Is 'Hollywood Con Queen' based on true story? Apple TV+ show exposes serial imposter Hargobind Tahilramani
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Apple TV+'s upcoming docuseries, 'Hollywood Con Queen', is based on the true story of a serial imposter, Hargobind Tahilramani, who conned over 300 aspiring artists. The three-episode docuseries will expose Hargobind's notorious scam which shocked the entire entertainment industry of Hollywood.
Hargobind famously impersonated Hollywood’s most powerful women including 'Star Wars' producer Kathleen Kennedy, former Sony movie chief Amy Pascal and ex-Paramount boss Sherry Lansing. He had scammed aspiring actors, screenwriters and photographers, out of more than $1 million by offering them the chance at a big break.
Hargobind started his elaborate scheme in 2013 and has been accused of wreaking havoc on the entertainment industry for the next seven years. He initially made contact with his victims through email. The serial imposter then connected with the victims on regular calls and mimicked the voices of top female executives.
The scammer lured his unsuspecting targets to Indonesia by offering life-changing career opportunities. The victims needed to pay for their own expenses of their flights and were also pressured into paying for logistical services with the promise of reimbursement. However, the expenses were never paid back instead, Hargobind exhausted the victims' thousands of dollars.
Hargobind Tahilramani lures victims by offering sexual favors
'Hollywood Con Queen' scammer Hargobind Tahilramani didn't only offer life-changing opportunities but also lured victims with sexual favors. New York-based screenwriter Greg Mandarano was one of the Hargobind's victims who had fallen for the scheme.
According to the ABC docuseries, the conman approached Greg, who was then posed as film producer Jean 'Gigi' Pritzker. The screenwriter was scammed out of $80,000 to $40,000 which he paid in cash. Hargobind also offered sexual favors to Greg and tried to get him to send recordings of himself. Greg said to have evidence of emails and call recordings which could expose Hargobind.
How was Hargobind Tahilramani exposed?
Hargobind Tahilramani's scam was brought to the attention of veteran investigative journalist Scott Johnson and dedicated private investigator Nicole Kotsianas. The duo teamed up to find the truth only to discover a story more strange than they could have imagined.
Scott and Nicole track down Hargobind's locations around the world including Manchester. The year-long investigation findings claimed that the scams were sophisticated catfishing operations at the beginning and later turned into Hollywood's biggest scam. The upcoming docuseries, 'Hollywood Con Queen' is based on Scott's original reporting for The Hollywood Reporter.
'Hollywood Con Queen' will premiere on Wednesday, May 8 on Apple TV+.