According to KTAR News, a Phoenix radio station, the group focused on manufacturers coupons, which typically offer a free item or significant discount. Bud Miller is thought to have loosely inspired Paul Walter Hauser's character in the movie, Ken Miller. 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. Kristen Bell as Connie Kaminski and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as JoJo Johnson in QUEENPINS. They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Coupons in the News features daily news stories and information about coupons, grocery shopping and saving money. Queenpins - Chapter 3 - Elias_Pedro - Archive of Our Own 'Queenpins' Review: Suburban Scammers Two cash-strapped neighbors devise a multimillion-dollar coupon swindle in this mildly entertaining comedy. Together, they set up a website called Savvy Super Saver, and eventually make millions of dollars in turn, costing multiple manufacturers millions of dollars. 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. Kristen Bell Runs A Real-Life Coupon Scam In 'Queenpins' Trailer - UPROXX The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? Law-enforcement authorities, manufacturers, and retailers advise against purchasing coupons. 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. The acting was solid, though the relatively unknown Paul Walter Hauser stole the movie. Queenpins. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. That is the basic premise of Queenpins, a comedy reuniting The Good Placeco-stars Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as the two leads. It's very easy to say their words," says Kristen. The leader, Ramirez, pleaded guilty to fraud, counterfeiting, and illegal control of an enterprise. So even though the events of nearly a decade ago seem like old news to the rest of us, its something the culprits continue to live with. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy Thats the type of money they had, Sgt. For the most part, yes. At the time of her arrest, investigators discovered Ramirez had four online accounts and 12 bank accounts. the three womens 2012 arrests for coupon fraud, the major motion picture they inspired is set to open in theaters this Friday, were ordered to pay nearly $1.3 million in restitution to Procter & Gamble, REVIEW: Queenpins Takes Coupon Counterfeiting to Extremes, The Cast and Crew of Queenpins Take a Crash Course in Coupons, Coupon Industry Gets Ready For Its Closeup, In Queenpins, A Q&A With the Creators of Queenpins, the Counterfeit Coupon Caper. The real-life Queenpins thought that the similar name would make their scheme appear more legitimate. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Bud is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and an industry veteran. A look at the counterculture movement that became the religious right. The three women, Robin Ramirez, Amiko Fountain, and Marilyn Johnson, mostly sold free-product coupons. Afterwards, the duo begins their own website and small business "Savvy Super Saver", which helps them sell numerous coupons and generate profit. 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. Shecan next be seen in the indie film Silent Night and later inThe Sandman TV series. The Arizona coupon ring's leader, Robin Ramirez, and her accomplices, Marilyn Johnson and Amiko Fountain, were arrested in July of 2012. In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. Dave Lake told CBS5 later. And why Bell and co-star Paul Walter Houser didnt talk to the real people behind the characters they play. Instead, he becomes highly frustrated when the FBI blows off his concerns. Ramirez, then 40, Fountain, then 42, and Johnson, then 54, were arrested andcharged with counterfeiting, forgery, money laundering, operating an illegal enterprise, and other crimes. A reality television series about this trend had an episode on the Arizona coupon case. This is based on the true story of three women: Robin Ramirez, Marilyn Johnson, and Amiko "Amy" Fountain. Had their deals been a little worse, maybe the women would have never gotten caught. JoJo combines two people in real life:Amiko Fountain and Marilyn Johnson. The ringleader, Robin Ramirez, started selling bogus coupons as far back as 2007, and was eventually joined by accomplices Marilyn Johnson and Amiko Fountain. Queenpins has arrived in theaters and on Paramount+, telling the story of the countrys largest counterfeit coupon scam. A charge for forgery was dropped. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. Kristen Bell And Kirby Howell-Baptiste Run A Multi-Million Dollar Coupon Scam In The 'Queenpins' Trailer. We're all looking for a loophole to find our joy and happiness in life." 'Queenpins' Plot Summary , updated David Lake, who led the Phoenix Police Departments investigation, told KPHO at the time. 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. From left, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste. In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. A quarter of the U.S. will fall inside an extreme heat belt. Watch Queenpins: Bebe Rexha On The Experience She's Had So Far Acting In Her First Film Photos 17 Top cast Edit Kristen Bell Connie Kirby JoJo (as Kirby Howell-Baptiste) Paul Walter Hauser Ken Bebe Rexha Tempe Tina Lidia Porto Mrs. Flores Joel McHale Rick Greta Oglesby Mama Josie Eduardo Franco Greg (Cashier) Ben Sidell Man in Line Nneoma Sampson (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 . 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. "These aren't 50-cent-off coupons. "This is to American companies who produced American products and hire American citizens" (DSA). And I think it comes from loneliness and feeling isolated and kind of under-utilized or under-appreciated. You can't make this stuff up - and the filmmakers didn't have to. Yes. I have never purchased coupons from a clipping service or an auction site." Required fields are marked *. Mumolo was an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter for the romantic comedy Bridesmaids. 'Queenpins' Review: How to Scam Audiences with Sophomoric Humor For diapers and toothpaste. HBOs Rain Dogs Finds Humor, Despair in the Working-Class Mum at its Center, Berlinale Highlights, Part Three: Hummingbirds, Concrete Valley, Afire, The Oneness of All Things: On Sofia Alaouis Animalia, New York International Childrens Film Festival Opens Window to the World. Lets break it down. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's - Yahoo! Released in the United States on September 10, 2021 by STXfilms, the film received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office bomb, grossing only $1.2 million against a $20 million production budget. Thecomedy Queenpins features a talented cast coming together to tell a crazy true story. And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. On the case to bust them: a supermarkets loss-prevention officer and a US postal inspector, played by Paul Walter HauserandVince Vaughn, respectively. Perhaps the most telling sign that things weren't on the up-and-up was the fact that the site advised, "Please do not share this information with people that you don't actually know. On the case to bust them: a supermarket's. In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. 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. Postal Inspector lead the investigation into their activities, encountering multiple humorous setbacks along the way. In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. Here's the cast and character guide and the real-life counterparts. Visitors to the Savvy Shopper Site website could buy high-value coupons offering free items like detergent, diapers, pet food and more, for pennies on the dollar. He can next be seen in the movie Delia's Gone. 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. Queenpins is a 2021 American comedy film written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. The scheme came crashing down after forty businesses, including major companies like Proctor & Gamble, Hershey, and PepsiCo, filed fraud complaints. "[Ringleader Robin Ramirez] would bring in these coupons from overseas in large quantities, quantities we never could imagine and she would sell them on her website for about 50 percent of face value," said Sgt. The crime comedy is based on a counterfeit coupon empire that shocked law enforcement. [5] In October 2020, Bebe Rexha joined the cast of the film. [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. You know what, I bet if a better actor were playing Ken Miller, thered probably be a little fine tooth combing involved with the world of loss prevention. 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. However, he doesn't appear to have inspired Vaughn's Kilmurry. He'd be scary if the film didn't make him the literal butt of the joke. Together, they set up a website called Savvy Super Saver, and eventually make millions of dollars in turn, costing multiple manufacturers millions of dollars. People who purchased coupons on the site could use them for an item and even get cash back if the value of the coupon exceeded the item's price. The women sold their counterfeit coupons on various online sites, including eBay and their own website, SavvyShopperSite.com. The duo then interview a group of postal workers, who remember JoJo, especially because Earl is always watching her videos. You cant make this stuff up and the filmmakers didnt have to. she says. 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.. This film wasn't deep, and at times it stretched credibility, but it was fun and engaging. The women guaranteed a one-hundred-percent return rate if a store rejected one of their coupons. From writer-directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, the film stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Ba. The character mainly functions to forward the plot and as the other half of the "buddy-cop" duo with Ken Miller (Paul Walter Hauser). A bright spot is Bebe Rexha as a dark web expert who helps Connie and Jojo launder their money. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy David Lake said. Husband-and-wife filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly did fly to Arizona in 2018 to interview the real detective who worked the case. 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. While the characters in the 2021 movieQueenpins call out systemic inequality and the downfalls of capitalism, it's unlikely that their real-life counterparts shared these same sentiments. They were also ordered to pay Proctor & Gamble more than $1.2 million. You could only place an order if you had a referral from a current customer, and you had to pay for your order with a Green Dot Moneypak (prepaid debit card). Ramirez, too, declined to respond to requests for comment. Paul Walter Hauser Got AEW References Into 'Queenpins' Film - Fightful When we're with Connie and JoJo, the tone of "Queenpins" is upbeat and sit-com-y, with Dolly Parton on the soundtrack telling us everything is going to be all right. 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.. Judge Daniel Martin sentenced her to 24 months, as well as seven years probation. In researching the Queenpins true story, we learned that Procter & Gamble did an audit of their third-party coupon processors. In addition to the $40 million in counterfeit coupons that they confiscated, police seized $2 million in assets from the three women, including four homes, 22 guns, a 40-foot speed boat, and 21 vehicles. It might have been more interesting to have lead police officer on the case a woman, as it was in the actual arrest. They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). It stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Paul Walter Hauser, Bebe Rexha, and Vince Vaughn. The FBI has crooks who commit moremanly crimes to track down. And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. According to Sgt. Summary: Amelia Watson, a senior but loose cannon, problem child detective of City PD, has to prevent a war. No. Ken is the kind of guy who desperately wants to present himself as a stoic, but when alone, screams in rage. 'These aren't 50 cent off coupons. Alienated by her uninspiring existence being unemployed and having suffered a miscarriage in an attempt to conceive a child, Connie commiserates with her best friend Joanna "JoJo" Johnson, who has been unable to secure proper employment since having her identity stolen and thus lives with her mother Josephine, attempting to generate revenue by making YouTube videos while being amorously pursued by the local mailman, Earl. Bell will next be lending her voice to the animated show Do, Re & Mi, as well as appearing in the miniseries The Woman in the House. These companies included Hershey, Procter & Gamble, and the Coupon Information Corporation. After complaining about cereal gone stale, the pair receives dozens of freebies, inspiring them to hatch an illegal coupon club scheme. Next:Q-Force Cast & Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From. Coupon enthusiast Jill Cataldo warns, "Even though many places sell coupons online, you should never buy them. Shedisplays considerable comedy chopsin films like Bad Momsand is also well-known for her role as Anna inDisney's Frozen franchise. The site's name was inspired by the legit coupon magazine Savvy Shopper, which is in no way related. Which brings us to Queenpins, a based-on-a-true-story comedy about the suburbanite besties behind the largest coupon counterfeit scam in U.S. history. But I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. Aron and I were immediately drawn to the story and had to understand it more, Pullapilly said. 