“Dirty Harry” O’Connor, whose real name is believed to be Dene Broadbelt, has incurred debts of more than $120,000 in the past 18 months across Australia by smooth-talking victims then obtaining goods and services with faked credit references and payment receipts.

A Dene Broadbelt Support Group has even been set up on Facebook, where its 104 members discuss his scams. 

His trail of victims stretches from Melbourne to Perth, Brisbane to Darwin, and Goulburn to Adelaide.

Broadbelt, who has also used aliases Dene Broadbent, Dean Mussillon, Nic Lloyd and Clay O’Connor, sets up elaborate deceits and convinces businesses to provide cars, rooms and equipment. 

He has claimed to be filming a charity cancer walk for Channel Seven in the outback, a music promoter touring a national festival and a big-city DJ talent agency chief. 

When confronted by angry sceptics, he disappears leaving a pile of unpaid bills.

Broadbelt recently recruited 11 teenage DJs from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane over the internet to his Paramount Agency & Touring company, based near Sydney’s Circular Quay. 

He invited six to a photo shoot in Wollongong on July 1. A major hotel was left with a bill of nearly $4000 after Broadbelt arranged accommodation, drinks and meals for eight people, then failed to pay. Bass Limousines alleged it was owed $7000 for driving “O’Connor” and his DJs and entourage around the Illawarra on a 13-hour shoot. A photographer, make-up artist and stylist remain unpaid, as does a recording studio.

The Paramount agency collapsed six days ago after its talent manager, Emma Grace, 25, was told “Harry” was selling turntables to his own artists through Facebook but not delivering on payment. Ms Grace warned the musicians then contacted police. “Harry” then sent her an SMS saying he planned to work from home and hasn’t been in contact. Paramount’s website and Facebook page have been deleted and his phone disconnected.

Fairfax Media tried to contact Broadbelt but his phone is disconnected and he has not replied to emails.

“We really can’t tell how many people he stuffed over,” said DJ James Kittelty, 19, from Melbourne.

Last December, Broadbelt convinced staff of Darwin-based audiovisual company Dreamedia to freight $150,000 worth of professional equipment to Alice Springs so his company, Coleman Studios, could film Jimmy Harrington’s brain and spinal cancer fund-raising walk . 

“He led us to believe he was working with Channel Seven on a shoot and his cameras had gone back to Sydney,” said Dreamedia owner Chris O’Brien.

The camera equipment was returned anonymously, although Dreamedia remains $25,756 out of pocket for hire fees. 

Mr O’Brien reported the incident to Northern Territory police, who confirmed they are aware of the case but it is being investigated by NT Consumer Affairs.

Warren Day of Sydney company VA Digital Hire has a similar story. He was left with more than $25,000 of unpaid bills for hire and recovery of professional filming gear.

One of the most serious allegations is that Broadbelt profited from ticket sales for the Infinity Music Festival, which he had proposed to stage in Dubbo, Narromine and Wellington, which was never held. 

Scott Richardson of Ulladulla Web Design created festival posters and is owed “around $1500”. 

He thinks Broadbelt is a “good-natured but troubled kid” and “needs to be stopped”.”He’s not making a lot of money, just trying to live out this persona and lifestyle he wishes he had. He reminds me of the guy from the film Catch Me If You Can on a smaller scale.”