- 2 days ago
In Mumbai Conor Woodman experiences the mother of all taxi scams minutes after his arrival from the airport. Conor is then approached by a woman who says she can make him a Bollywood star.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00They're the world's greatest cities. Famous for their culture and beauty.
00:06But there's something else waiting in the shadows.
00:09The scammers, the hustlers, the thieves.
00:12And they're all looking for tourists to con.
00:15State against the what? Russian roulette. Are you joking me?
00:19I'm Connor Woodman and in Scam City I set myself up as bait.
00:23This is like being kidnapped.
00:25A willing victim to be fleeced.
00:27I'll catch the scammers in the act.
00:30You know where my wallet is. I know, yeah.
00:31And reveal the tricks of the trade.
00:33Sorry, I'm not talking about that.
00:35Because why? It's too dangerous?
00:36And I'll expose them face to face.
00:39We are filming you scamming me.
00:41Scam City. I get scammed so you don't have to.
00:57I'm in Mumbai, India's biggest city.
01:03It's the country's business and entertainment capital and home to the renowned Bollywood film industry.
01:12There's big money here and lots of tourists.
01:16It's a perfect breeding ground for scammers.
01:18But I've got a problem.
01:24My apartment has been gate crashed.
01:28What do we have to do to make this go away, Tony?
01:31Smile, fucking nicely.
01:33Give him some money in that thing.
01:35It's all getting a bit out of hand.
01:38Come on, come on.
01:40OK, OK, OK, OK, OK.
01:41Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, come on.
01:42OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK.
01:51Arriving at Mumbai Airport, there's no time to waste.
01:55The crew have told me the scams here can start from the moment you get off the plane.
02:00They've identified a gang of dodgy cab drivers, and I'll be filming on my own hidden camera.
02:07The crew are outside, rigged up with cameras,
02:09so we should be in a good position to capture anything untoward.
02:14In the arrivals hall, I immediately spot George, our director.
02:17How you doing, man?
02:18He'll pose as my tourist buddy and be secretly filming too.
02:25Paxi, OK, we want to go to the Strand Hotel.
02:29Do you know what that is?
02:31Yeah? OK.
02:36We do something seasoned travellers never do,
02:38take the most insistent driver.
02:41Strand Hotel, my friend.
02:44My head, my hotel.
02:45Strand Hotel.
02:45Yeah.
02:48I'm told this journey should take less than an hour,
02:51which is a relief, since I've just got off a 10-hour flight,
02:54it's boiling hot, and there's no air con.
02:59We haven't gone very far,
03:01when without me asking him to, the driver pulls over.
03:05Hi, sir, welcome to India. Good morning, sir.
03:06Oh, hello, sir.
03:07Hi, sir, we're going to hug, sir.
03:10What are you after, mate?
03:11Yeah, sir.
03:11You're getting a ride with us.
03:13Thank you, sir.
03:15I've got no idea who this man is.
03:18Perhaps he wants to share the taxi fare.
03:20You're first time coming in India, sir?
03:22First time coming in India, yeah, yeah.
03:24Okay, so, sir, this is the RTO form.
03:27Sorry, what's this?
03:28RTO form, you want to fill up.
03:30RTO, sir?
03:31Road Transport Corporation.
03:33What form?
03:34You are coming in first time in India.
03:36Okay.
03:37So, you fill up this form and we'll give to RTO officers.
03:41Well, so I have to fill in a form just to drive in a taxi?
03:43Yes.
03:44Do you have a job title?
03:46Yeah.
03:46What is it?
03:47I am the travel agent.
03:48Oh, okay, right.
03:50One of the actors, Brad Pitt, Angelina, Brad Pitt, they are coming.
03:54I am giving hotel.
03:56So, you're Brad Pitt's travel agent?
03:57Yeah, yeah, yeah.
03:58What's he like?
03:59Very good, man.
04:00Very good.
04:01You like him?
04:01Very good.
04:02If you want to go to hotel, I have some hotels.
04:06Hold on.
04:06I've already booked this hotel.
04:08Okay.
04:09Is he quite clear we're going to the Strand Hotel?
04:12Because I wasn't sure about his English before.
04:14All roads are blocked.
04:16So, we are going another road.
04:17Oh, he knows a different way.
04:20It's a different way, but a good way.
04:24So, sir, what are you feeling?
04:27I'm feeling a bit confused as to who you are.
04:29Why, sir?
04:30Why are you confused?
04:31I am with you.
04:32Always I am with you, sir.
04:34I know you're with me.
04:35Don't worry, sir.
04:35Don't worry.
04:36That's why I'm confused.
04:37Don't worry, sir.
04:38You are giving me some tips, sir.
04:40What for?
04:41You are giving me some tips, sir.
04:42Are you, sir?
04:43What am I giving you a tip for?
04:44Sir, I've got no idea these bogeys.
04:47I've just got in my taxi.
04:49It made me fill out a form that's clearly not an official form.
04:53Tip, tip, tip.
04:54You know, it wants a tip.
04:56One thing is clear.
04:58Form or no form, he wants my cash.
05:01Sir, sir, this is the RTO forms of money you give me, sir.
05:0511,236.
05:06But look, do I not give this to the road traffic officer directly?
05:09Where you found traffic officer?
05:11If I don't know where he is and he's not going to take money from me, why do I need to care?
05:15If you don't give me, myself paying.
05:18Why are you paying?
