‘It wasn’t really about the money’: the shocking story of Hollywood’s con queen

In hindsight, of course it was a set-up.

The messages that fell fairy dust-like into the inboxes of cinematographers and actors, makeup artists and security workers, came from the email addresses of top female Hollywood executives, women who probably communicated through layers of assistants when they weren’t being impersonated. The notes detailed work opportunities that were perfectly calibrated for the interests and CVs of the recipients, virtually all of whom were young, male and struggling to get a foothold in the industry.

The Skype calls that followed, with a mogul who insisted on using the camera off setting “for security reasons”, sealed the deal.