Samantha Azzopardi facing 14 charges at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court

An internationally renowned serial fantasist has faced court from prison where she was ordered not to stalk or communicate with a protected person.

Samantha Azzopardi appears for sentencing at Picton Local Court in Sydney. Picture: Dylan Coker

A serial fantasist who once pretended to be US actress Dakota Johnson and the daughter of Princess Madeleine of Sweden is facing more charges and has been banned from stalking or contacting a protected person.

Samantha Azzopardi faced Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday via video link from prison, where she was wearing a blue face mask and had her blonde hair pulled back in a bun.

She looked down during most of the proceedings.

Azzopardi was arrested on High St, Northcote, on October 10 and charged with obtaining financial advantage by deception.

The 35-year-old, who has made headlines across Australia, in Ireland and Canada, was detained over a series of alleged deceptions in Dandenong, Brighton and Reservoir.

The court heard she was facing 14 charges, including obtaining financial advantage by deception, with the alleged offending taking place between September 4 to 9.

Samantha Azzopardi is facing more charges. Picture: Facebook

According to court documents, Azzopardi is accused of dishonestly obtaining for herself a financial advantage of $18,837 by deception, namely portraying herself as being from Europe and in need of support services and obtaining accommodation, vouchers and medical costs from support services.

An application for bail was withdrawn, with Azzopardi’s lawyer Rose George telling the court an amended summary had been served on Monday and Azzopardi was now facing additional charges.

Ms Rose asked that the matter be adjourned to December which Magistrate Cathy Lamble agreed to.

Ms Lamble also granted an application for an interim intervention order to be served on Azzopardi, with conditions including preventing the stalking of a protected person, prohibiting her from attempting to locate the person, and banning her from contacting or communicating with them.

Ms Lamble said part of the narrative raised concerns of the affected person being contacted by a lawyer on behalf of Azzopardi in circumstances where she was in hospital.

Azzopardi was remanded to face Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court again on December 1.

She first came to police attention 16 years ago.

Over the years, she has had more than 40 aliases, posing as a nanny, nurse and even American actress Dakota Johnson and the daughter of Princess Madeleine of Sweden.

She also once pretended to be a talent scout called Coco, promising to help a Melbourne couple’s daughter land a role on the Australian version of the hit US TV show ‘Punk’d’.