05:19Because I am the travel agent.
05:21But you're not my travel agent.
05:23Where are we now?
05:24We are going to the hotel.
05:25On the way.
05:26This doesn't look like where my hotel is.
05:29Very good road.
05:30Yeah.
05:30It doesn't look like a good road.
05:33It's like the back of the yacht.
05:35Who are these dudes?
05:37What is this?
05:39We make another unexpected stop.
05:41This time, a roadblock.
05:43The travel agent gets out to investigate.
05:47Sir, there is some problem.
05:49We are saying you are not going through this road.
05:52Why?
05:53Sir, this is the religious thing, sir.
05:55So we have to go back that way then?
05:57Sir, you are not going through this side.
05:59No, this is one way.
06:02This is a taxi ride from hell.
06:04Or to hell.
06:06This is the main pandemic.
06:07Can we come through?
06:09No.
06:10Sir, if you want to go, he's saying you pay 51,000 rupees, then you go.
06:1851,000 rupees?
06:19It's like $1,000 to go through that.
06:22No, sir.
06:23This is looking.
06:24I'm sure there's plenty of genuine religious practice in India, but I'm a little sceptical
06:31about this.
06:34Meanwhile, the travel agent seems to be practising his Bollywood dance routines.
06:38What's he doing now?
06:40He's dancing around.
06:53What's he doing?
06:54Pay money and sir, we will go hotel.
06:56This is like being kidnapped.
06:57Oh, sir, I am with you.
06:58Why are you kidnapped?
06:59Because you're holding me here in this car and now you're trying to extort $1,000 out
07:03of me to get me through here.
07:04Please stay.
07:06Or what?
07:06What are you going to do?
07:07Are you going to harm me?
07:07Are you going to injure me?
07:08Sir, please pay no.
07:09We are going, sir.
07:10Very hot.
07:11Head is?
07:12Yeah, my head is as well.
07:13My head is sitting, sir.
07:15$1,200.
07:16I'm not going to give you $1,200.
07:18What are you talking about?
07:19You don't know me.
07:20For what?
07:21What am I getting?
07:22This is a kidnap and I'm haggling with you over the price of my ransom.
07:26No, no, you're not kidnapped, sir.
07:28I'm a traveller agent, sir.
07:30This is ridiculous.
07:32This is a ridiculous situation.
07:33I'll tell you what.
07:34$40.
07:36They asked for $1,200.
07:38I give them £40, $60.
07:40Oh, my God, it's so hot.
07:42I'm hot.
07:43I'm tired.
07:44I'm in the middle of God knows where and I'm desperate to get to my hotel.
07:55Oh, look at that.
07:56The religious festival just ends.
08:07I've now been in this taxi for almost two hours.
08:10And I think I know why we're getting nowhere fast.
08:17I'm starting to question you.
08:21Sir, no question.
08:23If you have any problem, this question is my problem, sir.
08:26My problem is just you.
08:28You're my problem.
08:29You're my problem.
08:31No, sir, why?
08:31I was fine until I met you.
08:33I'm taking not a single rupee from you if you want to give me some tip.
08:38What on earth would I give you a tip for?
08:41It's because, sir, I am your guide, sir.
08:43You're my guide to what?
08:45The highway?
08:46You're the worst guide ever.
08:49Sir, let's see.
08:50Maybe he's taken my criticism to heart because all of a sudden he slips into tour guide mode.
08:57What are you showing me?
09:06What are you pointing at?
09:08I'm very good looking.
09:11No, that's not a view.
09:12Are you out of your mind?
09:14I have so many problems.
09:15Oh, don't start crying.
09:17Sir, I have so many problems.
09:19Oh, my God.
09:20I have so many problems, sir.
09:22Please give me.
09:23You have lots of problems.
09:24I can see that.
09:28The taxi ride is endless.
09:31It's nearly two and a half hours.
09:35Which feels even longer when you're roasting in 40 degree heat inside a vehicle with no air conditioning.
09:42And then we reach a hotel in the middle of nowhere.
09:47This is the Sui Bellis.
09:49Yeah, but I asked for the Strand Hotel.
09:51This is your hotel, sir.
09:52It's obviously not my hotel.
09:54Which bit of that hotel says Strand Hotel?
09:59That's the final straw.
10:01They haven't even brought me to my pre-booked hotel.
10:04My guess is that if I check into this one, then the travel agent gets a juicy commission.
10:09It's definitely a scam and it's time for some straight talking.
10:14Okay, listen.
10:15I haven't been completely honest with you.
10:17This is not my first time in India.
10:18I'm interested in what you're doing because what you're doing is a scam.
10:21You're playing all the roles.
10:24Working with other people is interesting.
10:26He's asking for an incredible $200 for the journey and then something else gets his attention.
10:42You're cheating on me, sir.
10:43Huh?
10:45Sir, what is this?
10:47That's what?
10:48My coat.
10:50Sir, you are cheating me.
10:52How am I cheating you?
10:53You are cheating me.
10:54I saw you have hidden camera.
10:58Yeah?
10:59I've been filming you.
10:59Yeah, I saw.
11:00Yeah.
11:00No, no, no, no.
11:01This is recording camera.
11:03Yeah.
11:04You are cheating me.
11:05I'm cheating you.
11:06Yeah, yeah, yeah.
11:07You are cheating me.
11:08You're cheating me and I've filmed you cheating me and now I just want you to explain it to
11:12me on camera how you cheated me.
