', 'These people aren't buying a few coupons from this site,' Officer James Holmes added. Queenpins - Chapter 1 - Elias_Pedro - Archive of Our Own 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. 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. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. The story actually began more than a decade ago, when the women started selling their coupons online. A judge sentenced Ramirez to twenty-four months in prison and seven years probation. They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). Being clever with coupons makes her feel like she is making a financial contribution. 'We were ordering hundreds of dollars in coupons every month,' one anonymous user toldKentuckys WPSD. Neither of them responded to requests for comment about their case, and how or whether they have managed to move on from it. Indeed, the movie is inspired by a true story, but just how closely does the film follow the events and people its based on? The Coupon Information Corporation got wind of the scheme, and brought it to the attention of investigators, which is how it eventually landed on the desk of Phoenix Police Sergeant David Lake. One account had more than $2 million dollars. 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). , updated Queenpins (2021) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb Authorities eventually traced Ramirezs activity back to 2007. 'Queenpins' Plot Summary 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. And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. Along with paying Procter & Gamble millions of dollars, Ramirez had to serve jail time. That's the psychological illogic of coupons, referred to in the movie as the "coupon high." According to Time magazine, they went undercover and purchased coupons as part of their effort to locate the source. Vaughn is also currently appearing in the series Curb Your Enthusiasm. After he retired from the force, he took what he had learned from this case and others like it to found the Center on Shadow Economics, which works to mitigate the economic impact of black market crimes like counterfeit couponing. "I am not spending money!" Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha makes her feature film debut in the Queenpins movie. And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. 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. Bud is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and an industry veteran. Others nabbed coupons for free pet food, diapers, and household goods from as many as 40 major manufacturers, including PepsiCo and Hershey. 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' true story is based on the couponing scam designed by three Arizona women: Robin Ramirez, Marilyn Johnson, and Amiko "Amy" Fountain. The three real-life Coupon Queens carried out their counterfeit operation in Phoenix, Arizona where they lived. David Lake, who was in charge of the coupon investigation at the Phoenix Police Department, "The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type stuff." 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. And why Bell and co-star Paul Walter Houser didnt talk to the real people behind the characters they play. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. Queenpins Cast & Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From After tracing the origins of the ring to Phoenix, the FBI then teamed up with local law enforcement to bust the group. Her sacrifices have never been appreciated and she has been overlooked by her husband Rick, an IRS senior audit specialist, her loved ones and the rest of society. The film's largely painful humor is informed by the mistaken belief that the main characters' criminal enterprise is inherently quirky. Aron and I were immediately drawn to the story and had to understand it more, Pullapilly said. Now, with their story back in the spotlight, theres no escaping it, even nearly ten years later. She has previously appeared with Bell on Bad Moms, buther claim to fame has been in screenwriting. "[11] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 45 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Postal Inspector lead the investigation into their activities, encountering multiple humorous setbacks along the way. Ramirez pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, counterfeiting and fraud. And thats why they make excuses, he said. 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. 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. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to clean the money theyve made from selling coupons. Credit: Courtesy STX Films. Will DiGravio is a Brooklyn-based critic, researcher, and video essayist, who has been a contributor at Film School Rejects since 2018. Just to make him more sympathetic, in addition to the $2 an hour, he has a pregnant wife who also works at the factory. 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. Savvy Shopper Site had a few other suspicious requirements. Ramirez, the ringleader, was the only one sentenced to prison time two years while her counterparts got probation. Review: Scamming Audiences with Sophomoric Humor and Dubious Politics. It appeared the women were making so much money, they werent even sure how to spend it all. FREE FIRE TOP 3 GAME REAL CHARACTER para SAMSUNG A3,A5,A6 A7,J2,J5,J7,S5,S6 S7,S9,A10,A20 A30,A50 Like a coupon high, the fun of this movie does not last. They interview people from grocery stores that the ladies frequent, almost all of whom recognize Connie due to her constantly irritating coupon usage, even successfully linking her to the "Savvy Super Saver" website as she uses its slogan while shopping. 