The posters claim the business, which will "soon open" in Daylesford, will have "the hottest young girls in town" conducting massages while clad in bikinis.

The Courier understands the posters are allegedly the work of a notorious con man, who has in the past been called one of Australia's "most notorious con men" by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Numerous Daylesford residents have told The Courier that Bon Levi, who is known by a plethora of names including Ron the Con, Ron Frederick and Bonaldi Levi, is now living in the tourist town.

It is believed he moved to the small town some time ago, to be closer to family.

Now aged in his late 70s, Mr Levi, who travels about the town on an electric scooter, has a criminal history spanning decades.

While The Courier is not suggesting Mr Levi has committed any offences in the region, the proposed business is eerily similar to other enterprises - including Bikini Girl Massage parlours and snack food delivery - which have landed him in courts across Australia.

He has served time in prison, including in the United States, for offences including fraud.

The fraudulent business activity has sparked Australian governments to issue warnings, including the Government of Western Australia.

In 2006, WA Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said Mr Levi was "very bad news".

In 2010, legal action was brought against him. Mr Levi plead guilty at the Western Australia Magistrates Court to charges of misleading employees and operating an unregistered business. He was fined almost $20,000.

Since then, the WA government has issued further warnings, including that the operators of the "Bikini Girls Massage" business, including Mr Levi, were "permanently restrained" from conducting unregistered business or placing misleading recruitment advertisements in the state.

Pasted on the windows of Howe and Vincent Street businesses - including across the road from the primary school - the botchy posters popping up around Daylesford are very similar to those which Mr Levi has used to promote business ventures in the past.

Appearing around Daylesford during the past couple of weeks, the posters appear to feature porn star Aletta Ocean, and state the masseuses would make thousands of dollars in income each week.

A snack food delivery driver is also being sought.

Also similar to how businesses were advertised elsewhere, the creator of the poster is seeking an investor to pump $40,000 into the massage business, promising a return of $160,000 a year.

A classifieds notice advertising a 'snack business' and promising "big cash daily", and featuring the same phone number as on the poster, appeared in a Daylesford newspaper in February this year.

An employee of one Daylesford business, located on Vincent Street, said a man named 'Bon' often visited.

She said the man often told staff that he had made "millions of dollars" throughout his life and often used the photocopier.

The employee said the man made the young girls who worked at the store uncomfortable, so they would often complete tasks "out the back" until he left.

Another Daylesford resident, who has asked only to be called Jay, found one of the posters on a Howe Street business last Friday and immediately recognised it.

Jay said it was important for the community to be aware of who Mr Levi is, and that he is in the town.

"I am concerned that he is approaching people," he said.

"You see how many people he has got money out of in the past and I just don't want him to rip off someone in this town."

When The Courier contacted the number listed on the poster, it was answered by an elderly sounding man who hung up after a question about the similarity between the poster and other posters involved in scams across Australia was asked.

Several residents in the town have also dialled the number and a different name has been given by the man on the other end each time, though it is understood the name 'Bon' has been given at least once.

IN OTHER NEWS:

A Hepburn Shire Council spokesperson said the council was aware of the unauthorised flyers being posted across Daylesford.

"[Council] is undertaking efforts to remove the posters and find the person posting them."

The council has not received an application for a Bikini Girls Massage Parlour, or has it approved proposed use.

A Consumer Affairs spokesperson said:

"It's appalling there are scammers out there who are trying to con Victorians out of their hard-earned money.

"Anyone with concerns about a potential scam should report it to Consumer Affairs Victoria."

No reports of criminal activity have been made to police, but anyone with information is urged to contact:

Daylesford Police Station on 5348 2342 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.