11:14You are cheating me.
11:15We are filming you scamming me.
11:17No, no, you are scamming me, sir.
11:19I'm filming your scam.
11:20No, no, no, you have come on.
11:21Now we know, so why not explain?
11:23No, no, you have come on.
11:25The travel agent realises his whole scam has been caught on camera, but it still takes
11:3115 minutes of hard persuasion to get him to talk to me.
11:41Are you really a travel agent?
11:43Can you organise tours?
11:45No, no, I'm not a travel agent.
11:46No, no.
11:46So you knew the people that stopped us in the street?
11:53And the RTO form?
11:55No, no.
11:56This is...
11:57There's no RTO.
11:58There's no RTO.
11:59And the real fare for a taxi from the airport?
12:02300 rupees Indian.
12:03300 rupees?
12:04Yeah.
12:05But you were going to charge me at 11,000.
12:06Yeah.
12:07So is that your tactic then?
12:09Is to grind people down, make them more and more tired?
12:13That people just say, oh, okay, fine.
12:15Take it.
12:16Yes.
12:17That's why we wait.
12:18We get tired and we get tired of ourself.
12:22And are you always thinking of new ideas?
12:24You talk a lot.
12:25You like talking a lot.
12:26Yeah, I like this type of work.
12:27What do you like about it?
12:28Because it's making money.
12:29Did you really meet Brad Pitt?
12:30No.
12:31Do you know what?
12:32I didn't really think you had met Brad Pitt.
12:33I thought maybe that was a lie.
12:34I'm in a nice air conditioned taxi and heading back to my hotel after what was the mother
12:36of all taxi scams.
12:37I've seen a few in my time but nothing like that.
12:38There were times it was like a Bollywood movie.
12:39There were times it was like a Bollywood movie.
12:40It started off as a bit of a comedy.
12:41It started off as a bit of a comedy.
12:42and ended up as a proper horror movie.
12:43It was a comedy movie.
12:44And the film.
12:45It was like a comedy movie.
12:46A comedy movie.
12:47And the film.
12:48It was a comedy movie so that everybody can't see it.
12:49It's like a movie.
12:50It could be.
12:51It could be.
12:52It could have been a comedy movie.
12:53I'm in a nice air-conditioned taxi and heading back to my hotel after what was the mother
13:02of all taxi scams, I've seen a few in my time but nothing like that, there were times it
13:06was like a Bollywood movie, started off as a bit of a comedy, ended up as a proper horror
13:12show.
13:23After that taxi ride from hell, it's actually a relief to be on foot again.
13:34I'm heading out to Kalaba Causeway in Mumbai's city centre.
13:39This is where many visitors come to buy souvenirs and see some of the city's most renowned sights.
13:47So I'm going to get my hidden cameras ready and stroll around like a typical tourist.
13:56Let's see if I can attract any scams.
14:10As I browse the market stalls, a book for sale catches my eye.
14:14I have that one there, good one, this, the scam, real one, real one sir, not love.
14:26How much this one?
14:27Two for 600.
14:28Two for 600.
14:29Two for 600.
14:30Okay.
14:31Thank you sir.
14:32Bye.
14:33Bye.
14:34This is a little book that I bought at the market here, Life of Pi turned into a
14:44major movie.
14:45Once you have a look inside it, you start to see why it's so cheap.
14:51It's a photocopy on really cheap paper.
14:56The irony being that the one that's called the scam is actually a genuine book.
15:02The other one is a copy.
15:09I'm not really here to go shopping, but then I spot something that I just have to buy.
15:19The largest balloon I've ever seen.
15:24How much?
15:2550 rubies.
15:2650 rubies?
15:27Yeah, I'll take one.
15:28Package down.
15:29Just one, it's so big and one will do me.
15:31Take the bag.
15:32Okay, great.
15:34Hang on a second.
15:35Hang on a second.
15:36How does that go that big?
15:38I said one for these.
15:39Look at this.
15:40How do I get one of these?
15:41A big one, no.
15:42No.
15:43Just promotion.
15:44Advertising.
15:45That's a little scam, isn't it?
15:46So he's walking around with a big balloon.
15:47I said, can I buy a big balloon?
15:48He said, yeah, no problem.
15:4950 rubies.
15:50So I bought one.
15:51In fact, he gave me a whole packet for 100 rubies.
15:53I thought, well, it's a brilliant day.
15:54How does that go that big?
15:55How does that go that big?
15:56I said one for these.
15:57Look at this.
15:58How do I get one of these?
15:59How do I get one of these?
16:00No.
16:01How do I get one of these?
16:02No.
16:03No.
16:04Just promotion.
16:05In fact, he gave me a whole packet for 100 rubies.
16:07I thought, well, it's a brilliant deal.
16:09And then, look, blow it up.
16:16What you actually get is a small balloon.
16:20I'll be now.
16:28In India's biggest city, there's got to be bigger scams than this.
16:35There are billboards everywhere advertising the latest Bollywood movies.
16:41And it gives me an idea of where I should go next to look for scams.
16:46Well, this is the place all the guidebooks say that Bollywood scouts turn up looking for
16:50tourists to put in their movies.
16:51I'm going to go in there with my hidden camera on and see whether I attract any attention.
16:55I'm going to go in there.
16:56I'm going to go in there.
16:57I'm going to go in there.
16:58This area is a popular spot for Western tourists.
