Alleged 'Hollywood Con Queen' loses fight against extradition from UK to US

 

Hargobind Tahilramani, an Indonesian national, has been identified as the alleged "Hollywood Con Queen" for running an elaborate scam from 2013 to 2020. Over a period of seven years, Tahilramani reportedly posed as powerful female figures in the Hollywood film industry, impersonating executives like producers and casting agents. His goal was to lure aspiring actors, makeup artists, and others in the entertainment industry into traveling to Indonesia with false promises of work opportunities in big movie projects.

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Once there, his victims allegedly paid thousands of dollars in fake fees for services such as transportation, security, and accommodation   all under the impression they were part of a legitimate Hollywood production. In total, around 300 people are believed to have been defrauded, with losses amounting to approximately $1 million.

Tahilramani was eventually arrested in November 2020 at a hotel in Manchester, England, after years of investigation and global efforts to track him down. He now faces charges in the U.S. state of California, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. U.S. authorities have been pushing for his extradition to stand trial for these alleged crimes.

After his arrest, the U.K. government approved Tahilramani's extradition to the United States in 2023. However, he launched a legal challenge to block the extradition, citing concerns over his mental health and personal safety. His lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, argued before London’s High Court that sending Tahilramani to the U.S. would violate his human rights.

Tahilramani is a gay man who has also applied for asylum in the U.K. Fitzgerald claimed that his client could face violence in prison due to his sexuality and would likely be placed in solitary confinement for his protection. He warned that isolation could trigger suicidal thoughts because of Tahilramani’s mental health issues, presenting a serious risk to his well-being.

Despite these arguments, the High Court dismissed the appeal. Judge Derek Sweeting stated in his written judgment that the original court decision to approve the extradition was not wrong and could stand. The ruling effectively clears the way for Tahilramani to be sent to California to face justice in the U.S.

The decision marks the end of a lengthy legal battle in the U.K., although Tahilramani may still pursue further appeals or legal steps. His case has drawn international attention due to the bizarre nature of the alleged crimes, which involved voice manipulation, psychological trickery, and careful impersonations of Hollywood power figures.

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