What’s poppin’ con-gregation?  This week, Solomon Georgio joins us to discuss Sarma Melngailis, a business woman who went from “Queen of Vegan Cuisine” to the “Vegan Bernie Madoff.” Plus, pet scams have become such a problem in Michigan that the Michigan Attorney General released a video warning residents. Stay Schemin’!

Research by Kaelyn Brandt.

Sources:
https://people.com/food/bad-vegan-fame-fraud-fugitives-true-story/

https://people.com/crime/fugitive-former-vegan-restaurant-owner-caught-after-ordering-dominos-pizza/

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2016/11/how-sarma-melngailis-became-a-runaway-fugitive

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/03/sarma-melngailis-netflixs-bad-vegan-stares-down-her-past-and-future

Netflix’s documentary, Bad Vegan

https://www.intheknow.com/post/dog-breeder-scam/

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Traci Thomas joins us to discuss Jamison Bachman, a man who posed as a charming tenant only to victimize his roommates, determined to take their homes from under them. Plus, an elderly woman pleads guilty to helping a Nigerian scammer she fell in love with. Stay Schemin’!

CW: Mentions of physical assault and suicide are in this episode.

Time Stamps : @ 26:44 CW: Physical Assault & Suicide Warning

                         @ 52:30 CW: Murder

                         @ 52:52 CW: Suicide

Research by Kaelyn Brandt. 

Sources:

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/jamison-bachman-worst-roommate-ever.html

https://thenetline.com/jamison-bachman-now/

https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/woman-sentenced-after-helping-scam-artist/article_1b2ae9e0-9b02-11ec-bb64-5ff45577d3b2.html

https://ipropertymanagement.com/laws/california-squatters-rights#:~:text=A%20squatter%20can%20claim%20rights,ownership%20of%20the%20property%20legally

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Jabari Davis joins us to discuss Heather Morgan, a rapping former-CEO who was a part of the largest asset seizure in history, involving over $4 billion in bitcoin. Plus, a Greek Orthodox priest and hedge fund manager participates in a “short and distort” scheme. Stay Schemin’!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/hedge-fund-priest-thou-shalt-make-money-1445918531?mod=mktw

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/jury-sec-case-finds-priest-shorting-biotechs-stock-made-false-statements-2021-11-05/

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/02/the-many-shifting-sides-of-cryptos-most-notorious-couple.html

https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2016/08/03/the-bitfinex-bitcoin-hack-what-we-know-and-dont-know/

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/02/doj-seizes-usd3-6-billion-in-stolen-bitcoin-arrests-couple.html

https://medium.datadriveninvestor.com/bitcoin-billionaire-rapper-busted-after-fbi-seized-her-3-9-billion-fortune-183ad0e8cb0

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/13/nyregion/bitcoin-bitfinex-hack-heather-morgan-ilya-lichtenstein.html

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Brittani Warrick joins us to discuss how a 19th century Scottish man, convinced people to establish the new country of Poyais, however it didn’t actually exist. Plus, one antique store goes viral after a tik toker exposes the real cost of antique swans. Stay Schemin’!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.distractify.com/p/tiktok-goodwill-thrift-shop

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Gregor-MacGregor-Prince-Of-Poyais/

https://allthatsinteresting.com/gregor-macgregor

https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-untold-truth-about-poyais-a-dead-land-sold-as-a-mystical-paradise-bf6719715229

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, comedian Frankie Quiñones joins us to discuss how 18 barrels of bourbon went missing from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, producers of the famed Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. Plus, scammers capitalize off of fake high end whiskey being sold in local liquor stores across the nation. Stay Schemin’!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/06/dining/drinks/fake-bourbon.html

https://craigcalcaterra.com/blog/the-pappy-van-winkle-heist-that-wasnt2710188/

https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/inside-the-great-pappy-van-winkle-heist

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-06-29/the-pappy-van-winkle-bandit-speaks-and-says-he-didn-t-do-it

https://www.grunge.com/450262/the-truth-about-the-pappygate-bourbon-heist/

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Corinne Fisher & Krystyna Hutchinson join us to get an update on some of our favorite scammers: Anna Delvey, Elizabeth Holmes & The Tinder Swindler. Plus, a Chinese student spends 21 days living a luxurious life for free as part of an art project for her school. Stay Schemin’!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.thecut.com/2018/05/how-anna-delvey-tricked-new-york.html

https://www.insider.com/anna-delvey-writes-about-inventing-anna-and-life-in-jail-2022-2

https://www.insider.com/netflix-paid-anna-delvey-sorokin-tv-series-victim-fund-2021-1

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jan/13/elizabeth-holmes-sentence-september-fraud

https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/03/tech/elizabeth-holmes-verdict/index.html

https://www.businessinsider.com/theranos-founder-ceo-elizabeth-holmes-life-story-bio-2018-4#it-was-during-high-school-that-holmes-developed-her-work-ethic-often-staying-up-late-to-study-she-quickly-became-a-straight-a-student-and-even-started-her-own-business-she-sold-c-compilers-a-type-of-software-that-translates-computer-code-to-chinese-schools-5

https://www.etonline.com/tinder-swindler-simon-leviev-joins-cameo-signs-with-manager-inside-his-hollywood-plans-179407

https://www.insideedition.com/exclusive-alleged-tinder-swindler-simon-leviev-speaks-on-money-romance-and-allegations-in-1st-sit

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a38819028/tinder-swindler-netflix-true-story-simon-leviev/

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a38955743/tinder-swindler-simon-leviev-true-story-where-is-he-now/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/17531724/simon-levievs-bodyguard-peter/

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/04/verdict-reached-in-michael-avenatti-fraud-trial-over-stormy-daniels-book-money.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10289325/Student-stays-Beijing-three-weeks-without-spending-penny-disguising-socialite.html

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Bridger Winegar joins us to discuss Sergei Mavrodi, the man behind one of the world’s largest Ponzi schemes. Plus, a 73-year old Long Island woman helps the NYPD catch a scammer. Stay Schemin!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.nbc15.com/2022/01/22/watch-grandmother-helps-catch-scammers-fun/

https://qz.com/1259524/mmm-and-bitcoin-russian-ponzi-mastermind-sergei-mavrodi-is-dead-but-his-legacy-lives-on-in-crypto/

https://www.rbth.com/history/332261-mmm-fraud-mavrodi

https://historyofyesterday.com/sergei-mavrodi-the-man-who-left-30-million-people-broke-2bbd03a9cd82

https://112.international/society/give-us-our-money-back-how-the-world-will-remember-the-mmm-financial-pyramid-founder-sergei-mavrodi-27224.html

https://www.forbes.ru/biznes/359219-hozyain-piramid-sergey-mavrodi-kak-simvol-lihih-90-h

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Jacquis Neal joins us to discuss the story of Juan Carlos Guzman Betancur. He was a teenage stowaway found frozen in a plane wheel in the 90’s and then grew up to become one of the world’s most talented criminals. Plus, a 60 year old woman is accused of faking cancer, to raise money so she could go to the casino. Stay Schemin’!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://theretronetwork.com/big-money-no-whammies/

https://www.damninteresting.com/who-wants-to-be-a-thousandaire/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/an-ice-cream-man-hacked-press-your-luck-1984-1217142/

https://nypost.com/2019/06/10/press-your-luck-game-show-scandal-back-in-the-spotlight/

https://steemit.com/story/@winstonwolfe/the-story-of-michael-larson-and-the-press-your-luck-gameshow-scandal

https://www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce/claims/archive/pleasuretime.htm#:~:text=On%20March%2013%2C%201995%2C%20the,action%20against%20Pleasure%20Time%2C%20Inc.&text=The%20SEC%20alleged%20that%20the,and%20the%20Group%20Dynamics%20Downline

https://www.newsweek.com/man-accused-simultaneously-working-principal-two-schools-located-400-miles-apart-1656001

https://medium.com/@hannah.fluxgold/the-confused-math-lady-meme-bd97530b1885

What’s poppin’ con-gregration? This week, Blair Socci joins us to discuss Michael Larson, the man who went on CBS’s game show, “Press Your Luck” and scammed them out of over $100,000. Plus, a man is accused of double-dipping employment as a principal of two different schools, hundreds of miles apart. Stay Schemin’!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://theretronetwork.com/big-money-no-whammies/

https://www.damninteresting.com/who-wants-to-be-a-thousandaire/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/an-ice-cream-man-hacked-press-your-luck-1984-1217142/

https://nypost.com/2019/06/10/press-your-luck-game-show-scandal-back-in-the-spotlight/

https://steemit.com/story/@winstonwolfe/the-story-of-michael-larson-and-the-press-your-luck-gameshow-scandal

https://www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce/claims/archive/pleasuretime.htm

https://www.newsweek.com/man-accused-simultaneously-working-principal-two-schools-located-400-miles-apart-1656001

https://medium.com/@hannah.fluxgold/the-confused-math-lady-meme-bd97530b1885

Praise the Lord, Con-gregation! This week, host of You’re Wrong About podcast, Sarah Marshall joins the show to discuss the scams of televangelists Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker.  Plus, money found in the wall at Joel Osteen’s megachurch has people questioning if fraud was involved. Stay Schemin’!

CW: Mention of sexual assault @ 45:30

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://religionandpolitics.org/2014/10/28/a-theme-park-a-scandal-and-the-faded-ruins-of-a-televangelism-empire/

https://www.biography.com/news/tammy-faye-jim-bakker-relationship-scandals

https://abcnews.go.com/US/scandals-brought-bakkers-uss-famous-televangelists/story?id=60389342

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/plumber-finds-cash-checks-loose-toilet-wall-joel-osteens-lakewood-chur-rcna7512

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/televangelist-tammy-faye-bakker-became-unlikely-ally-aids-crisis-rcna2059

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-03-30-mn-594-story.html

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, we got Scottie Beam & Sylvia Obell discussing Richard Scott Smith, a man promising love but really conning a group of mid western women out of over $1 million dollars. Plus, a Los Angeles family is shocked to learn that someone posted their home on Airbnb to rent it. Stay Schemin’!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/style/taking-down-bad-men-is-her-job.html

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a33821604/love-fraud-richard-scott-smith-true-story/

https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a33915040/richard-scott-smith-love-fraud-now/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8644523/Richard-Scott-Smith.html

https://www.oxygen.com/true-crime-buzz/what-happened-to-carla-the-bounty-hunter-from-love-fraud

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/11/30/exclusive-local-family-discovers-home-listed-on-airbnb-after-strangers-arrive-saying-they-rented-it/

What’s poppin’ con-gregation? This week, Fortune Feimster joins us to discuss Laura Albert, an author who published a book under the pseudonym JT LeRoy. It wasn’t discovered until years later that JT never really existed. Plus a 63-year-old Mississippi man is accused of being involved in a footbath scheme resulting in over $10 million in fake claims. Stay Schemin’!

CW: There is mention of sexual assault, abuse and suicide in this episode.  

Research By Kaelyn Brandt. 

SOURCES:

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2006/04/jtleroy200604

https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/14718/

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/04/230831/jt-le-roy-true-story-movie-literary-scam-hoax

https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/2001/7/strange-innocence

https://www.savannahknoop.net/

https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/crime/north-mississippi-podiatrist-indicted-foot-bath-scheme-water-valley-medicare-fraud/522-d92da935-ce2f-47e8-9ffa-33a44a182eba

What’s poppin con-gregation? This week, Mitra Jouhari joins the show discussing Christian Gehartsreiter aka Clark Rockefeller who spent 30 years passing himself off as an educated, wealthy aristocrat while taking advantage of people. Plus, three political operatives are accused of defrauding $3.5 million from PAC scams. Stay Schemin’!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt 

SOURCES:

https://media.vanityfair.com/photos/54cc01740a5930502f5f4667/master/w_1600,c_limit/image.jpg

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2008/08/08/the-little-town-and-life-rockefeller-left-for-fame/l20Zs5ZzVbgic07Sf0MB6M/story.html

https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/the-four-faces-of-rockefeller-6910914.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/10/us/politics/pac-operator-charges.html?searchResultPosition=3

This week, we have Yvette Nicole Brown discussing Candace Owens, a controversial conservative political commentator who is often called out for spreading blatant lies. Plus, the Trump Organization is once again being accused of fraud, this time, for insurance related to its New York golf course. Stay Schemin’!

Research By Kaelyn Brandt 

SOURCES:

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-organization-insurance-investigation-golf-course-1249755/

https://www.dailydot.com/debug/freedom-phone-security-issues/

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/josephbernstein/the-newest-star-of-the-trump-movement-ran-a-trump-bashing

https://mtonews.com/candace-owens-brilliant-new-scam-to-make-millions-from-republicans

https://newsone.com/4166719/candace-owens-washington-county-republican-party/

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/09/04/candace-owens-blexit/

https://blackamericaweb.com/2021/10/24/every-receipt-proving-candace-owens-is-a-con-artist-who-is-following-the-money/

https://medium.com/@randileeharper/an-open-letter-to-social-autopsy-ae64fccdcfe