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"We're Robin Hood," the queenpins reassure themselves. In July of 2012, police raided Ramirez's home andseized more than $25 million worth of fake coupons. Some customers became aware of the bust after they tried to use the coupons and they didn't work. Queenpins' true story is based on the couponing scam designed by three Arizona women: Robin Ramirez, Marilyn Johnson, and Amiko "Amy" Fountain. Then-forty-year-old Robin Ramirez led the group, which included Marilyn Johnson, then-fifty-four, and Amiko Amy Fountain, then-forty-two. Capitalism always knows how to win. Queenpins. Bud Miller, who was the Executive Director of the Coupon Information Corporation (CIC), told money-saving columnist Jill Cataldo, "Initial contact was made by a SWAT team removing the front door of a residence by force. She does not seem to take it too seriously, telling us that "this is a story about little old coupons.". I was very excited when I saw on the front page of the script that was based on a true story. They'd then sell them on eBay and a website, SavvyShopperSite, for a profit. She was the only one of the three to receive jail time. Had their deals been a little worse, maybe the women would have never gotten caught. 'They're buying bunches, and they're redeeming them in bunches.'. He also focused more on the character aspect of his part, rather than talking to anyone actually involved in loss prevention. Kirby Howell-Baptiste co-stars as JoJo Johnson, an aspiring YouTube vlogger and Connie's partner in crime. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. Kristen Bell, her The Good Place co-star Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and singer Bebe Rexha are set to star in an upcoming comedy calledQueenpins, in which they play a trio of women who make bank in a coupon counterfeiting scam but the massive real-life fraud that inspired the film was no laughing matter. All three women were arrested and charged with forgery, fraud and counterfeiting. 17:42 EST 23 Jul 2021. And after reading the script and falling massively in love with it, because it was such a grounded comedy, I did some research about these women. As far as the real women involved, stars Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste admit that they never actually met or spoke to the actual minds behind the crime to learn what sparked it. Howell-Baptiste previously worked with Bell on Veronica Mars and The Good Place. She has also worked on soundtracks for movies like Abominable and, most recently, He's All That. Ramirez pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, counterfeiting and fraud. Fountain and Johnson were both sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a single count of counterfeiting. In the wake of the bust, all three women pleaded guilty. Here's the cast and character guide for Queenpins, along with comparisons to some of the characters' counterparts in real life. Joel McHaleas Rick Kaminski- McHale plays Connie's husband who is worried about their growing amount of debt. The movie, which premieres September 10, offers a comical take on the true story ofRobin Ramirez, Amiko Fountain, and Marilyn Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, who were arrested in 2012 for their years-long counterfeitingracket and ordered to pay P&G millions in restitution. Autumn Cejer is a Movie/TV Features Writer for Screen Rant. -Investigative Consultants. He also focused more on the character aspect of his part, rather than talking to anyone actually involved in loss prevention. No. The three women, Robin Ramirez, Amiko Fountain, and Marilyn Johnson, mostly sold free-product coupons. Okeniyi appeared in The Hunger Games and Run Sweetheart Run, and his next role is in Greek Freak. We're all looking for a loophole to find our joy and happiness in life." The real Queenpins' mugshots are displayed below. The film's largely painful humor is informed by the mistaken belief that the main characters' criminal enterprise is inherently quirky. I just decided I really wanted to play the curmudgeon nature of the character. The women guaranteed a one-hundred-percent return rate if a store rejected one of their coupons. Related:Free Guy Cast, Characters & All Cameos Guide. Yes, a bear actually did consumer millions of dollars worth of cocaine. She was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by seven years probation. Kristen Bell And Kirby Howell-Baptiste Run A Multi-Million Dollar Coupon Scam In The 'Queenpins' Trailer. But thats just Connie and Jojo. Bell has extensive experience in Broadway, television, and film, leading successful TV series like Veronica Mars and The Good Place. The acting was solid, though the relatively unknown Paul Walter Hauser stole the movie. But Aron [Gaudet]and Gita [Pullapilly], as storytellers our writer and directors have added so many specific elements of storytelling to this about what Connies career was, what Jojos career was, their circumstances in life in order to create a story that you would root for, and then it sort of goes into the nonfiction aspect that it sort of wasnt maybe as necessary to take on a ton of the real life characteristics of the women.. Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly's Queenpins concerns two Arizona suburbanites, Connie (Kristen Bell) and JoJo (Kirby . A charge for forgery was dropped. Its that simple. Users had to be 'invited' to join the site, and fans raved about the impossibly good deals, like a coupon for a free pizza worth $7 that would cost shoppers just $1. I was very excited when I saw on the front page of the script that was based on a true story. Thats why they say Robin Hood, thats why they say the fat cats on Wall Street deserve it, thats why they say these corporations are evil. Not because they believe any of that, but so they dont feel guilty about their own actions. His message to coupon wrongdoers is, yes, you got a good deal. While it might seem outrageous and is played for laughs in the movie, in July 2012, a SWAT team really did raid the Phoenix residences of the three women who played a part in the counterfeit coupon operation. But lets be honest: its hard to feel too sorry for the corporations in this instance. The Phoenix Police Department conducted undercover operations in which they purchased the counterfeit coupons. She and JoJo then learn that the coupons originate from an Advanced Solutions factory in Chihuahua, Mexico, deciding to travel there and collect the coupons to redistribute to other mothers and wives. She also was ordered to pay restitution of up to $5 million. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. Bud Miller, Executive Director of the Coupon Information Center, told money-saving columnist Jill Cataldo at the time, "These customers should expect contact in the future." In addition, the scenes involving the gun sale include short appearances by co-director Aron Gaudet's brother Nick as a barista, as well as actor and director Nick Cassavetes as the leader of the group buying the guns. Queenpinshits theaters on September 10th and will be available to stream via Paramount+ on September 30th. A judge sentenced Ramirez to twenty-four months in prison and seven years probation. [3] In July 2020, it was announced Paul Walter Hauser and Vince Vaughn had joined the cast of the film. Kristen Bell stars as Connie Kaminski, a suburban housewife who just wants to find a solution for the debtburying her and her husband. Fountain and Johnson both still live and work in the Phoenix area, in professions that have nothing to do with coupons. On the other side we have faceless and barely acknowledged corporations (always a convenient bad guy) and an LPO (loss prevention officer, a fancy title for private security). In real life, the Phoenix Police Department led the investigation with the assistance of the FBI. Many of the details of the real story have been changed, including the names, but also backstories to make the characters more sympathetic. The ring used a series of twelve different bank accounts to house their money. The comedy Queenpins features a talented cast coming together to tell a crazy true story. The coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. Coupons wasnt even the biggest, most interesting case I did. It's not a seamless fit. No one who purchased coupons faced legal repercussions, but one cant help but think that they are the real losers here. Not only does Arizona state law forbid convicted criminals from profiting by selling their story, but writer-directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly have emphasized that their story is an entirely fictional version of the real thing. The site's name was inspired by the legit coupon magazine Savvy Shopper, which is in no way related. A quarter of the U.S. will fall inside an extreme heat belt. The crime comedy is based on a counterfeit coupon empire that shocked law enforcement. In Queenpins, its Ken Miller who pleads with the FBI to get involved, but in the end, he ends up working with Vince Vaughns postal inspector character, with the reasoning being that the crime was technically committed via snail mail. If you can get an unlimited number of those, think how this grows" (Yahoo Finance). Judge Daniel Martin sentenced her to 24 months, as well as seven years probation. Ramirez, too, declined to respond to requests for comment. In February of 2013,Ramirez pleaded guilty to counterfeiting, fraud, and illegal control of an enterprise, though a forgery charge was dropped. In reality, thewomen seemed to have a better grasp of how to stay under the radar than the movie portrays, which enabled them to avoid police detection for so long. David Lake, who led the Phoenix Police Departments investigation, told KPHOat the time. It all sounded so unbelievable and over the top, and we knew the story had the makings for a great comedy., So while the women may not be thrilled to see their pasts dredged up and played for laughs on the big screen, Lake is hopeful that moviegoers wont come away with the wrong idea about creating or using counterfeit coupons. She really likes to watch out