Detectives are believed to have recovered a series of texts to the alleged victim that include demands for money. Loading The head of the fraud and extortion squad, Detective Inspector Greg Bowd, confirmed the investigation. "One man has been charged and inquiries are ongoing," he said. Ms Williams had set up a GoFundMe page to raise $50,000 for the reality television project. At last count it had raised $840 although Ms Williams told the producer $10,000 in seeding money was supplied by an outlaw bikie from Sydney. Producer Ryan, 36, who did not want his surname published, told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald Ms Williams contacted him through an Instagram account three months ago to enlist his help for the project as producer and narrator.

He said that about a month ago he agreed to be the producer and had booked studios and a Hampton apartment for filming. "Everything was going smoothly. I was told to go to a celebration at Collingwood to announce great news. I took my mother and two children home and when I went back they just locked the door. "There were six people there including Roberta. I was told, 'Talk and we will kill you, your mother and the kids'. I was told, 'Talk and we will kill you, your mother and the kids'. Ryan, reality TV producer "They slapped me in the mouth, stomach, chest, she slapped me and choked me. They put electric flex around my neck. One guy pulled a pistol from his pants and put it to my head. He hit me on the thigh to make me sit down and then tied me up.

"They told me I owed them 20 grand. They said I'd got them the foot in the door and they didn't need me anymore. They said they had no use for me and I had to sign over my rights. "They put my phone on speaker and rang my mother, father and sister to get money transferred. They made me talk to them and said, 'Say anything wrong and we'll put one in you.' "Roberta kept screaming that they were going to kill me and the kids." Ryan's sister and father are believed to have transferred around $3000 that night, although the demands continued. "It was horrific, I thought I was going to die."

It was horrific, I thought I was going to die. Ryan, reality TV producer Ryan said he suffered a suspected fractured jaw and cheekbone. Bruising around his throat was still visible when he was seen by The Age more than a week after the alleged attack. His mother said she received a text from her son's phone that night saying, "Call the police ASAP". More than two hours later she received another stating, "I f---ed up and ripped people off. I'm fine and coming home". "I knew Ryan had not sent it as he never swears in a message to me," his mother said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video

Roberta Williams developed a public profile as the wife of drug boss and convicted killer Carl Williams. In 2010 Williams was bashed to death inside Barwon Prison after making statements implicating former policeman Paul Dale in the 2004 murder of informer Terry Hodson. Ryan said Ms Williams claimed to be paying off police for protection and journalists in exchange for positive publicity. Loading Ms Williams has been declared bankrupt with assets of $2022.80 and debts of $405,759.17. The debts include $24,000 in school fees, $20,000 for her former husband’s funeral and $26,000 to Centrelink. In a promotional video on the GoFundMe site Ms Williams says, "Wait to see the real me. Get to know me before you judge me. See the person I am then judge me. Then I will take your comments your criticism and won’t even complain."