‘TikTok Trickster’ with more than 30 aliases accused of swindling gal pals he met online
A man accused of running a long string of romance scams across several states is now back in Alabama to face charges tied to one of the alleged incidents.
Brenton Fillers, 57, was returned to Baldwin County on Friday after being extradited, as authorities continue building cases against him. Investigators say he targeted women he met online, forming relationships before taking vehicles, money, and other valuables.
Police in Spanish Fort have been searching for Fillers since 2023, when he allegedly took a woman’s car under the pretense of getting it repaired. According to her account, she only realized the vehicle had been stolen after he left the state. She later described the scope of the situation as overwhelming, noting that numerous women appear to have been affected.
She also provided a voicemail in which Fillers apologized and asked for forgiveness, saying he didn’t want her to be upset over the car and claimed he believed he was doing the right thing.
Authorities say that just days before that incident, Fillers was involved in a similar situation in Texas. In that case, he allegedly left another woman after taking a rental car, along with her credit cards and cash.
Other women have come forward with similar stories. One in Indiana said Fillers lived with her for months before disappearing without warning. During their relationship, she said she gave him more than $30,000 after he claimed to be suffering from serious medical conditions, including a bleeding ulcer and brain cancer.
Investigators also say Fillers frequently used false identities. His ex-wife, Darla, reportedly believed his name was Brett Knight for years. He even showed her graves he claimed belonged to his parents under that name. Records indicate he has used more than 30 aliases, including names such as Maynard Hatchers, Wayne Bretton, and Austin Rikker.
Fillers was first taken into custody in 2023 by University of Kentucky police, at which point he was already wanted in multiple states, including Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The charges were connected to alleged theft schemes, along with a separate accusation of aggravated sexual assault of a child in Texas.
Details about why he was released in Kentucky remain unclear. He was later arrested again in North Carolina in January.
In Alabama, his bond has been set at $7,500, and he is expected to be arraigned on June 3. Spanish Fort Police Chief John Barber has indicated he will seek a higher bond, citing concerns that Fillers poses a significant flight risk. Previously, he had been held on a $100,000 bond in North Carolina.
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