Australian con man Brett Joseph arrested in Texas on fraud and child-indecency charges

Brett Joseph, 39, built a reputation on dating apps in regional New South Wales by claiming vast family wealth, but was convicted of multiple fraud offenses in 2016. After relocating to Texas, he was stopped by Throckmorton deputies who, while serving civil papers, found an active fraud warrant and placed him in Stephens County Jail. He spent two days behind bars before posting a $US10,000 bond, and also faces a prior child-indecency charge that carried a $US25,000 bond.

Joseph says he has not been indicted on either count and blames an "ugly" breakup for the legal trouble. His former partner, Daisy Armstrong, has long publicized his alleged scams, noting his use of several aliases. Another former girlfriend, Alanna O'Donnell, recalled missing jewellery from a 2009 relationship, which resurfaced after Armstrong’s website exposed Joseph. Retired fraud detective Michael Gerondis, who has monitored Joseph for years, said the pattern of deception is unsurprising.