Apple TV+ has released the trailer for its upcoming documentary series “Hollywood Con Queen,” shedding light on one of Hollywood’s most elaborate scams. The three-part series, premiering globally on May 8, 2024, exposes the deceitful actions of an international con artist who targeted aspiring individuals in the entertainment industry.
The series uncovers the complex scam perpetrated by an individual known as the “Con Queen,” an Indonesian man named Hargobind Punjabi Tahilramani. Tahilramani impersonated powerful female executives, luring aspiring actors, filmmakers, and other entertainment industry hopefuls with promises of career opportunities. The scam involved enticing victims to travel to Indonesia, where they were exploited financially and emotionally.
Veteran investigative journalist Scott Johnson of The Hollywood Reporter, who first broke the story in 2018, and dedicated private investigator Nicole Kotsianas set out to expose the truth. Johnson’s book, “The Con Queen of Hollywood: The Hunt for an Evil Genius,” published in 2023, provides a comprehensive account of the scam and the perpetrator’s elaborate deceptions.
The “Con Queen” scam targeted vulnerable individuals seeking their big break in Hollywood. Victims were approached via phone or email by someone impersonating an industry executive, director, casting agent, or producer. They were offered the opportunity to work on exciting film or television projects in Indonesia, only to find themselves entangled in a web of deception. Once in Indonesia, victims were taken on tours of tourist destinations and cultural sites, facing frequent schedule changes and meeting cancellations. They were forced to pay various fees with the false promise of reimbursement, often exhausting their finances.
The scam also took a disturbing turn, with the Con Queen engaging in phone sex with some victims and making explicit demands. This aspect of the scam was particularly damaging, exploiting the vulnerabilities of individuals seeking career advancement.
Hargobind Punjabi Tahilramani, the mastermind behind the scam, was eventually arrested in Manchester, UK, in December 2020. He had a background in impersonation and manipulation, using altered voices and accents to deceive his victims. Tahilramani’s actions had far-reaching consequences, leaving a trail of financial and emotional destruction in his wake.
The “Hollywood Con Queen” documentary series promises to offer a comprehensive exposé of this intricate scam, bringing awareness to the manipulative tactics employed by the Con Queen and the impact on the lives of those targeted.
