Imagine pouring your dreams, savings, and trust into a Hollywood project, only to realize it’s all built on lies. This is the devastating reality for countless individuals ensnared by a notorious conman’s web of deceit. Joshua Howlett, a convicted fraudster with a knack for exploiting ambition, is back in the spotlight—and his alleged victims are furious. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite a well-documented history of deception, Howlett continues to lure unsuspecting victims with promises of Hollywood glory. How does he keep getting away with it? And this is the part most people miss: his tactics are so sophisticated, even seasoned professionals fall prey.
Howlett first grabbed headlines with a bold claim: he was producing a film about NBA star Matthew Dellavedova’s journey from rural Victoria to basketball stardom. To sweeten the deal, he name-dropped A-listers like Woody Harrelson, Nick Nolte, and Liam Hemsworth, allegedly securing their interest. But the project collapsed when Howlett’s shady past was exposed, leaving Dellavedova’s team wary. 'We deal with sharks every day in the sports industry,' Dellavedova’s manager, Bruce Kaider, later revealed. 'But Josh? He was a snake. I could tell early on he was full of it.'
Fast forward to today, and Howlett’s alleged scams have only grown more elaborate. Take the case of Sydney actor Ben Taylor, who claims Howlett strung him along for over a decade, pocketing more than $70,000 for three projects that never materialized. Taylor, now 34, recalls handing over $15,000 in 2014 for a film idea titled Discovering Amy. Howlett promised Hollywood connections and funding by year’s end. What Taylor got instead? An 11-page 'story treatment' allegedly penned by a celebrity—later revealed to be a fabrication. 'I was on cloud nine,' Taylor admits. 'But it was all smoke and mirrors.'
The pattern repeated with Fun Trip, another Taylor project. Howlett allegedly convinced Taylor to loan him $50,000—borrowed from his parents—with a promise to match it for a $250,000 grant. 'I cancelled all my odd jobs,' Taylor says. 'I thought my hard work was finally paying off.' Spoiler alert: it didn’t. Instead, Taylor was left with empty promises and a growing sense of betrayal. 'He sweet-talked me for so long,' Taylor laments. 'I was in his slipstream, and I didn’t even realize it.'
But Taylor isn’t Howlett’s only alleged victim. A Melbourne couple, Mel Matulin and Jamie Etherington, claim Howlett hired Jamie for a Vogue shoot—then vanished without paying him, the stylist, or the model. Matulin took to Facebook to warn others, only to be flooded with responses from people who’d had similar 'horrific experiences.' 'He’s ruined lives,' Matulin says. 'People need to know who he really is.'
Howlett’s criminal record speaks volumes. In 2019, he was convicted of obtaining financial advantage by deception after conning a doctor into investing $150,000 in a film called Better Half. The money? Spent on personal luxuries like rent, travel, and fine dining. The film? Never completed. Yet, despite this history, Howlett remains at large, allegedly preying on new victims.
Here’s the burning question: How does someone with such a blatant track record continue to operate? Is it the allure of Hollywood that blinds people to the red flags? Or is Howlett simply a master manipulator, exploiting human trust with ruthless precision? One thing’s clear: his alleged victims are done staying silent. Taylor plans to report Howlett to Victoria Police and the Office of Public Prosecutions, determined to hold him accountable.
But accountability isn’t just about legal action. It’s about awareness. Howlett’s story is a cautionary tale for anyone chasing their dreams in an industry rife with opportunists. So, here’s your thought-provoking question: In a world where ambition often outweighs skepticism, how can we protect ourselves from predators like Howlett? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s start a conversation that could save someone from becoming the next victim.
