-Daily Mail. In 2012, investigators found millions of dollars worth in forged coupons. 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. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. She has previously appeared with Bell on Bad Moms, buther claim to fame has been in screenwriting. The Arizona coupon ring's leader, Robin Ramirez, and her accomplices, Marilyn Johnson and Amiko Fountain, were arrested in July of 2012. The three real-life Coupon Queens carried out their counterfeit operation in Phoenix, Arizona where they lived. Fountain and Johnson each pleaded guilty to one charge of counterfeiting. 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. 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. I just decided I really wanted to play the curmudgeon nature of the character. [1] It was released on September 10, 2021. Of course, the trailer also shows them later living in luxury and boarding private jets. And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. (67) 6.3 1 h 50 min 2021 X-Ray R. A suburban homemaker and her best friend turn a hobby into a multi-million-dollar counterfeit coupon caper. 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. Lets break it down. She suggestsmaking fake identities and multiple accounts to store their earnings. Coupon enthusiast Jill Cataldo warns, "Even though many places sell coupons online, you should never buy them. Vince Vaughnas Simon Kilmurry -Vince Vaughn plays Simon Kilmurry, a U.S. postal inspector who works with Ken to investigate the coupon scam. Written and directed byAron GaudetandGita Pullapilly, Queenpins is about two housewives who created a $40 million coupon scam. The REAL story behind Kristen Bell's upcoming movie Queenpins Queenpins. 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). Read about the latest trends in couponing, get some new coupon alerts and keep up with stories across the country and around the world that have to do with coupons, the companies that issue them and the consumers who use them. And they get a monthly reminder every time they make their latest restitution payment. [7], Principal photography began in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. FREE FIRE TOP 3 GAME REAL CHARACTER para SAMSUNG A3,A5,A6 A7,J2,J5,J7,S5,S6 S7,S9,A10,A20 A30,A50 Then-forty-year-old Robin Ramirez led the group, which included Marilyn Johnson, then-fifty-four, and Amiko Amy Fountain, then-forty-two. The pair are currently starring as crooked coupon buddies in the crime comedy "Queenpins," written and directed by husband-and-wife duo Aron. From writer-directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, the film stars Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Ba. According to KTAR News, a Phoenix radio station, the group focused on manufacturers coupons, which typically offer a free item or significant discount. 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. Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha makes her feature film debut in the Queenpins movie. 'Queenpins' Review: Suburban Scammers Two cash-strapped neighbors devise a multimillion-dollar coupon swindle in this mildly entertaining comedy. Postal Inspector lead the investigation into their activities, encountering multiple humorous setbacks along the way. Queenpins Cast & Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From The ringleader, Robin Ramirez, started selling bogus coupons as far back as 2007, and was eventually joined by accomplices Marilyn Johnson and Amiko Fountain. By mail. As one law enforcement official put it, these were not the fifty-cents-off coupons one might find in their mailbox. 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. 'Queenpins' Review: Coupon Clippers Go Rogue in a Sly Crime Satire 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. A look at the counterculture movement that became the religious right. 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. "You are spending money we don't have," her husband says, looking at what was once supposed to be a nursery, now converted into what looks like a grocery warehouse. Kristen Bell as Connie Kaminski and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as JoJo Johnson in QUEENPINS. Queenpins, directed and written by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, adapts a real-life story and presents it most humorously and entertainingly. 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 And it seems like the makers of the movie share this sentiment. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. And I just want to play the humanity of the guy while adding some comedic elements to him.. Shedisplays considerable comedy chopsin films like Bad Momsand is also well-known for her role as Anna inDisney's Frozen franchise. The only real-life individual you could say was better off after the case than before, is the man who cracked the case. Kristen Bell And Kirby Howell-Baptiste Run A Multi-Million Dollar Coupon Scam In The 'Queenpins' Trailer. On the case to bust them: a supermarkets loss-prevention officer and a US postal inspector, played by Paul Walter HauserandVince Vaughn, respectively. 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. 17:23 EST 23 Jul 2021 Yes, a bear actually did consumer millions of dollars worth of cocaine. Authorities also seized twenty-two assault weapons and twenty-one vehicles, including a forty-foot boat, in the raid. The duo bond on their mission, with Simon sympathizing with Ken's unwavering devotion. The comedy Queenpins is inspired by the largest coupon scam in U.S. history. Rexha's character helps Connie and JoJo evade the authorities, mainly by strengthening their internet security. At the time of her arrest, investigators discovered Ramirez had four online accounts and 12 bank accounts. The acting was solid, though the relatively unknown Paul Walter Hauser stole the movie. The comedy Queenpins features a talented cast coming together to tell a crazy true story. "We're talking about anywhere from $400 to $600 million in loss," said Officer James Holmes of the Phoenix Police Department. They joined forces with several other affected companies and hired private investigators to track the source of the fraudulent coupons. We dont want people to think they can do this, he said. See production, box office & company info. 