17:02And I'm guessing many of them would jump at the chance to be in a Bollywood movie.
17:08But where there's tourists, there's bound to be scammers.
17:14I walk around aimlessly for a while.
17:19And then…
17:20Sweet.
17:21Hi there.
17:22Hi.
17:23You're an actor.
17:24Am I an actor?
17:25Yes.
17:26Oh, no, I'm not.
17:27You can be.
17:28Really?
17:29I'm not kidding.
17:30My name is Molly Kapoor.
17:31Molly.
17:32Yes, and I'm a casting director.
17:33And it's my job to look for Talbot.
17:35Yes.
17:36Really?
17:37Yeah, you have a minute.
17:38Can we have a coffee somewhere?
17:40And I have a very interesting preposition for you.
17:43Yeah, yeah, we'll have a coffee, yeah.
17:44Come, come, let's see.
17:45We'll get.
17:46Okay.
17:47See you.
17:49Can getting spotted really be as easy as this?
17:52I guess I'll find out.
17:58Molly takes me into Leopold's, a well-known restaurant on the Colaba Causeway.
18:03So, I'm a casting director, and they're doing this film.
18:08And I was in the vicinity to find someone I feel fits the bill.
18:13We need a foreigner around mid-thirties.
18:16Are you up for it?
18:17This is one of the most random things that's ever happened to me in my life.
18:20Life is full of random movies.
18:22We'll see.
18:23It's a great part.
18:24And it's a ten-day shoot, and you will get paid.
18:27How much?
18:28Around £300 a day.
18:30£300 a day?
18:32Yes.
18:33Wow, £200.
18:34That needs to be ten days.
18:35Yes.
18:36There's this huge, huge money involved.
18:38My shoot is going to start tomorrow, so I need to fix this today.
18:42You have to make up your mind very quickly.
18:45Okay, why not?
18:46Why not?
18:47Why not?
18:48Give me a high five.
18:49Why not?
18:50Have you shot a portfolio?
18:52No.
18:53No, of course not.
18:54Because I will need to send your pictures to my director.
18:57Can I take them on my iPhone and email them to you?
18:59No, no, no.
19:00That won't work at all.
19:01It's a professional setup we are talking about.
19:03They're going to pay you.
19:04Okay, we can do something.
19:06We can quickly go and find a place where we can throw the portfolio for.
19:10Okay.
19:11Well, we could use my hotel.
19:12That's nice.
19:13Wow.
19:14That's brilliant.
19:15But we will need a photographer, and none of them will do it for free.
19:18Okay.
19:19So are you willing to shell out some money?
19:20How much would it be to take?
19:21Around £500.
19:22Yes.
19:23Wow.
19:24You're talking about professional portfolio here.
19:27And you're going to earn that money in less than two days.
19:33£500 is $750.
19:36Serious money.
19:37But she tells me I'm going to make four and a half thousand bucks.
19:41So that's a good deal.
19:43It seems a little too good to be true.
19:45But I'm going to play along and see where we end up.
19:49Can you do four?
19:50I think four he will agree.
19:52Okay.
19:53I'm up for this.
19:54It's not every day I get asked to be in a major movie.
19:56No, so breaks don't happen like that.
19:58You're the chosen one.
20:03I arrange to meet Molly in an hour's time back at my hotel.
20:06She'll bring a photographer who she says will do my Bollywood portfolio for $600.
20:12Molly says she knows I'm going to be a Bollywoods is that she's the one being filmed.
20:19As soon as I get back to the hotel, I tell the crew to start setting up in concealed positions.
20:28Molly and her photographer may not be shooting straight, but our cameras will be.
20:33An hour later, I get a call to say I have two guests waiting in reception.
20:39Hi.
20:40How are you?
20:41What's your name?
20:42Aditya.
20:43I'm Bob.
20:44Bob.
20:45Adi.
20:46Connor.
20:47I'm Connor.
20:48Yeah, Connor.
20:49My photo shoot is ready to begin, but guess what?
20:54Molly has just remembered something.
20:56Oh, my God.
20:57Oh, my God.
20:58Oh, my God.
20:59Okay.
21:00Oh, I forgot one thing.
21:02Just sit.
21:03See, you're not an actor, of course.
21:05No.
21:06And so for every actor, there is an association.
21:11And if you're acting on a set, you have to have that card.
21:15Okay.
21:16So we will have to get your card made quickly, but it will cost some money.
21:20How much?
21:21It will cost you around £300.
21:23But we need the card, unless you can't shoot tomorrow.
21:26Okay.
21:27So you're definitely in the movie tomorrow.
21:28Yes, yes, you are in the movie tomorrow.
21:29100%?
21:30Of course.
21:31You don't have to worry about that, but we have to pay for the union thing.
21:36Okay.
21:37$450 for an actor's permit card.
21:41If this is a scam, then she's now playing me for over a grand.
21:50Oh, wow.
21:51I like this.
21:53No, you're doing one in the pool.
21:55Okay.
21:56Okay.
21:57Wow.
21:58This is going well.
21:59And Molly is my biggest fan.
22:02I like it.
22:03You're a one star.
22:04My god.
22:05You look so good.
22:06Whatever you wear.
22:07Or you not wear.
22:08That's your mum.
22:09Come, my actor.
22:10Let's do another shot.
22:11Swim into the pool.
22:19Some bad boy poses.
22:24Cool.
22:25You got the shot?