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. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. For example, a person could use a $25 coupon to purchase a $15 bag of dog food and receive the difference in cash. They contact the hacker who stole JoJos identity, Tempe Tina, and are taken to her secret location, where she instructs the pair on how to conceal their operation and secure their money, suggesting they use JoJos cosmetics brand Back 2 Black to disguise their coupon business. Ken: Yeah no, even if I wanted to switch, I think it's more important that your daughter learn a valuable lesson. In July 2012, police in Phoenix, Arizona arrested three women in a coupon scam that cost manufacturers roughly $40 million. Analysts Predict More Deals in the Grocery Store This Year, Savings Apps Are All the Rage This One Most of All, Grocery Shoppers Shrug Off A Tumultuous Year, Couponer Is Dealt A Final Setback In Decade-Old Dispute. He also doesn't work closely with the FBI. MSN Article Your email address will not be published. Goodbye coupons, hello high prices. Follow and/or unfollow him on Twitter. But thats just Connie and Jojo. Couponing goes criminal in the new trailer for Queenpins. But lets be honest: its hard to feel too sorry for the corporations in this instance. 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). The ring used a series of twelve different bank accounts to house their money. Okeniyi appeared in The Hunger Games and Run Sweetheart Run, and his next role is in Greek Freak. 'Its like Robin Hood,' Howell-Baptiste's character says in the trailer, summing up the coupon fraud plan. Counterfeit Coupon Ringleader Pleads Guilty - Coupons in the News, Woman spends $600 on SavvyShopperSite.com fake coupons - Jill Cataldo. Now that theyve done their time and are working to pay off their debt, the women appear to be trying to put the incident behind them. Here's the cast and character guide and the real-life counterparts. The vehicles included a custom Corvette that was worth over $150,000. But I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. 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. I was very excited when I saw on the front page of the script that was based on a true story. "[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 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 But its funny that its gotten so much attention, Lake said. As the Time article notes, couponing became popular not only in the wake of reality television shows like TLCs Extreme Couponing but also due to the economic reality in the wake of the Great Recession. For the most part, yes. Is Queenpins on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, or Prime? Shecan next be seen in the indie film Silent Night and later inThe Sandman TV series. Fountain and Johnson were both sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a single count of counterfeiting. The character mainly functions to forward the plot and as the other half of the "buddy-cop" duo with Ken Miller (Paul Walter Hauser). 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. She was the only one of the three to receive jail time. Bell has extensive experience in Broadway, television, and film, leading successful TV series like Veronica Mars and The Good Place. While the characters in Queenpins are fictional, the crime they came up with is the real deal. They enjoy their newfound wealth, only to have their criminal enterprise crumble when they are investigated, raided, and arrested. The fake coupon game isnt a joke. 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. You Are Reading :Queenpins Cast And Character Guide Where You Know The Actors From. The story of the three womens 2012 arrests for coupon fraud is back in the news, as the major motion picture they inspired is set to open in theaters this Friday. The duo bond on their mission, with Simon sympathizing with Ken's unwavering devotion. [3] In July 2020, it was announced Paul Walter Hauser and Vince Vaughn had joined the cast of the film. The other two women pleaded guilty to a single charge of counterfeiting. The coupons are being sent through the mail and the FBI does not take it seriouslybecause it's coupons. 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. 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.. The amount covered all of P&G's losses, for the fake coupons as well as extra manpower needed to deal with the issue. Paul Walter Hauser Got AEW References Into 'Queenpins' Film - Fightful I have never purchased coupons from a clipping service or an auction site." 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy she says. 'Queenpins' Review: Suburban Scammers Two cash-strapped neighbors devise a multimillion-dollar coupon swindle in this mildly entertaining comedy. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's - Yahoo! Credit: Courtesy STX Films "They're also some of the best writers I've ever worked with. Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste, playing the lead roles, are as spectacular as ever. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. 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. Ben Stiller serves as an executive producer under his Red Hour Productions banner. While it's hard to know how many customers knew they might be engaging in criminal activity, there were a few red flags that should have at least made them suspicious. Summary: Amelia Watson, a senior but loose cannon, problem child detective of City PD, has to prevent a war. 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. 