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. Authorities also seized twenty-two assault weapons and twenty-one vehicles, including a forty-foot boat, in the raid. Whatever Happened to the Real-Life Queenpins? Previously, she worked as a singer and songwriter, penning hitslike Eminem and Rihanna's "The Monster" and collaborating with bands such as Florida Georgia Line. The comedy Queenpins features a talented cast coming together to tell a crazy true story. Queenpins: Dirigido por Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly. Some customers became aware of the bust after they tried to use the coupons and they didn't work. He also focused more on the character aspect of his part, rather than talking to anyone actually involved in loss prevention. In real life, the FBI did get involved, along with the non-profit Coupon Information Center. 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. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. No, not at all, Bell told TheWrap. Fountain and Johnson each pleaded guilty to one charge of counterfeiting. 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. 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. See production, box office & company info. If you can get an unlimited number of those, think how this grows. The bare-bones blueprint for the story is accurate; a small group of women make millions selling counterfeit coupons. No, not at all, Bell told TheWrap. 'Its like Robin Hood,' Howell-Baptiste's character says in the trailer, summing up the coupon fraud plan. This is much more inspired So we dont really know anything about the real players and we kind of didnt want to. In real life, the Phoenix Police Department led the investigation with the assistance of the FBI. The amount covered all of P&G's losses, for the fake coupons as well as extra manpower needed to deal with the issue. Procter & Gamble $1,288,682 in reimbursement. Queenpins (2021) - IMDb [8], In June 2021, Showtime and Paramount+ acquired U.S. pay TV and streaming rights to the film for about $20 million. And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? Queenpins (2021) Rated R for language throughout. 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. [9], Other box office grosses include Russia ($326,012), Ukraine ($221,109), But I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. The three real-life Coupon Queens carried out their counterfeit operation in Phoenix, Arizona where they lived. 'Sometimes I would come out with three carts of groceries.'. In July of 2012, police raided Ramirez's home andseized more than $25 million worth of fake coupons. 'They're buying bunches, and they're redeeming them in bunches.'. Queenpins' cast of characters also includes familiar faces like Bebe Rexha, Vince Vaughn, and Joel McHale in supporting roles. Herreal-life counterpart isRobin Ramirez, who police considered the ringleader of the criminal operation. The other queenpin is Connie's neighbor and close friend JoJo (Howell-Baptiste), who was a victim of identity theft that ruined her credit and her ability to apply for jobs. [1] It was released on September 10, 2021. And thats why they make excuses, he said. It's unclear if their real-life counterparts,Ramirez, Fountain, and Johnson, had such charitable aspirations when they started their illicitenterprise. Her next acting roleisfor the movie Confess, Fletch. 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. The story actually began more than a decade ago, when the women started selling their coupons online. We just wanted to create our own characters.. This installment focuses on the true story behind the crime comedy Queenpins. Credit: Courtesy STX Films. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to clean the money theyve made from selling coupons. And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. Ramirez pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, counterfeiting and fraud. They were charged with counterfeiting, forgery, operating an illegal enterprise, money laundering, and other violations. This happened after various companies that had been impacted by the bogus coupons hired private investigators to uncover the origins of the coupons. The Arizona coupon ring's leader, Robin Ramirez, rented an aircraft hangar to store her cars, 40-foot speedboat, luxury RV, and various off-road toys. Because they arent exactly hardened criminals, they think that the money theyve made through their shell company has to be laundered, so they bought all these high priced items with the intent to just immediately resell them. 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. When Connie discovers that a complaint letter about stale cereal earned her a coupon for a free box, it's a short road to finding a $2 an hour employee at the Mexico coupon printing plant (moved from the US to save money) who is willing to send them extras. Ame hissed, "Getting partnered with someone like me. ', 'These people aren't buying a few coupons from this site,' Officer James Holmes added. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. The vehicles included a custom Corvette that was worth over $150,000. Dayo OkeniyiasEarl - Okeniyi plays Earl, who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, which results in a hilarious interrogation scene with Ken and Simon. Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha makes her feature film debut in the Queenpins movie. She has also worked on soundtracks for movies like Abominable and, most recently, He's All That. Included in the seizures were $25,000,000 worth of fake coupons, 22 assault weapons, and 21 vehicles including a 40 foot boat. Kirby Howell-Baptiste co-stars as JoJo Johnson, an aspiring YouTube vlogger and Connie's partner in crime.