22:26The more the merrier.
22:27Should we just take a look at the picture inside?
22:29Yeah.
22:32Oh, I like this.
22:33I like this.
22:34I like this.
22:35Who knows?
22:36He will get the next Superman movie.
22:37I have to quickly rush back.
22:38I have to show these pictures because I have to get your card made.
22:43That's my job when I'm really getting paid.
22:46So, what about the payments?
22:48I hand over the money for my portfolio shots and my actor's card, and Molly says she'll give
22:53them to me tomorrow, when we meet.
22:56Yes.
22:57Cool.
22:58I'll see you tomorrow at 10.
22:59Tomorrow at 10.
23:00I'll give you your card.
23:01Everything will get made.
23:02So, Leopold's at 10 o'clock?
23:05Yes.
23:06Cool.
23:07I'll see you guys then.
23:08Hello.
23:09Bye.
23:10Bye.
23:11See you later.
23:12Bye.
23:13Bye.
23:14I've just spent over a thousand dollars on some photos and an actor's union card.
23:24Tomorrow, I'll find out if it's enough to get me on the silver screen.
23:28Mumbai really comes alive at night.
23:41And there's plenty to see after dark.
23:48But I've only got one thing on my mind.
23:50To go to the nearest cinema, watch a Bollywood movie and start getting into character for
23:56my big debut.
24:12The following morning I go to meet Molly as arranged for my first day acting in a Bollywood
24:17movie.
24:18I've got to admit I'm feeling a little bit nervous in case I actually do end up on a big
24:24film set today.
24:31But 45 minutes later, my Bollywood butterflies are gone, replaced by that familiar feeling.
24:41Sure enough, when I try ringing Molly's cell phone, it goes straight to voicemail.
24:47Well, it's nearly ten to eleven, no sign of Molly and I can't reach her on the phone.
24:56It looks like I've been well and truly taken for a ride.
24:58I'm down, what, nearly a thousand bucks?
25:00It looks like I'm going to have to wait a little bit longer to see my name up in lights.
25:06I spend the next few hours looking around the area, hoping to spot Molly, but not because
25:20I'm dreaming about Bollywood.
25:23She's stung me for a thousand bucks and if I could track her down, she could spill the
25:28beans on what's a very elaborate scam.
25:38Bollywood's not the only business in town.
25:40There's also a big market in spiritual guidance.
25:43I'm going to see one of Mumbai's established gurus.
25:47My contacts here have given me an address, but will it be a chance to enlighten my spirit,
25:54or just lighten my pockets?
25:56Okay?
25:57Let's go.
25:58Let's go.
25:59Hello, sir.
26:03The main reason that I'm here is because I want to be successful in Bollywood.
26:13Because there is a girl that I want to impress.
26:16I want to impress her.
26:17I want to impress her family.
26:18I want to win her heart.
26:20And do you think you can move this obstacle from my path?
26:30In 2013, we have done everything.
26:34We will take the magic on it.
26:37We will do it.
26:39And he's going to try and gauge what's wrong with you.
26:43So he's going to do some stuff.
26:44Are you okay with that?
26:45Yes, of course.
26:46So what can we do?
26:47Just hold on very tight.
27:12Or maybe it's just the old ketchup-in-the-coconut trick.
27:37I'm not entirely sure what I'm supposed to make of all this.
27:51I'll play along and see what he comes up with next.
28:03Jalali Baba then proceeds to insert the cigarette into a tube.
28:13It's a tiny little cigarette.
28:17That last trick was slightly more impressive than the coconut, but I failed to see what's
28:22holy about it.
28:24It would definitely help if you show me something else.
28:30Write my name?
28:37No, just paper.
28:54No, just paper.
29:01Honor, you don't worry.
29:04Within 2013 you will become an actor.
29:08I, Jalali Baba, will pray to God and your work will become guaranteed 100%.
29:16There may well be legitimate spiritual practitioners in Mumbai, but what I've just witnessed here
29:28appears to be a series of cheap magic tricks.
29:31Until Saturday.
29:36At this point Jalali Baba starts to explain that his performance was merely an introduction
29:41to a much longer session, which begs the million dollar question.
29:45And how much will this cost me?
29:46Even though it's just me?
29:47286,000 rupees.
29:48That's over 5,000 dollars.
29:52I don't have that kind of money on me.
30:06Right now I maybe have 200 pounds on me.
30:09Now he starts with the hard sell.
30:17I'd better keep him sweet.
30:19Will 16,000 be enough to cover the cost for now?
30:22And to begin the preparations for the next stage?
30:25Sounds like a good deal.
30:28Time to leave.
30:30I pay Jalali Baba $300, the minimum I can get away with.
30:49That was unbelievable.
30:50I mean it was worth maybe 200 quid for the show, but you can see how if you were at all
30:54vulnerable and desperately in love with someone you wanted to marry, you could quite easily
30:58get taken for a ride.
30:59Five thousand dollars for that little bit of hokum.
31:04Amazing.
31:05That holy man shared one thing in common with all the other scammers I've met in Mumbai.
31:19A flare for the dramatic.
31:21You can get conned out here for sure, but one thing you always get is a good performance.
31:28Molly, the talent scout, put on a great act of deception to take my money, but she's disappeared.
31:35So I'm going to meet a man who can give me the lowdown on Bollywood and its scams.
31:41Minty Tejpal, hi. Good to meet you man.