'Its like Robin Hood,' Howell-Baptiste's character says in the trailer, summing up the coupon fraud plan. His filmography contains works such as Face/Off, The Astronaut's Wife, and The Hangover Part II, and he will next be appearing inThe Ogilvy Fortune. Queenpins is a 2021 American comedy film written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. They were ringleader Robin Ramirez (46 at the time of her arrest), Marilyn Johnson (62), and Amiko "Amy" Fountain (42). Bud played an instrumental role in taking down the three women who inspired the Queenpins movie.Unlike Bud Miller, Hauser's character doesn't work for the Coupon Information Corporation (a not-for-profit association of consumer product manufacturers dedicated to fighting coupon misredemption and fraud). [5] In October 2020, Bebe Rexha joined the cast of the film. Ken: Yeah no, even if I wanted to switch, I think it's more important that your daughter learn a valuable lesson. [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. The Phoenix Police Department conducted undercover operations in which they purchased the counterfeit coupons. Related:Free Guy Cast, Characters & All Cameos Guide. These are free item coupons,' Police Sgt. Ramirez, Fountain and Johnson are now having to live with what they did. It isvery pleasurable in the moment but likely to leave you feeling empty and a little queasy. 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. Queenpinshits theaters on September 10th and will be available to stream via Paramount+ on September 30th. The true story behind Queenpins reveals that the women bought them in bulk overseas and then posted them for sale on sites like eBay and their own website, SavvyShopperSite.com, which is now defunct. 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 coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. Carly Stern For Dailymail.com, Dax Shepard wishes wife Kristen Bell a happy 41st birthday: 'Here's wishing you another 100 years in the saddle', Conwoman, 60, accused of posing as gem expert to swap diamonds worth 4.2m for pebbles was caught on CCTV outside Mayfair jeweller Boodles the day before heist, court hears. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. Ramirez pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, counterfeiting and fraud. Whatever Happened to the Real-Life "Queenpins"? In researching the Queenpins true story, we learned that Procter & Gamble did an audit of their third-party coupon processors. After gathering sufficient evidence, Simon and Ken finally get agents to arrest the pair. She was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by seven years probation. I have never purchased coupons from a clipping service or an auction site." She is also known for her appearances in Killing Eve and Cruella. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to clean the money theyve made from selling coupons. They also seized more than $2 million in other assets, including 22 guns, cash, 21 vehicles, and a speed boat. Queenpins (2021) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb How Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste's Real-Life Friendship Led Like a coupon high, the fun of this movie does not last. 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. It appeared the women were making so much money, they werent even sure how to spend it all. It might have been more interesting to have lead police officer on the case a woman, as it was in the actual arrest. So will Robin Ramirez, Amiko Fountain and Marilyn Johnson be going to see Queenpins this weekend? Thats the type of money they had, Sgt. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. Here's the cast and character guide for Queenpins, along with comparisons to some of the characters' counterparts in real life. We're all looking for a loophole to find our joy and happiness in life." The story actually began more than a decade ago, when the women started selling their coupons online. Paul Walter Hauser Got AEW References Into 'Queenpins' Film - Fightful [9], Other box office grosses include Russia ($326,012), Ukraine ($221,109), Capitalism always knows how to win. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. Queenpins Cast And Character Guide: Where You Know The Actors From They also turned to the Coupon Information Corporation. Credit: Courtesy STX Films "They're also some of the best writers I've ever worked with. She portrays a fictional computer hacker named Tempe Tina, who helps the two main characters with their coupon scam. 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 I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for 287 days served, and seven years of supervised probation. [3] In July 2020, it was announced Paul Walter Hauser and Vince Vaughn had joined the cast of the film. Together, they set up a website called Savvy Super Saver, and eventually make millions of dollars in turn, costing multiple manufacturers millions of dollars. But I I sort of didnt approach it from an occupational standpoint, Houser told TheWrap. 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. A pair of housewives create a $40 million coupon scam. The filmmakers, Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, chose not to interview the real Queenpins for the movie. Is Queenpins on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, or Prime? Thecomedy Queenpins features a talented cast coming together to tell a crazy true story. Fountain and Johnson were both sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a single count of counterfeiting. Its that simple. These are free-item coupons," Phoenix Police Sgt. 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. Autumn has a Master of Arts in English from Northern Michigan University, where she also taught superhero-themed composition courses. 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 coupons were sold on a site called Savvy Shopper Site, to which interested parties had to be referred or invited directly to use. The ring used a series of twelve different bank accounts to house their money. 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. 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. What is the Japanese language plot outline for Queenpins (2021)? Yes. And in terms of the crime itself, Queenpins stayed pretty loyal. $100,000 x 40 is 4 million not 40 million. But the coupons were high-quality counterfeits. David Lake said. They were just two normal women, who felt taken advantage of by major corporations, and genuinely wanted to help other women and families who were struggling. Queenpins is Rexha's first major acting role. The Coupon Queens cheated as many as 40 major manufacturers (Business Insider). Queenpins' cast of characters also includes familiar faces like Bebe Rexha, Vince Vaughn, and Joel McHale in supporting roles. The True Story Behind the Movie Queenpins - Film School Rejects That would be too prestigious for Hauser's wannabe-cop Miller (Hauser borrows from his 2019 performance in Richard Jewell). 