'We gotta steal these coupons and sell them to families who really need them. In the movie, Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste play Connie and Jojo, a pair of best friends from Phoenix who love extreme couponing. His character represents the law enforcementin charge of tracking down the women responsible. Bell plays Connie, whose life is smaller and sadder than she expected, following her early success as a gold-medal-winning Olympic athlete (but in a low-profile event, race-walking). Included in the seizures were $25,000,000 worth of fake coupons, 22 assault weapons, and 21 vehicles including a 40 foot boat. Whatever Happened to the Real-Life "Queenpins"? 'We used undercover and covert operations to make purchases and to identify the three suspects,' Holmes said. She is also known for her appearances in Killing Eve and Cruella. Then-forty-year-old Robin Ramirez led the group, which included Marilyn Johnson, then-fifty-four, and Amiko Amy Fountain, then-forty-two. And it seems like the makers of the movie share this sentiment. David Lake, who led the Phoenix Police Departments investigation, told KPHO at the time. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. Queenpins is Rexha's first major acting role. Tellingly, the changes to the details of the real law enforcement and private investigators make them less sympathetic. In February of 2013,Ramirez pleaded guilty to counterfeiting, fraud, and illegal control of an enterprise, though a forgery charge was dropped. 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. Her term of probation was recently extended for another five years, after she fell more than $4,000 behind in her restitution payments. 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. Capitalism always knows how to win. Although both women also had to financially reimburse P&G, they did not have to serve jail time for their part in the scheme. It's unclear if their real-life counterparts,Ramirez, Fountain, and Johnson, had such charitable aspirations when they started their illicitenterprise. Except that these ladies sold unauthorized or forged coupons for a fraction of the face value to consumers who used them to get lots and lots of stuff without paying for it. Real Stories is an ongoing column about the true stories behind movies and TV shows. 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. Ramirez, too, declined to respond to requests for comment. 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. Once there, buyers would have access to an array of high-dollar coupons. 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). 110 minutes Cast Kristen Bell Kirby Howell-Baptiste as JoJo Paul Walter Hauser Vince Vaughn Joel McHale Bebe Rexha as Tempe Tina Dayo Okeniyi Nick Cassavetes Michael Masini Paul Rust Eduardo Franco Marc Evan Jackson Lidia Porto Greta Oglesby Jack McBrayer Annie Mumolo Director Aron Gaudet They don't call it robbery; they prefer "removing" or "separating.". One local law enforcement official at the time told the news: The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. Kirby Howell-Baptiste co-stars as JoJo Johnson, an aspiring YouTube vlogger and Connie's partner in crime. Ramirez pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, counterfeiting and fraud. 'Queenpins': Here's the Real Story Behind Kristen Bell's Crime Comedy 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 After complaining about cereal gone stale, the pair receives dozens of freebies, inspiring them to hatch an illegal coupon club scheme. Watching "Queenpins" is like eating grocery store birthday cake. The film revolves around an ordinary suburban housewife's desire to forge her own path, which ultimately leads her to the world of scams. At the time of her arrest, investigators discovered Ramirez had four online accounts and 12 bank accounts. 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. It's very easy to say their words," says Kristen. Shedisplays considerable comedy chopsin films like Bad Momsand is also well-known for her role as Anna inDisney's Frozen franchise. Queenpins is a 2021 American comedy film written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. Hauser previouslyworked with Howell-Baptiste in Cruella and also appeared in I, Tonya. Law-enforcement authorities, manufacturers, and retailers advise against purchasing coupons. Dave Lake told CBS5 later. And the women wont be getting any windfall from Queenpins. No. It stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Paul Walter Hauser, Bebe Rexha, and Vince Vaughn. A look at what really happened with the characters of Andrew Dominiks 2007 Western epic. Related:Worth Cast & Character Guide: What The Real People Look Like. Ramirez pleaded guilty to counterfeiting, fraud, and illegal control of an enterprise. In real life, the FBI did get involved, along with the non-profit Coupon Information Center. 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. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. 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. This is much more inspired So we dont really know anything about the real players and we kind of didnt want to. The women sold their counterfeit coupons on various online sites, including eBay and their own website, SavvyShopperSite.com. The coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. Some of the coupon enthusiasts featured on the TLC show Extreme Couponing routinely purchased coupons from clipping services.In response to the Arizona coupon counterfeiting ring that inspired the Queenpins movie, the CIC's Bud Miller stated, "Coupon buyers expose themselves to the possibility of becoming involved with counterfeits, stolen property, or other criminal activities. 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."
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