31:44Minty Tejpal is a journalist here in Mumbai.
31:47I'm good.
31:48So I got you a number from our friend, did you know?
31:51Yes of course.
31:52Because I believe you're a bit of a Bollywood expert and I've had a bit of a bad experience.
31:57Oh, what bad experience?
31:58What happened?
31:59Okay, so I got spotted in the street by a talent scout, casting director, said you've
32:05got a really good look.
32:07You can see a look of familiarity in your eyes already.
32:10It's a pretty popular scam because a lot of hopefuls come into the city every day.
32:15A lot of these people who are scamsters and who would do these things, they would drop
32:19the right names and they would have the right information corner.
32:21That's part of the convincing trick.
32:23If they are going to spot a hopeful and going to be pitching a film or a future to them,
32:28they would know which films are on the floor, who's the director, who's the producer.
32:31You can't be an outsider and be running a scam in any industry.
32:33You'd know.
32:34You'd know the ins and outs.
32:36So, where would the wannabes hang out if they want to get spotted?
32:41If they want to be in a Bollywood movie, where would be the kind of hot spot?
32:45Yeah, okay.
32:46You're in the wrong zone right now.
32:47Colaba, no scene.
32:48You want to head for films, Bollywood, hit the suburbs corner.
32:50There's area called Lokunwala.
32:51And within a five kilometer radius, there are a couple of coffee shops there.
32:55And in that same build, all the big studios are there.
32:57It's the hub.
32:58Everybody heads there.
32:59There are stories about directors spotting talent some years back.
33:02They want to go sit there and have their coffee and look pretty.
33:04And that's the hangout zone.
33:05Okay.
33:06So that's the place to be?
33:07That's the place to be, yeah.
33:08Totally.
33:09If you want to get into Bollywood, that's the place to be.
33:17Like a moth to the flame, I'm off to another place where talent gets spotted.
33:22Lokunwala.
33:23All around me, billboards, posters and movie hopefuls all playing their parts in Mumbai's
33:31version of Hollywood Boulevard.
33:34This is one of the main hangouts of Bollywood wannabes.
33:37So we're staking the place out with hidden cameras.
33:40One over there, one here, one, two, three, four around the table.
33:43I want to see if anyone else approaches me and offers to make me the next face of Bollywood.
33:53Two of the crew are posing as my friends and it looks like we're not the only wannabes looking for a big break.
33:58The competition here is fierce, but we're doing our best to exude star quality and hope to get spotted.
34:09An hour goes by and then a stranger approaches.
34:14Hey, how are you doing?
34:15I swear I've seen you come on, man.
34:17Are you a sportsman?
34:18Yeah, not a professional though. You wouldn't have seen me playing professional sport.
34:21What's your name?
34:22My name is Tony.
34:23Tony.
34:24You are?
34:25Connor.
34:26Connor.
34:27My friends Paul and Carl.
34:28You're from England?
34:29Yeah, from London.
34:30What do you do?
34:31You're basically in social media.
34:33So what, you're on a vacation or what?
34:36Yeah, just here on vacation, yeah.
34:38Thought I'd come and check the place out.
34:39I like it.
34:40It's a nice place to hang out.
34:41So have you seen any Bollywood, anything?
34:44Not yet, no.
34:45Do you want to act?
34:46Do you know what?
34:47I've been told that in Mumbai dreams can come true, let's say.
34:52That people get picked up off the street and you get into a Bollywood movie.
34:55Does that actually happen?
34:56Yes.
34:57The sky is the limit here.
34:59Do you want to audition?
35:00Do I want to audition?
35:01Yeah.
35:02But for a part in a movie?
35:03Uh-huh.
35:04After 41 minutes, that's all it'll take.
35:06You would just take me now, we'll go for an audition for a part in a Bollywood movie?
35:10Just like that?
35:11Yeah.
35:12And what do I have to do?
35:13Literally just turn up and...
35:14There's a little, there are a couple of lines.
35:15There'll be a video camera in front of you.
35:17Sure.
35:18You have to see the lines and you have to act it.
35:20Okay.
35:21Yeah, I'll do it.
35:22I'll do it.
35:23I'll do it.
35:24Okay, look.
35:25Every week, people are seeing somebody's dream being realized.
35:28So I think we should make a move.
35:30We can go, yeah?
35:31Yeah.
35:32You ready?
35:33Tony hails a cab and takes us to a nearby audition room.
35:38So far, he hasn't asked me for a single rupee.
35:43Either he's genuine or he's running a different strategy from Molly.
35:47There's only one way to find out.
35:50Ah, the script.
35:53Okay.
35:54He hands me the script.
35:55This isn't going to be easy.
35:57Because some of the lines are in Hindi.
36:01The movie is a historical drama set in India during British colonial rule.
36:06And I'm playing a ruthless English army officer.
36:13In this scene, my character is trying to shoot a deer,
36:16but keeps being thwarted by an animal-loving villager.
36:19I think I can do this.
36:20This time, I'm going to nail it.
36:21I think I can do this.
36:22This time, I'm going to nail it.
36:23And action.
36:24Sir, this thug has been distracting the deer.
36:28I think I can do this.
36:29This time, I'm going to nail it.
36:30And action.
36:31Sir, this thug has been distracting the deer.
36:32I understand.
36:33This thug has been distracting the deer.
36:34I understand.
36:35I understand.
36:36I understand.
36:37I understand.
36:38I'm sorry.