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. 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. Queenpins - Wikipedia These companies included Hershey, Procter & Gamble, and the Coupon Information Corporation. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. 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. MSN Article Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste on friendship, coupons - Los 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. Ramirez, Fountain and Johnson were charged and convicted for running their very own $40 million counterfeit coupon scheme, for which theyre still paying the price and may well be for the rest of their lives. Her next acting roleisfor the movie Confess, Fletch. 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. Slapstick . 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? After complaining about cereal gone stale, the pair receives dozens of freebies, inspiring them to hatch an illegal coupon club scheme. Had the system been better then, Lake said, we could have arrested probably another 50 people at least, who were buying hundreds of these coupons at a time and saying, I know theyre fake, but they work great.. The site's critics consensus reads: "Lowbrow humor and inconsistent storytelling undercut Queenpins' talented cast, making this coupon-clipping comedy a disappointingly poor bargain. The details were first revealed after a Tuesday morning raid in July 2012 by the Phoenix Arizona Police Department. 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. Kristen Bell stars as Connie Kaminski, a suburban housewife who just wants to find a solution for the debtburying her and her husband. On a message board, one fan raved about paying $7 for a mega pack of Pampers, with no max value meaning a shopper could get more than $50 worth of product free. Instead we have LPOKen Miller (Paul Walter Hauser), a dedicated but comically awkward stickler for the rules, who is eventuallyjoined by an investigator from the USPS (Vince Vaughn, nailing just the right mix of exhausted irritation and integrity). director of photography Film Editing by Kayla Emter . He also focused more on the character aspect of his part, rather than talking to anyone actually involved in loss prevention. The trail led to the Arizona coupon ring located in Phoenix. The opulence and the money was the equivalent of drug cartel-type of stuff. Fountain and Johnson both still live and work in the Phoenix area, in professions that have nothing to do with coupons. The bare-bones blueprint for the story is accurate; a small group of women make millions selling counterfeit coupons. 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. They were just two normal women, who felt taken advantage of by major corporations, and genuinely wanted to help other women and families who were struggling. Queenpins has arrived in theaters and on Paramount+, telling the story of the countrys largest counterfeit coupon scam. They don't call it robbery; they prefer "removing" or "separating.". I just decided I really wanted to play the curmudgeon nature of the character. "We're Robin Hood," the queenpins reassure themselves. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. No, not at all, Bell told TheWrap. 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. Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly's Queenpins concerns two Arizona suburbanites, Connie (Kristen Bell) and JoJo (Kirby . Her ancestry is Polish (mother) and German, English, Irish, and Scottish (father). Queenpins Writers Balance Comedic Tone with Real-Life Drama in Coupon Caper By: Shanee Edwards Kirby Howell-Baptiste as JoJo Johnson and Kristen Bell as Connie Kaminski in QUEENPINS. Included in the seizures were $25,000,000 worth of fake coupons, 22 assault weapons, and 21 vehicles including a 40 foot boat. 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. And where does that curmudgeonly frame come from? Ill go out on a limb here and predict that their once noble intentions go off the rails. Yes, like the grocery store coupons that come with the Sunday paper. They also come into possession of guns, cars and boats in an effort to. Some movies are based on true stories, some movies are inspired by true stories. David Lake, who led the Phoenix Police Departments investigation, told KPHOat the time. 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. Before playing Agent Park, he was inTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,Wreck-It Ralph, Bob's Burgers, and many others. -TIME, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media. A charge for forgery was dropped. Savvy Shopper Site had a few other suspicious requirements. In the movie, the women are fictionalized as Connie (Bell) and Jojo (Howell-Baptiste), who end up living much the same way. "These aren't 50-cent-off coupons. For diapers and toothpaste. Procter & Gamble $1,288,682 in reimbursement. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. I was very excited when I saw on the front page of the script that was based on a true story. Yes. But can you live with what you did?. I try to work with police chiefs, at the state and local level, to come up with ways of explaining how important protecting our business infrastructure is, he said. This includes forums and any public viewing areas or websites.". Mugshots of the real women behind Queenpins are displayed below. I went to the detectives and I said, we have what appears to be a large multimillion-dollar, maybe hundreds of millions of dollars, theft affecting over 240 victims, the now-retired Lake told Coupons in the News. But all were ordered to pay nearly $1.3 million in restitution to Procter & Gamble, just one of the many manufacturers whose coupons they counterfeited and sold. A real disc jockey inspired Robin Williams classic character. Credit: Courtesy STX Films. 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. 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.

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