A court has heard that an alleged fraudster called “the Con Queen of Hollywood” may find sharing a cell in an American prison “stressful.”
Hargobind Tahilramani, an Indonesian man aged 42, is wanted in the United States for a $1.5 million fraud and is resisting extradition from the United Kingdom.
Tahilramani allegedly duped Hollywood professionals out of enormous sums of money by acting as showbiz executives promising them movie agreements, including posing as Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight producers.
42-year-old Hargobind Tahilramani allegedly perpetrated a fraud in which he impersonated major film executives.
According to reports, the so-called “catfish” also copied Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy, former Sony film executive Amy Pascal, and former Paramount boss Sherry Lansing.
In another incident, Tahilramani impersonated Rupert Murdoch’s ex-wife Wendi Deng using a high-pitched voice to entice creatives into his plot.
He is charged with two counts of wire fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to conduct wire fraud, which carries a maximum prison sentence of twenty years.
Following a year-long investigation by the FBI, he was detained at a Manchester Aparthotel costing £60 per night on 26 November 2020.
Tahilramani, who is out gay and stated that he came to the United Kingdom to live in a “free society,” is presently being held at HMP Wandsworth and is fighting extradition to the United States.
Today, the psychiatrist who evaluated Tahilramani, Neil Greenberg, testified at the Westminster Magistrates Court.
Mr. Tahilramani’s representative, Ben Cooper, questioned Mr. Greenberg.
If this criminal were given a cellmate, might it be more detrimental to his mental health?
“It could go either way,” Mr. Greenberg answered.
Tahilramani is suspected of mimicking Wendi Deng, Rupert Murdoch’s ex-wife.
‘Occasionally his cellmates have been acceptable, and sometimes they have been quite disagreeable. This may be an additional source of stress.
“Can you foresee any challenges he may have while sharing a restricted space?”
Given that he has a mild personality disorder, he is likely to irritate or cause problems for whoever he is with; on balance, it is probable that it will be complicated, the psychiatrist answered.
There are numerous potential dangers. His roommate may find it tough to get along with him.
‘He could feel compelled to act out in order to convey his point. This is difficult to forecast without understanding the nature of the individual with whom he would be placed.
Mr. Cooper next questioned Mr. Greenberg on the possible relationship between Tahilramani and prison staff.
“Does that have the capacity to mitigate the psychological impact?”
If he had helpful, mental health-aware personnel, that would be protective. Change that to someone who is not interested in mental health, and it would not be supportive and would add to his stress.
Then, Mr. Cooper inquired of Mr. Greenberg how Tahilramani may fare in solitary prison.
Tahilramani opposes extradition to the United States because he wishes to be tried in the United Kingdom. A psychiatrist stated that sharing a cell in an American prison could be a cause of stress for him.
What is his capacity to deal with that regime?
That would be challenging for him.
However, Greenberg highlighted that it would be easier for him if he had activities to keep him occupied.
‘He likes textiles. If he had sufficient distractions, the risk would be reduced. But it would be challenging, there’s no doubt about it.’
On 6 October 2020, a grand jury in the Southern District of California indicted Tahilramani on eight counts.
On the first count, he is accused with conspiracy to conduct wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Two counts of wire fraud have the same maximum penalty.
Five counts of aggravated identity theft each carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
Psychiatrist Dr. Stuart Grassian, an expert on the psychological impacts of solitary confinement, testified earlier in the trial that Tahilramani will not be able to function in an American prison.
Dr. Grassian, testifying via live link, asked, “Will he be able to manage in the same manner as he has in Wandsworth? My response is no.
The hearing for extradition continues.