36:39It's just because it's difficult.
36:40No problem.
36:41Hang on.
36:42Hang on.
36:43Hang on.
36:44Hang on.
36:45Hang on.
36:46I think I can do this.
36:47This time, I'm going to nail it.
36:49And action.
36:50Sir, this thug has been distracting the deer.
36:53No problem.
36:54No problem.
36:55No problem.
36:56No problem.
36:57No problem.
36:58No problem.
36:59No problem.
37:00Sir, he's a farmer from Champagne.
37:02Ah.
37:03So you must be a fast runner.
37:08Try saving this one.
37:13Next time, I'll shoot you.
37:18Super, man.
37:20Let's make a movie.
37:21Yeah.
37:22You get this so you owe me a party.
37:23Okay.
37:24This is not for nothing.
37:25Okay.
37:26Deal.
37:27Deal?
37:28Yeah.
37:29Yeah.
37:30Okay.
37:31For sure.
37:36If this is a scam, I don't get it.
37:39And if it isn't, am I really going to make it big in Bollywood?
37:51Yeah.
37:52Later that afternoon, I get a phone call from Tony to say the director loved my audition,
37:59and I've got a role in the movie.
38:02Where have I heard that before?
38:05Tony wants to come to my hotel to celebrate, but I'm a bit cautious, so I set up in a friend's
38:12apartment.
38:13There's something not quite right about this.
38:15We're having a party tonight to celebrate my new partner Bollywood film, but I've been
38:20here before and I've been ripped off by an agent before, so if anything fishy happens
38:23in this room, I want to see it.
38:24We've got one, two, three, four, five, six hidden cameras in this room.
38:30Anything that happens in here, I'm going to see it.
38:49Hello.
38:50Hey.
38:51How are you doing?
38:52I'm good, man.
38:53Nice to see you.
38:54That's Melody.
38:55You brought a friend.
38:56Hi, Melody.
38:57Nice to meet you.
38:58I've got whiskey.
38:59I've got vodka.
39:00I've got, you know, whatever you want.
39:02I'm a vodka girl.
39:03You're a vodka girl.
39:04Well, have some vodka.
39:05You want it with some club soda?
39:06You want it neat?
39:07You want to sit down?
39:08Yeah, sit down.
39:09Make yourself comfortable.
39:10Sit down.
39:11Cheers, guys.
39:12Cheers.
39:13Cheers.
39:14Cheers.
39:15So that director's happy that you spotted somebody?
39:17Yeah.
39:18Yeah.
39:19He said he liked what he saw.
39:20I can't believe this.
39:21No, I'm really getting jealous.
39:23Why don't you help this girl?
39:25Melody is also a wannabe Bollywood star.
39:27And according to Tony, she's in with a real chance.
39:31It goes like this.
39:32Touch me, touch me, touch me.
39:34Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me.
39:37Oh, oh, oh, oh.
39:41Wow, it is a sexy dance.
39:43And just singing along with it.
39:45The dance routine is pretty entertaining, but it's not why we have six cameras in the room.
39:50Then the doorbell rings.
39:51Yeah?
39:52Is that your bell?
39:53Yeah, yeah.
39:54I wasn't expecting anyone.
39:55You've got more friends coming over.
39:56Hello?
39:57Morning.
39:58Sir?
39:59Can I help you?
40:00What are you doing?
40:01Sorry, who are you?
40:02Who's she?
40:03Sorry, who are you?
40:04You've just walked into my friend's apartment.
40:05Just sit.
40:06Sit down.
40:07Hang on.
40:08You know these guys?
40:09Hang on.
40:10Hang on.
40:11You know these guys?
40:12He's a f**king cop.
40:14Just sit down.
40:15Sit down.
40:16Come on.
40:17What am I doing wrong?
40:18What do I have to do?
40:19Hang on.
40:20You know these guys?
40:22He's a f**king cop.
40:23Just sit down.
40:24Sit down, Ronald.
40:25Sit down.
40:26You're doing something wrong, you know?
40:27No, what am I doing wrong?
40:28I'm copse.
40:30I'm just having a drink with some friends?
40:32What were we-
40:33Who's this guy?
40:34Somebody called him
40:35Saying there is a happy neighbor's life.
40:37So whatever you want to do, just calm down.
40:41OK, I'm calm, but this guy's kind of intimidating.
40:45What's your name?
40:47Connor.
40:48Breaking license, do you have a license?
40:51I'm over 21, I think we can see that.
40:53You're going very wrong.
40:55She's underage.
40:56Please, sir.
40:57I'm 23, sir.
40:58I don't know what's going on.
40:59Show me your ID.
41:01I don't carry ID.
41:04You look like a Basha.
41:07OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, whoa, whoa, whoa, come on.
41:14Sorry, what was that?
41:16He said money.
41:18Tony says the cop wants money and is accusing us of drinking without a license.
41:23If we don't give you money, he's going to take us to the police station.
41:27But we haven't done anything wrong.
41:28The problem in Bombay is that if you're drinking, even if you're 25, 30, you need a license to drink.
41:35I've only been drinking lemonade, so I'm not breaking any laws.
41:39But what Tony tells me next really worries me.
41:42He's thinking that he's very prostitute.
41:44Is she a prostitute?
41:45Are you fucking crazy?
41:46I'm just asking you.
41:47I need to know now because this is a bad situation.
41:50What do we have to do to make this go away, Tony?
