Accused Frankston conwoman blows up in series of bizarre Facebook posts
The woman who allegedly scammed thousands of dollars from Frankston businesses has posted a series of bizarre rants on social media defending her “transparent” conduct.
South East
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An alleged scammer accused of conning about $30,000 from businesses has posted a series of bizarre rants on Facebook, as Victoria Police launch an investigation into fake fundraisers.
Rhiannon Pilton — accused of organising sham charity events in Frankston and Mornington — claims she wants to “set the record straight” but still refuses to speak to local traders, a charity and venue managers who’ve been trying to track her down for more than a year.
Her long, rambling posts swing from denying wrongdoing and threatening legal action, to apologising and promising to give money to the charity she used to promote a “sham” event.
In February last year, Pilton promoted a small business awards night as a charity fundraiser, but the nominated group, homelessness support network Donation Chain Inc, received no money and the people who paid $175 to attend the “black tie, red carpet” event labelled it a sham.
The meal turned out to be sausage rolls and Ms Pilton told the gathered business people the awards trophies had been stolen.
She also organised the inaugural Mornington Peninsula Business Awards at the Mornington Racing Club, which attracted up to 200 attendees. A club spokesman told the Leader late last year the venue never received a full payment for the May 2, 2018, gala but would not disclose the outstanding amount.
In her recent spate of social media posts, Ms Pilton claims to be a “transparent” person while apologising to those caught up in the business awards.
But a number of people who blew the whistle on her have received a cease and desist letter from the alleged conwoman.
“I have always presented as (a) transparent, accountable and apologetic (person including) where mistakes (and) oversights occur (ed),” Ms Pilton posted on Facebook.
“Say what you will about me … the (Frankston Business Awards) was (supposed) to be (a) showstopping experience.”
Despite sending a letter in December promising to pay Donation Chain Inc $1100, founder Helena Blomeley said her group had not received a cent.
“She hasn’t paid the money … she sent me a long ramble about paying the money in 30 days on January 1 … (we’ve received) no (money),” Ms Blomeley told the Leader.
In one Facebook post titled ‘public statement for immediate release’ Ms Pilton said she was “beaten emotionally, mentally (and) financially” and denied that invitations advertising comedian Tommy Little and AFL legend Kevin Sheedy as guests for events were just bait for ticket sales.
It is unknown how much money Ms Pilton took in sales for the cancelled cabaret night in November 2018 which promised Sheedy.
The Leader believes Ms Pilton took money through ticket sales website Eventbrite for a number of events that did not go ahead or drew poor attendance that year.
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“(The) Tommy Little event personally upset me as I never predicted the (sort) of sabotage especially (for) a charity night … (he) was booked through (an) entertainment group at a rate of 15 mins for $8800 which was increased post original engagement discussions,” she wrote.
But a manager for Mr Little from Token Management told the Leader in October that the funny man had “no knowledge” of the event.
Other posts on Ms Pilton’s social media include advertisements on marketplace offering up blonde wigs, bluetooth speakers and a second-hand car at locations ranging from Cairns in Queensland to Patterson Lakes.
She has not responded to the Leader’s calls for an interview.
Rosebud CIU is investigating complaints about Ms Pilton but say they can’t comment at this time.