Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast Hollywood Con Queen Exposed
Oct 29, 2025
Scott Johnson, an investigative journalist and author of The Hollywood Con Queen, delves into the bizarre case of a scam artist impersonating powerful Hollywood women. He shares the emotional fallout from one victim's life savings lost to a fake project and explains the psychological motivations behind the scam. With a thrilling account of how he tracked the scammer to Manchester and confronted them, Scott highlights the extensive investigative efforts and the criminal's chilling past, making for a gripping discussion on crime and deceit.
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Impersonation Scam Targeted Aspiring Creatives
- Scott Johnson found a large-scale impersonation scam targeting Hollywood creatives that sent victims to Indonesia for fake jobs.
- The operation targeted powerful female executives' identities to manipulate aspiring photographers, actors, and creatives.
Photographer Lost Life Savings Chasing A Fake Job
- A photographer lost $50–60k and months of his life chasing a fake Amy Pascal job in Indonesia.
- He returned emotionally wrecked, having lost savings earmarked for his child's medical care.
High Labor, Low Direct Profit
- Most victims lost relatively small amounts, but the scam's labor intensity came from maintaining constant contact and control over many people.
- The operation required 24/7 communication, repeated phone calls, and continual recruitment to sustain itself.
