Channel 10 star speaks out after scammers hijack his identity to deceive women
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Online scams are evolving, and some are becoming disturbingly personal—especially when they involve trusted public figures.
One familiar Aussie face has become the target of a deceitful scheme that’s leaving unsuspecting victims vulnerable and confused.
What’s unfolding is a sobering reminder of how easily identities can be hijacked in the digital age.
Channel 10 personality Barry Du Bois had warned his followers that scammers were using his images to create fraudulent dating profiles online.
The 64-year-old presenter, who had been living with incurable cancer, took to social media to expose a fake eHarmony account using his photo.
‘Be aware of fakes in you’re on Eharmony,’ he wrote in a caption over the screenshot, which showed a dating profile for ‘Filip’, a 61-year-old engineer falsely represented by Du Bois’ pictures.
This wasn’t the first time his identity had been exploited in this way.
Back in April, a social media group called Catch The Catfish had reported several accounts impersonating him and urged the public to stay alert.
‘Barry Dubois is being used a lot again lately. Four victims in the last week. Please be aware of his photos on profiles. Real one is verified,’ the group had posted.
It also revealed the names of various scammers—Mwagasa Gisi, Jonathan Mbusa, and others—who were using Du Bois’ likeness, including his real name.
The group had also raised similar concerns in 2020, warning that Du Bois’ photos were being misused in fake online dating profiles.
‘Scammers are using the pictures of Barry Du Bois, Australian interior designer, builder and TV presenter. He is happily married with children,’ they wrote at the time.
Images shared by the group included selfies of Du Bois with other Australian TV personalities, such as Dr Chris Brown.
In the comment section of the April post, several people shared personal stories involving vulnerable loved ones who had been targeted.
One commenter revealed that their grandmother had been speaking to a scammer under the name ‘Ben Parkinson’.
Another reported that a friend was being deceived by someone pretending to be a petroleum engineer in Kuwait, using the alias ‘Gary Donovan’.
‘She’s claiming he’s called her on video call from Kuwait,’ the concerned user wrote.
They continued: ‘He’s going by Gary Donovan, Frank Elliott, André Fredric, Oliver Jackson.’
Despite receiving evidence that it was a scam, the user said their friend continued to believe the imposter’s story.
‘He’s claiming someone stole his pictures and is using his profile and he’s going to hire a lawyer!…I have tried repeatedly to explain to her that whoever she is talking to it is not Barry Du Bois or Gary Donovan,’ they said.
‘She won’t listen to me, so at this point, there’s nothing else I can do to help her.’
The post drew more than 50 comments from users who had experienced or witnessed similar scams.
Du Bois’ warning came shortly after he reflected on his cancer journey in a moving post shared to social media.
He was first diagnosed with solitary plasmacytoma in 2010, a rare form of blood cancer.
By 2017, the illness had developed into multiple myeloma—an incurable disease that weakens the immune system and attacks bone marrow.
‘It’s over a decade ago now when I was diagnosed with my first cancer and given a very short time to live, (whilst they got that wrong), the weight of that diagnosis could have crushed me,’ he wrote on 29 March.
‘I was overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty, and the unknown.
‘But through it all, I realised something that I feel is why I am here today: It wasn’t going to be cancer that defined me but the way I choose to approach it.’
He described his mindset as his ‘greatest ally’, particularly during the darkest stages of his illness.
Du Bois used his experience to guide others, offering talks and workshops focused on overcoming hardship and embracing personal growth.
He first gained national recognition in 2011 as a contestant on The Renovators.
Soon after, he became a co-host of The Living Room alongside Amanda Keller, Dr Chris Brown and Miguel Maestre.
It was during production of the lifestyle show that he learned his cancer had returned as myeloma.
In 2018, he co-authored the book Life Force with Maestre, sharing insights on family, health, and resilience, with Keller writing the foreword.
Despite the challenges, Du Bois continued to speak openly about his journey—both to raise awareness and to support others facing adversity.
In a previous story, we explored how deceptive online relationships can lead to devastating consequences.
One woman’s search for love ended in a shocking financial loss.
To read more about her heartbreaking experience, click here.
