‘Can I be your ho ho ho please’: Co-accuseds in alleged $14m international investment scam flash love notes in court

Two alleged fraudsters, who allegedly fleeced more than $14m in an international investment scam, flashed raunchy love notes and blew kisses at each other during their court hearing.

Two alleged scammers have used their court appearance as an opportunity to flirt with each other by flashing love notes from custody. Picture: Supplied.

Two alleged scammers, accused of being involved in a $14m international investment scam, spent their court appearance giggling and flashing raunchy love notes to each other from custody.

Nicole Kristy Clegg and Brent Aaron Watts both appeared via video link from custody at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Mr Watts, who linked in from Kareenga prison, held up notes to Clegg that read “I love you”, “that’s my baby” and “can I be you ho ho ho please”.

The pair appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link from custody on Wednesday.

He also stood up, adjusted his shirt and signalled to his genital region.

Ms Clegg, who appeared from the Dame Phyllis Frost centre, giggled at the notes and genital gesture.

She also held up hand hearts and blew kisses to Mr Watts.

The pair was charged as part of an investigation into a $14m international investment scheme.

Mr Watts, Ms Clegg, Scott Anderson, Christopher George Johnston, Damian Tuckwell Meredith, Lonnie Brian Stephenson and Simon Geoffrey Flockhart were named as the seven accused Victorian “money mules” for the alleged fraud.

Prosecution believe the group were paid commissions by an international syndicate to open fraudulent businesses and bank accounts used to funnel money overseas.

It’s alleged foreign scammers used the local accounts to dupe wannabe investors into thinking they were depositing money into fixed-term deposits or buying shares through a brokerage.

The group allegedly moved more than $14m fleeced from 30 victims offshore between August 2022 and February 2024.

The case was adjourned to a further committal mention on January 23 and a five-day committal hearing on April 14.