the window as we land and it helps calm her down. They were a part of a fast-rising category referred to as "pink collar criminals," "nice" suburban women who commit non-violent crimes, mostly fraud or embezzling from businesses or from community organizations like the PTA. Queenpins tells a comedic story of two down-on-their-luck Phoenix women who discover their path to prosperity by concocting a $40 million counterfeit coupon scheme that all comes crashing down when they get caught. It might have been more interesting to have lead police officer on the case a woman, as it was in the actual arrest. The film is based on the true story of three Arizona women arrested in 2012 for a $40 million fraud involving coupons. These are free-item coupons," Phoenix Police Sgt. Con Kristen Bell, Lidia Porto, Joel McHale, Kirby. But the coupons were high-quality counterfeits. However, Ken Miller, a hapless loss prevention officer for the A&G Family Marts stores in the Southwestern United States, learns about the coupons and the losses several companies are taking, and pressures his superiors before ultimately deciding to handle the case himself. Thats the type of money they had, Sgt. Rexha's character helps Connie and JoJo evade the authorities, mainly by strengthening their internet security. In real life, the FBI did get involved, along with the non-profit Coupon Information Center. The real-life Queenpins: How three Arizona women were busted with $25 MILLION in counterfeit coupons they were selling online - and inspired a new movie starring Kristen Bell The coupons are being sent through the mail and the FBI does not take it seriouslybecause it's coupons. But can you live with what you did?. Queenpins Cast And Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From, Worth Cast & Character Guide: What The Real People Look Like, Free Guy Cast, Characters & All Cameos Guide, Q-Force Cast & Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From. Netherlands ($200,244), United Arab Emirates ($123,281), Hungary ($88,609), Croatia ($41,810), Lithuania ($18,354), Iceland ($11,774), South Africa ($5,900) and Portugal ($5,501). It is also revealed that Connie, after numerous unsuccessful attempts to conceive following her miscarriage, is finally pregnant through in vitro fertilization. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. Connie initially comes up with the couponing scheme, eventuallyteaming up with her friend to help her pull off the biggest coupon scam in U.S. history. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Details of the true story at the heart of Queenpinswere first revealed in July 2012. She spends her free time drinking coffee and trying to resist the urge to buy any new books before reading the many she already owns. She has previously appeared with Bell on Bad Moms, buther claim to fame has been in screenwriting. What is the Japanese language plot outline for Queenpins (2021)? They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). Paul Walter Hauser's character, Ken Miller, seems to be a very loosely-inspired caricature of Bud Miller, the Executive Director of the Coupon Information Corporation (CIC). It stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Paul Walter Hauser, Bebe Rexha, and Vince Vaughn. Queenpins (2021) Rated R for language throughout. Having had enough of his lack of support, she declares that she wants a divorce. At the time of her arrest, investigators discovered Ramirez had four online accounts and 12 bank accounts. Authorities also seized twenty-two assault weapons and twenty-one vehicles, including a forty-foot boat, in the raid. Her ancestry is Polish (mother) and German, English, Irish, and Scottish (father). Their unbelievable success eventually catches the attention of law enforcement. The comedy Queenpins is inspired by the largest coupon scam in U.S. history. In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. [Resumes eating snacks and looking out the window], Watch Queenpins: Gita Pullapilly & Aron Gaudet On Why Kristen Bell And Kirby Howell-Baptiste Were Right For Their Roles, Watch Queenpins: Kristen Bell On How She Became Involved In The Film, Watch Queenpins: Paul Walter Hauser On What Drew Him To The Film, Watch Queenpins: Kirby Howell-Baptiste On How She Became Involved In The Film, Watch Queenpins: Bebe Rexha On The Experience She's Had So Far Acting In Her First Film. The last 20 minutes lose sight of whatever point they are trying to make beyond the fun of seeing people get away with breaking the rules. According to Sgt. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. They were also ordered to pay Proctor & Gamble more than $1.2 million. The ringleader, Robin Ramirez, started selling bogus coupons as far back as 2007, and was eventually joined by accomplices Marilyn Johnson and Amiko Fountain. A look at what really happened with the characters of Andrew Dominiks 2007 Western epic. US Postal Inspector Simon Kilmurry (Vince Vaughn) appears to be entirely fictional. The fake coupon game isnt a joke. (edited by) Casting By Ben Harris Allison Jones Production Design by Jennifer Klide Art Direction by Adri Siriwatt Costume Design by Julie Carnahan Makeup Department Production Management Mike Upton . In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. Queenpins: Dirigido por Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly. In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. Vaughn is also currently appearing in the series Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 2012, investigators found millions of dollars worth in forged coupons. For example, a person could use a $25 coupon to purchase a $15 bag of dog food and receive the difference in cash. Queenpins is a quirky crime comedy inspired by a trio of women who made millions of dollars in an elaborate coupon scam. Mugshots of the real women behind Queenpins are displayed below. Mumolo was an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter for the romantic comedy Bridesmaids. After a particularly frustrating day, Connie writes a complaint letter to General Mills about the Wheaties she ate being stale, and soon, she receives a coupon for a free box of cereal. And it seems like the makers of the movie share this sentiment. The movie takes a more lighthearted angle on the real story, having to combine ortweak some of the people involved in order towork better as a film. We dont want people to think they can do this, he said. Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste star in this based-on-a-true-story film about a pair of women whose coupon-counterfeiting operation turned into more than they bargained for. Ben Stiller serves as an executive producer under his Red Hour Productions banner. Being clever with coupons makes her feel like she is making a financial contribution. Much the same can be said for Paul Walter Houser, who plays Ken Miller, the loss prevention officer that uncovers and eventually busts Connie and Jojos scam. The real Queenpins' mugshots are displayed below. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. The trail led to the Arizona coupon ring located in Phoenix. Much the same can be said for Paul Walter Houser, who plays Ken Miller, the loss prevention officer that uncovers and eventually busts Connie and Jojos scam. But court records indicate that she has not quite been able to put this case behind her. And they get a monthly reminder every time they make their latest restitution payment. No, not at all, Bell told TheWrap. Marilyn Johnson, 54, Robin Ramirez, 40, and Amiko Fountain, 42, were taken into custody, and in a press conference, police said a search warrant served resulted in the seizing of $40 million worth of coupons and $2 million worth of assets from the womens homes, including $240,000 in vehicles, 22 guns, and a 40-foot speedboat. The cruelty-free sacred oil that will anoint Charles as King: Monarch breaks Coronation Day tradition with 'I have nothing to say to you': Father of Mallory Beach - who was killed in a boat crash while Alex Murdaugh's Alex Murdaugh is seen with his prison buzz cut as he starts two life sentences without parole for killing his Family 'mortified' after being thrown out of Mother Goose panto for bringing their baby with them, after venue Is this Britain's most despicable man? Kristen Bell as Connie Kaminski Kristen Bell stars as Connie Kaminski, a suburban housewife who just wants to find a solution for the debt burying her and her husband. Much the same can be said for Paul Walter Houser, who plays Ken Miller, the loss prevention officer that uncovers and eventually busts Connie and Jojos scam. The only real-life individual you could say was better off after the case than before, is the man who cracked the case. But I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. Meanwhile, Ken is partnered with U.S. postal inspector Simon Kilmurry. Marilyn Johnson, 54, Robin Ramirez, 40, and Amiko Fountain, 42, were taken into custody, and in a press conference, police said a search warrant served resulted in the seizing of $40 million worth of coupons and $2 million worth of assets from the womens homes, including $240,000 in vehicles, 22 guns, and a 40-foot speedboat. The other two women pleaded guilty to a single charge of counterfeiting. The duo then interview a group of postal workers, who remember JoJo, especially because Earl is always watching her videos. "We knew, based on our research on past films, the more we dig into the real lives, it becomes much more serious, much more dramatic," Pullapilly told the, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. According to Coupons in the News, Ramierz started selling counterfeit coupons as early as 2007, and was eventually joined by the other two women. [1] It was released on September 10, 2021. The comedy Queenpins is inspired by the largest coupon scam in U.S. history. If you can get an unlimited number of those, think how this grows. By mail. [7], Principal photography began in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Required fields are marked *. [12] Hauser's performance as fraud specialist Ken Miller received praise from critics who praised his onscreen chemistry with Vaughn while noting that the film established him as a comedic actor after his breakthrough role in 2019's Richard Jewell. I'd call it a buddy film on a couple of levels: The main characters, Connie and Jo, and then the sub-characters, Simon and Ken. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Though most of their fraudulent earnings have been confiscated, the pair have hundreds of thousands of dollars from their illegal activities stashed away, and JoJo starts a relationship with Earl and relocates to Montenegro, a non-extradition country, where the pair can immediately restart the scam upon Connie's release. Queenpins. He'd be scary if the film didn't make him the literal butt of the joke. Ill go out on a limb here and predict that their once noble intentions go off the rails. Queenpins is Rexha's first major acting role. Indeed, the movie is inspired by a true story, but just how closely does the film follow the events and people its based on? At $300 a month, even if she stays current in her payments, it will take more than 120 years to pay off her share of the restitution order. Jack McBrayerasAgent Park - McBrayer has extensive experience in comedy. Instead, Hauser's character is a loss-prevention officer for a grocery store chain. It appeared the women were making so much money, they werent even sure how to spend it all. This is much more inspired So we dont really know anything about the real players and we kind of didnt want to. On the case to bust them: a supermarkets loss-prevention officer and a US postal inspector, played by Paul Walter HauserandVince Vaughn, respectively. And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? Kristen Anne Bell (born 1980) is an American actress and singer. In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. It stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Paul Walter Hauser, Bebe Rexha, and Vince Vaughn. She was most likely added to the script for comedic reasons in order to frame Connie and JoJo as being in over their heads and desperately needing outside help. Lets break it down. Your email address will not be published. The trailer for Queenpinsincludes audio of Bell and Howell-Baptistes characters calling out systemic inequality and likening themselves to Robin Hood. Upon realizing that they could get a coupon for a free item sent to them just by complaining to the manufacturer, they come up with a plan to smuggle and steal cases of those coupons, to then sell to people. "These aren't 50-cent-off coupons. Kiara frowned, watching the usually stoic Ame toss and turn in the driver's seat. He described digging through trash cans, conducting surveillance, and ultimately kicking in the doors of the three womens homes, where they found a treasure trove of evidence coupons, cash, guns, along with what they later discovered was an airplane hangar filled with sports cars, a fully decked-out RV and a 40-foot speedboat. They included coupons for anything from Hershey bars to dog food to diapers. That would be too prestigious for Hauser's wannabe-cop Miller (Hauser borrows from his 2019 performance in Richard Jewell). But thats just Connie and Jojo. In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. After a shootout breaks out at a jazz club in the heart of town over a 'transaction' gone wrong, the Shrimps of Ocean Street and the Deadbeats of Industrial Way prepare to fight. Unilever also claimed losses, pointing to five particular coupons that had been founded in Ramirezs home, though a judge ruled that they couldn't prove that the three women were responsible for selling them. Of course, the trailer also shows them later living in luxury and boarding private jets. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. Heres how the real Queenpins counterfeit coupon ring worked: shoppers would purchase the coupons on websites like eBay and/or be invited or referred to the rings personal website, savvyshoppersite.com. The story actually began more than a decade ago, when the women started selling their coupons online. See production, box office & company info. While JoJo is released on bail, Rick visits Connie only so he can admonish her, having been informed by Simon that she and JoJo have defrauded over 240 companies of tens of millions of dollars. Fountain and Johnson each pleaded guilty to one charge of counterfeiting. The Coupon Queens cheated as many as 40 major manufacturers (Business Insider). A reality television series about this trend had an episode on the Arizona coupon case. "We're talking about anywhere from $400 to $600 million in loss," said Officer James Holmes of the Phoenix Police Department. It was then that they learned of the fakes that were in circulation. In Queenpins, its Ken Miller who pleads with the FBI to get involved, but in the end, he ends up working with Vince Vaughns postal inspector character, with the reasoning being that the crime was technically committed via snail mail. After tracing the origins of the ring to Phoenix, the FBI then teamed up with local law enforcement to bust the group.