With scammers constantly finding new ways to exploit public figures, how can we better protect ourselves online? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
One familiar Aussie face has become the target of a deceitful scheme that’s leaving unsuspecting victims vulnerable and confused.
What’s unfolding is a sobering reminder of how easily identities can be hijacked in the digital age.
Channel 10 personality Barry Du Bois had warned his followers that scammers were using his images to create fraudulent dating profiles online.
The 64-year-old presenter, who had been living with incurable cancer, took to social media to expose a fake eHarmony account using his photo.
‘Be aware of fakes in you’re on Eharmony,’ he wrote in a caption over the screenshot, which showed a dating profile for ‘Filip’, a 61-year-old engineer falsely represented by Du Bois’ pictures.
Barry Du Bois warns of online dating scam. Image source: Instagram/baz_dubois/
This wasn’t the first time his identity had been exploited in this way.
Back in April, a social media group called Catch The Catfish had reported several accounts impersonating him and urged the public to stay alert.
‘Barry Dubois is being used a lot again lately. Four victims in the last week. Please be aware of his photos on profiles. Real one is verified,’ the group had posted.
It also revealed the names of various scammers—Mwagasa Gisi, Jonathan Mbusa, and others—who were using Du Bois’ likeness, including his real name.
The group had also raised similar concerns in 2020, warning that Du Bois’ photos were being misused in fake online dating profiles.
‘Scammers are using the pictures of Barry Du Bois, Australian interior designer, builder and TV presenter. He is happily married with children,’ they wrote at the time.
Images shared by the group included selfies of Du Bois with other Australian TV personalities, such as Dr Chris Brown.
In the comment section of the April post, several people shared personal stories involving vulnerable loved ones who had been targeted.
One commenter revealed that their grandmother had been speaking to a scammer under the name ‘Ben Parkinson’.
Another reported that a friend was being deceived by someone pretending to be a petroleum engineer in Kuwait, using the alias ‘Gary Donovan’.
‘She’s claiming he’s called her on video call from Kuwait,’ the concerned user wrote.
They continued: ‘He’s going by Gary Donovan, Frank Elliott, André Fredric, Oliver Jackson.’
Despite receiving evidence that it was a scam, the user said their friend continued to believe the imposter’s story.
‘He’s claiming someone stole his pictures and is using his profile and he’s going to hire a lawyer!…I have tried repeatedly to explain to her that whoever she is talking to it is not Barry Du Bois or Gary Donovan,’ they said.
‘She won’t listen to me, so at this point, there’s nothing else I can do to help her.’
The post drew more than 50 comments from users who had experienced or witnessed similar scams.
Du Bois’ warning came shortly after he reflected on his cancer journey in a moving post shared to social media.
He was first diagnosed with solitary plasmacytoma in 2010, a rare form of blood cancer.
By 2017, the illness had developed into multiple myeloma—an incurable disease that weakens the immune system and attacks bone marrow.
‘It’s over a decade ago now when I was diagnosed with my first cancer and given a very short time to live, (whilst they got that wrong), the weight of that diagnosis could have crushed me,’ he wrote on 29 March.
‘I was overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty, and the unknown.
‘But through it all, I realised something that I feel is why I am here today: It wasn’t going to be cancer that defined me but the way I choose to approach it.’
He described his mindset as his ‘greatest ally’, particularly during the darkest stages of his illness.
Du Bois used his experience to guide others, offering talks and workshops focused on overcoming hardship and embracing personal growth.
He first gained national recognition in 2011 as a contestant on The Renovators.
Soon after, he became a co-host of The Living Room alongside Amanda Keller, Dr Chris Brown and Miguel Maestre.
It was during production of the lifestyle show that he learned his cancer had returned as myeloma.
In 2018, he co-authored the book Life Force with Maestre, sharing insights on family, health, and resilience, with Keller writing the foreword.
Despite the challenges, Du Bois continued to speak openly about his journey—both to raise awareness and to support others facing adversity.
In a previous story, we explored how deceptive online relationships can lead to devastating consequences.
One woman’s search for love ended in a shocking financial loss.
To read more about her heartbreaking experience, click here.
With scammers constantly finding new ways to exploit public figures, how can we better protect ourselves online? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
