Gladiator Australia Star Falls Victim to Reality TV Scam

Gladiator Australia star Damien Rider, best known by his stage name Cobra, has unfortunately fallen victim to a deceitful reality TV scam.

Having previously competed on shows like The Bachelorette Australia, Damien is familiar with the world of television. However, his latest encounter was far from what he expected.

The muscular Gladiator, known for his remarkable physical feats, has pushed a three-tonne truck along the Gold Coast, skateboarded the entire Route 66 in the Mojave Desert, and paddled 800km from the Gold Coast to Bondi to raise awareness for the cause of ‘Paddle Against Child Abuse’.

In recognition of his incredible accomplishments, Damien Rider was crowned Men's Health Man of the Year in 2015 and was even nominated twice for Australian of the Year.

Following his appearance on The Bachelorette, Damien received an intriguing offer to participate in another reality TV show, this time in Indonesia. He was contacted by someone claiming to be Wendy Murdoch, the ex-wife of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.

Intrigued by the prospect, Damien engaged in conversations about a possible television series after the imposter claimed to have read about him in the Australian edition of Men’s Health. They exchanged documents, including non-disclosure agreements, pilot scripts, and schedules.

Curiosity led Damien to personally meet the supposed showrunners, so he traveled to Jakarta at his own expense. Upon arrival, he was chauffeured 4.5 hours away from the airport and accommodated in a luxurious five-star hotel. At this point, he handed over $1000, believing everything was legitimate.

During his stay, Damien even found himself engaged in conversations with the supposed Wendy Murdoch and Lorraine Jobs, the widow of tech mogul Steve Jobs.

However, suspicion started creeping in, and Damien decided to return to Australia and report the matter to the police. It was then discovered that the reality TV show had been a scam, and the case was handed over to the FBI.

It is a disappointing turn of events for Damien Rider, who had initially hoped for another successful foray into reality television. Meanwhile, Gladiators Australia 2024 continues to captivate audiences on Channel 10 and 10Play, showcasing thrilling athletic competitions.