December 20, 2021
EP. 117 — The Santa Claus Con w/ Larry Owens
What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, we have Larry Owens discussing John Duval Gluck, the conman who popularized writing letters to Santa Claus in the beginning of the 20th century. Plus, investors in an NFT project titled “Evolved Apes” learn that the world of NFTs isn’t immune to scams. Stay Schemin’!
Research By Kaelyn Brandt
SOURCES:
https://nypost.com/2015/09/20/meet-the-con-artist-who-popularized-writing-to-santa-claus/
https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/the-con-man-who-saved-christmas/
Recent Episodes
See AllMay 1, 2025
EP. 292.5 — The HiStudio Hype House with Chris Gethard
Guest Chris Gethard
In this week’s Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Chris Gethard (The Special Without Brett Davis, Don’t Think Twice) to discuss how a CEO created a Hype House style podcasting network that led to lawsuits, trash and fallout.
April 28, 2025
EP. 292 — Balancing on Booboo Bogus Bracelets w/ Jon Gabrus
Guest Jon Gabrus
Nobody was tripping in 2010, and maybe that was because all the cool people in the zeitgeist were wearing bracelets that claimed to harness the power of holograms to make you stronger, faster, more flexible, and possibly sexier, too.
April 24, 2025
EP. 291.5 — Fraud Friday: The Real Hustlers behind Hustlers w/ Mo Heart
Guest Monique Heart
In this week’s Fraud Friday, Laci is joined by Mo Heart (RuPaul’s Drag Race) to help us break down the real-life story that inspired the 2019 hit film Hustlers starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu.