Scam Goddess
Background
Published in September of 2024, “Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts, and Schemes” is a humorous essay collection by Laci Mosley, host of the award-winning “Scam Goddess” podcast. The book delves into various frauds, cons, and schemes, examining how the scammer mindset has influenced Mosley’s upbringing, career, relationships, and more. Through personal anecdotes and true-crime scam stories, Mosley offers insights into navigating a complex and often unjust world.
My Thoughts
I had never heard of Laci Mosley before reading this book. I had to Google “Florida Girls” and realized there really wasn’t any way I would stumble across her work thus far. (Till now!) I enjoy reading a random new book release in a failing attempt to diversify my interests and keep me current. I say failing because I seem to slide further into my “get off the lawn” phase in life. I love the quote from the Simpsons (Abe Simpson Season 7, Episode 24), “I used to be with it, but then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it,’ and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary to me. It’ll happen to you!”
Anyway, I enjoyed the book. I certainly don’t agree with the main premise that everyone is a scammer and trying to get one over on everyone. In fact, it saddens me to think there are so many people out there with the same perspective. Mosley mentions in the book how she stole food from a hotel because she didn’t want to wait in line. No apology, no shame, just a passing mention that it was their fault for not having enough attendants. That is full on self centered entitlement. She not only doesn’t see that behavior as wrong, she honestly believes she was being the moral actor as she was engaged in what she deemed as a good cause at the time. Plus, and as a bonus, it is the fault of institution that allowed it to happen. To use the classic phrase, “This is why we can’t have nice things.”
Oh yeah, back on track. I enjoyed the book. Mosley is very open with her thoughts and feelings has she shares her story. Her words are alive with energy and enthusiasm and she almost made me forget that most of what she shared was morally reprehensible. I have almost nothing in common with an attention seeking, actress, female, black, millennial and even less with a self described “Scam Goddess”, but I appreciate the window into her story.
Recommendation
I’m on the fence here. I’d imagine if you know and love Laci Mosley, you would likely love this book. However, even though I enjoyed the read and specifically enjoyed the alternate perspective, reading it hurt my heart and may have dimmed my perspective on humanity. The reader will have make up their own mind on this one.
