinks: The Alters’ Art Heist (23:49–56:18)

• The wild story of two retired teachers turned secret art thieves; theories about motives; discussion of art world elitism; celebration of their "loud" and "kinky" personalities.

Scammer of the Week (57:11–65:44)

• A Florida woman jailed for her lawn, illustrating institutional racism and the pitfalls of modern homeowner associations.

Where To Follow the Guest

• Sabrina Wu
  • Instagram & Socials: @aSabrinaWu
  • Projects: "Murderbot" (Apple TV), "Dying for Sex" (FX), "Joyride" (streaming)

Final Thoughts

The episode is a masterclass in blending personal storytelling, true con art, and cultural critique—ripe with off-the-cuff humor and compassion for scam victims. Laci and Sabrina bring heart and hilarity to every scam, making it engaging and informative for all listeners—even those new to the “scamverse.”

Stay schemin’!