She believed the TV star wanted to marry her—then scammers demanded $40 million
- Replies 12
Online relationships can offer comfort and connection—but they can also become a gateway for something far more sinister.
One woman’s experience began with an exciting message from a well-known TV personality but quickly spiralled into something she never anticipated.
What unfolded was a carefully orchestrated deception that left emotional and financial scars.
Animal-lover Lisa Nock believed she had formed a connection with one of Australia’s most recognisable TV personalities, but the reality behind the messages was far more sinister.
Her supposed relationship with Bondi Vet star Dr Chris Brown began with a surprising message that left her ‘chuffed’.
‘I was chuffed that Chris Brown had messaged me, I’m a huge fan and hoped this might be our chance to meet,’ Ms Nock shared.
The messages quickly shifted to social media platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, where scammers posing as the beloved vet continued to manipulate her.
They used artificial intelligence to simulate a romantic relationship and trick Ms Nock over a span of two-and-a-half years.
‘After a few months, I admit I was enamoured. He told me he loved me and wanted us to marry – of course I said no, and asked if it was a scam,’ she said.
When she tried calling the number, her efforts were blocked.
Scammers escalated their tactics by calling her through an encrypted app, using an AI-generated voice to impersonate Dr Brown.
The fake ‘Chris’ told her he hoped the call had cleared her doubts.
They also created AI-generated images of Dr Brown and sent them to Ms Nock, who volunteers as an English and drama teacher.
Living on just $1246 a month from her UK pensions—two thirds of which went to rent—Ms Nock sent the remaining $400 to scammers almost every month for nearly three years.
She transferred the money using gift cards, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency accounts.
‘I was vulnerable and wanted to believe we could be friends, we both love animals, I had lost my partner in a car crash a few years ago,’ she said.
Ms Nock finally realised it was a scam when the impersonators, pretending to be part of Dr Brown’s ‘management’ team, told her he had been kidnapped and demanded $40 million for his release.
She reported the deception to British police.
She also wanted Dr Brown to be aware that his name and image were being misused to exploit people.
The 44-year-old was now left with a significant credit card debt and ongoing struggles with depression.
She stressed that she was ‘no fool’, but had been outwitted by the sophisticated use of AI and urged others to be wary.
Ms Nock first shared her experience on the Catfished Podcast, describing the emotional manipulation as grooming.
Watch more below.
Source: Youtube/CatfishedOnline
‘And all of a sudden when it’s dropped a bombshell on you, you just lose that trust in anybody and it can be hard to hold down a relationship once you’ve been traumatised in that way,’ she said.
‘That will live with me forever.’
Dr Brown previously warned fans on social media about scammers pretending to be him.
‘I’m sorry I even have to say this,’ he posted in November 2024.
‘But just to be clear, I don’t have any other private chat accounts, pages or other special accounts. Nor any Telegrams or chat rooms where I have offline conversations.’
‘Sadly, all of these are just scammers. And not even good ones, the way they assume I talk is a little embarrassing. And trust me, I don’t have the time!’
‘I’d rather be talking pets than scammers but enough is enough.’
Bondi Vet, the TV show that launched Dr Brown’s fame, has aired in more than 180 countries since it debuted in 2009.
In a previous story, another well-known Channel 10 personality spoke out after scammers used his identity to target women online.
The TV star warned fans to stay vigilant as fake profiles continued to circulate across social media.
You can read more about his response and the growing trend of impersonation scams.
With AI scams becoming more convincing every year, how can people protect themselves from falling for fake relationships online? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
One woman’s experience began with an exciting message from a well-known TV personality but quickly spiralled into something she never anticipated.
What unfolded was a carefully orchestrated deception that left emotional and financial scars.
Animal-lover Lisa Nock believed she had formed a connection with one of Australia’s most recognisable TV personalities, but the reality behind the messages was far more sinister.
Her supposed relationship with Bondi Vet star Dr Chris Brown began with a surprising message that left her ‘chuffed’.
‘I was chuffed that Chris Brown had messaged me, I’m a huge fan and hoped this might be our chance to meet,’ Ms Nock shared.
Woman duped in fake TV vet romance. Image source: Facebook/Dr Chris Brown
The messages quickly shifted to social media platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, where scammers posing as the beloved vet continued to manipulate her.
They used artificial intelligence to simulate a romantic relationship and trick Ms Nock over a span of two-and-a-half years.
‘After a few months, I admit I was enamoured. He told me he loved me and wanted us to marry – of course I said no, and asked if it was a scam,’ she said.
When she tried calling the number, her efforts were blocked.
Scammers escalated their tactics by calling her through an encrypted app, using an AI-generated voice to impersonate Dr Brown.
The fake ‘Chris’ told her he hoped the call had cleared her doubts.
They also created AI-generated images of Dr Brown and sent them to Ms Nock, who volunteers as an English and drama teacher.
Living on just $1246 a month from her UK pensions—two thirds of which went to rent—Ms Nock sent the remaining $400 to scammers almost every month for nearly three years.
She transferred the money using gift cards, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency accounts.
‘I was vulnerable and wanted to believe we could be friends, we both love animals, I had lost my partner in a car crash a few years ago,’ she said.
Ms Nock finally realised it was a scam when the impersonators, pretending to be part of Dr Brown’s ‘management’ team, told her he had been kidnapped and demanded $40 million for his release.
She reported the deception to British police.
She also wanted Dr Brown to be aware that his name and image were being misused to exploit people.
The 44-year-old was now left with a significant credit card debt and ongoing struggles with depression.
She stressed that she was ‘no fool’, but had been outwitted by the sophisticated use of AI and urged others to be wary.
Ms Nock first shared her experience on the Catfished Podcast, describing the emotional manipulation as grooming.
Watch more below.
Source: Youtube/CatfishedOnline
‘And all of a sudden when it’s dropped a bombshell on you, you just lose that trust in anybody and it can be hard to hold down a relationship once you’ve been traumatised in that way,’ she said.
‘That will live with me forever.’
Dr Brown previously warned fans on social media about scammers pretending to be him.
‘I’m sorry I even have to say this,’ he posted in November 2024.
‘But just to be clear, I don’t have any other private chat accounts, pages or other special accounts. Nor any Telegrams or chat rooms where I have offline conversations.’
‘Sadly, all of these are just scammers. And not even good ones, the way they assume I talk is a little embarrassing. And trust me, I don’t have the time!’
‘I’d rather be talking pets than scammers but enough is enough.’
Bondi Vet, the TV show that launched Dr Brown’s fame, has aired in more than 180 countries since it debuted in 2009.
In a previous story, another well-known Channel 10 personality spoke out after scammers used his identity to target women online.
Barry Du Bois warns of online dating scam. Image source: Instagram/baz_dubois/
The TV star warned fans to stay vigilant as fake profiles continued to circulate across social media.
You can read more about his response and the growing trend of impersonation scams.
With AI scams becoming more convincing every year, how can people protect themselves from falling for fake relationships online? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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