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Woman accused of posing as Aussie soap star to 'catfish' others

A woman who allegedly posed as an Aussie soap opera heart-throb to prey on the emotions of young women has failed in a court bid to keep her family out of the public eye.

Melbourne's Lydia Abdelmalek, 29, has been charged with six counts of stalking and is accused of assuming various alias, including that of Home and Away actor Lincoln Lewis.

Her lawyer, John Yianoulatos, made an unsuccessful bid for a suppression order to be placed over her church, her job and siblings' employers during a hearing at Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Home and Away actor Lincoln Lewis pictured at the 2018 AACTA Awards. A Melbourne woman allegedly used his image to prey on young women online.
Melbourne's Lydia Abdelmalek, 29, allegedly pretended to be Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis (pictured) to prey on young women online. Source: AAP

"There were threats made to my client's safety... but her family has not received threats," Mr Yianoulatos told the court before his application was dismissed.

Magistrate Stephen Ballek placed a suppression order on the names of victims and their families to "avoid causing undue distress and embarrassment".

Abdelmalek sat in court with her arm around her mother.

News of her alleged 'catfish' activity, used in one instance to form a deceptive online relationship with a former acquaintance of Lewis, made national headlines when the case surfaced in April.

Pictured is Melbourne woman Lydia Abdelmalek. She's accused of using Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis to catfish women.
Ms Abdelmalek allegedly dedicated four years to catfishing. Source: Sunrise/ Facebook

Abdelmalek is accused of publishing online material relating to the victim, tracing electronic communications and making threats.

She dedicated about four years from May 2011 to stalking, it is alleged.

She is accused of using the phone, post, social media and emails to communicate with her victims while located in Lalor in Melbourne's north.

Abdelmalek left court before a decision was made on her suppression bid and her mother later refused to comment to waiting media, tripping as she left.

The 29-year-old’s matter is expected to return to court on June 6.

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