41:54Tony, what do we have to do to make this go away?
41:56Smile.
41:57Talk to him nicely.
41:58Give him some money.
41:59How much money?
42:01Melody gets really upset and starts to cry.
42:05At which point, Tony motions for her to leave with one of the cops.
42:09Just come.
42:10Just come.
42:11Just come.
42:12Tell me.
42:13Where's she going?
42:15I can't keep her here.
42:18So are you going to leave me here with this guy?
42:20You call me here with one.
42:21What?
42:22How can you get to go?
42:23Okay.
42:24Hang on.
42:25What is going on here, Tony?
42:27You can walk out of here and I can't walk out of here.
42:30All my instincts are telling me that this is a scam.
42:33If I'm right, I'm in trouble.
42:35Because this isn't the kind of guy you want to disagree with.
42:38But if I'm wrong, and he really is a cop,
42:41then things could get really complicated.
42:45This is too convenient.
42:48You take me for an audition, you bring me in here.
42:50This guy turns up.
42:51What does he want?
42:52£2,000?
42:53No, no, no.
42:54Get up.
42:55Get up.
42:56Get up.
42:57This is getting a bit nerve-wracking,
42:58but I've got to stick to my guns.
43:01At what point do we break the charade here?
43:04What the fuck is wrong with you, man?
43:06What's going on here?
43:07You sure this isn't a scam?
43:09Let me explain to you.
43:11I maybe haven't been completely honest with you,
43:13but I don't think you're being completely honest with me either.
43:16I'm in Mumbai looking for scams.
43:20And I think this is a little scene for me to try and get money out of me.
43:25Tony realises he's busted.
43:28He makes a phone call.
43:29I'm not here on my own.
43:31I want you to explain to me on camera.
43:33I'm here with a TV crew.
43:35It's down the road.
43:36I can bring it here quickly.
43:38What are you doing?
43:39I'm making a TV show.
43:40What's coming up?
43:41I'm making a TV show.
43:42I don't want to cause whatever.
43:43I don't want to cause a problem for you.
43:45This is my work.
43:46Okay, this is your work.
43:47I understand.
43:48Tony says he doesn't want to do an on-camera interview.
43:52The two men argue for a minute and then the cop tells him to leave.
43:56Tony, you coming back?
43:59But the big guy stays in the room.
44:03Just you and me?
44:05Yeah.
44:06So, here's what I propose.
44:09I tell him I've been secretly recording the scam on six hidden cameras.
44:14But I won't cause any trouble if he agrees to talk.
44:18Can you explain to me how this works?
44:20But I want to bring in a camera.
44:22Yeah.
44:23Do you want to bring someone in from here too?
44:26Please don't be alarmed.
44:28The full Scam City crew come into the room.
44:32With a Hindi translator.
44:39So, were you ever really a policeman?
44:41No.
44:42Never.
44:43How often do you scam tourists?
44:45In the year, 10 times.
44:49Tourists are very easy to make tourists.
44:52Can you remember a particular time that you scammed tourists?
44:56One time a tourist met me.
44:59And I offered him, he wants some drugs.
45:04And when we were taking drugs, my friend stopped cops.
45:13And he said, it's illegal.
45:15You have to go to jail.
45:19And then we took a thousand dollars.
45:22So, do you always work with an accomplice?
45:33And how long have you known Tony?
45:35Two years back.
45:36Okay.
45:37So, have you done similar scams with Tony before on tourists?
45:39I've done two jobs.
45:41Because my English is very weak,
45:45he worked with the mediator.
45:48So, it's almost like a little scene in a film.
45:51Do you feel a bit like an actor when you're playing out a scam?
45:55Have you ever had a scam go wrong?
45:56When I start, complete.
46:10This has been one of the most elaborate scams I've come across.
46:23Tony and Melody have disappeared into the night, leaving me with the fake cop.
46:30A seriously deceptive individual.
46:33Cold.
46:34Professional.
46:35Dangerous.
46:36Well, this town may be all about Bollywood and that guy might seem like a villain from
46:42a Bond film.
46:43There's no doubt in my mind, real baddies are a lot scarier than the ones in the movies.
46:48Some say Mumbai is named after a Hindu mother goddess, and it feels like I've experienced
47:03the mother of all scams.
47:13Everyone seems to be playing a part.
47:16But the most impressive performances I've seen have been from the people trying to scam
47:21me.
47:22All the scammers I've met have been such good actors that it seems to me like they would
47:27make it in Bollywood if they put their minds to it.
47:32Then again, maybe that wouldn't be quite so entertaining.
47:41us and to get into it.
47:42We'll see you guys next time on The Base Up I.
47:44Next time's episode 9.
47:45We're entertaining.
47:46Now, the best part you would have seen this The Base Up I.
47:49You are entertaining.
47:50Now, click on the video about 4SW The Base Up I.
47:51Now, take the time.
47:52Now, visit next time.
47:53And after that, the video.
47:54Let's see you soon.
47:55Select a 3SW The Base Up I.
47:57is a 3SW The Base Up I.
47:59to be believable.
48:00Now, check out our Twitter.
48:01Now, check out our 2SW The Base Up I.
48:02Take care 3SW The Base Up I.
48:03Now, check out our logo, check out our 3SW The Base Up I.
48:04core.
48:05Let's see you.
48:06Like the top 1SW The Base Up I.
Recommended
46:27
|
Up next
1:01
9:51