Court outcomes

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) takes compliance and enforcement action against businesses and regulated industries who fail to meet their legal obligations under laws we administer. The type of enforcement action we take depends on the circumstances and is guided by our compliance and enforcement policy. Read about our compliance program.

Most of OFT’s court actions relate to businesses breaching Australian Consumer Law (ACL). ACL applies to businesses in all states and territories.

The OFT can prosecute a person or organisation when it believes fair trading legislation has been breached. A court decides if the law has been broken and, if so, whether to issue an order or a fine.

For example, depending on the issues involved orders could:

  • require the business to remedy their conduct (e.g. paying restitution or replacing a product) with customers or anyone else who has been negatively affected
  • void, change or refuse to enforce the terms of a contract
  • in the case of people and organisations licensed by OFT, cancel the business’s licence or place conditions on them.

A court can order a fine to punish an activity, prevent the business from reoffending, set a precedent or send a message to the community.

Depending on the action the OFT takes, the court can order:

  • civil fines—if the fine is not paid, the business’s assets may be taken and sales actions or bankruptcy proceedings may be needed
  • criminal fines—if the fine is not paid, it may lead to imprisonment.

Prosecution action register

The register below lists prosecution actions the OFT has taken to help consumers stay informed when buying goods and services.

Each entry lists the:

  • date of the action
  • location of where the action is taken
  • name of the entity prosecuted (this may be a person or an organisation or both)
  • offence(s) committed and under which legislation
    • ACL
    • Agents Financial Administration Act 2014
    • Collections Act 1966
    • Criminal Code Act 1899
    • Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act 2014
    • Property Occupations Act 2014
  • outcome of the prosecution action, including the fine and compensation ordered.

2024

Hayden Lee Carter

Date: 1 March 2024

Court: Holland Park Magistrates Court

Industry: Roof repairs

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $3,000

Compensation order: $5,135.62

Conviction recorded: No

Jamie Pamela Miller trading as Earth Homewares

Date: 26 February 2024

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Retail

Charges: 8 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $9,000

Compensation order: Nil—refunds paid prior to sentencing

Conviction recorded: No

Jakob Alexander Goonan

Date: 13 February 2024

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Metal fabrication

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Fine: $2,000

Compensation: $1,150

Conviction recorded: No

Ronald William McDonald

Date: 1 February 2024

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $10,000

Compensation order: $6,200

Conviction recorded: No

Billy Melgar Badani and iRent Property Management Pty Ltd

Date: 19 January 2024

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Real estate

Charges:

  • 16 counts—s22(5), Agents Financial Administration Act
  • 4 counts—s21(2), Agents Financial Administration Act

Fine:

  • Billy Melgar Badani—$10,000
  • iRent Property Management Pty Ltd—$5,000

Conviction recorded: Yes—iRent Property Management Pty Ltd

Wayne Alan Jaenke

Date: 10 January 2024

Court: Ipswich Magistrates Court

Industry: Real estate

Charges: 1 count of dishonestly converting trust money for own use—s206(2)(a), Property Occupations Act

Conviction recorded: Yes

Other order: Imprisonment for 6 months wholly suspended for 2 years

Filemoni Iakopo Amato

Date: 9 January 2024

Court: Richlands Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $3,500

Compensation order: $1,700

Conviction recorded: No

2023

Karunesh Kathuria and Amandeep Kaur, Trustees of Australia Bond Cleaning Services Trust

Date: 15 December 2023

Court: Brisbane District Court

Industry: Cleaning services

Contravene: Sections 18, 29 and 34, ACL

Court order:

  • Permanent injunction to restrain both defendants from operating a cleaning business or providing cleaning, pest control or carpet cleaning services
  • Defendants ordered to pay compensation to consumers

Devender Singh, Wish Clean Pty Ltd and CBCG Pty Ltd

Date: 15 December 2023

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Cleaning services

Charges:

  • CBCG Pty Ltd
    • 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL
    • 1 count of making false or misleading representations—s151(1)(b),ACL
  • Wish Clean Pty Ltd
    • 6 counts of making false or misleading representations—s151(1)(b),ACL
    • 2 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Devender Singh charged conjointly with Wish Clean Pty Ltd and CBCG Pty Ltd.

Fine:

  • CBCG Pty Ltd fined $2,000
  • Wish Clean Pty Ltd fined $8,000

Conviction recorded: No

Benjamin David Bickford

Date: 15 December 2023

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction—Fencing

Charges:

  • 2 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL
  • 1 count of making a false or misleading representation—s151(1)(h), ACL

Fine: $15,000

Compensation order: $13,355.50

Conviction recorded: No

Steve Fawaz Mousa Qaqish

Date: 8 December 2023

Court: Beenleigh Magistrates Court

Industry: Motor—odometer tampering

Charges: 3 counts of false representations about mileage—s218, Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act

Fine: $12,000

Conviction recorded: No

Casey Jake Boardman

Date: 8 December 2023

Court: Pine Rivers Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction—fencing

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Fine: $4,500

Compensation order: $1,407.50

Conviction recorded: No

Robert Waine Tayler

Date: 8 December 2023

Court: Strathpine Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction—roof restoration

Charges:

  • 2 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL
  • 1 count of making a false or misleading representation—s151(1)(h), ACL

Fine: $38,000

Compensation order: $5,680

Conviction recorded: Yes

Juan Paul Lehndorf

Date: 1 December 2023

Court: Ipswich Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction—retaining wall

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $5,000

Compensation order: $4,287.64

Conviction recorded: Yes

Leanne Kiehne

Date: 27 November 2023

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Real estate

Charges: 1 count of acting as a property agent—s97(1), Property Occupations Act

Fine: $1,000

Compensation order: Nil

Other costs ordered to pay: 

  • $700 professional costs
  • $100 court costs

Conviction recorded: No

Janelle Faye Eastwood 

Date: 17 November 2023

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Real estate

Charges: 1 count of fraud—s408C(1)(d) Criminal Code Act

Compensation order: Nil

Other order: 6 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years

Conviction recorded: Yes

Veon Royce Burke trading as JVM Trimming

Date: 13 November 2023

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Marine upholstery

Charges: 3 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $5,000

Compensation order: $4,874

Conviction recorded: Yes

Giorgio Lucas Nichols and Autofreaks Pty Ltd trading as FAF Automotive

Date: 13 November 2023 (reheard 8 January 2024)

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Automotive products

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine:

  • Giorgio Lucas Nichols fined $500
  • Autofreaks Pty Ltd fined $5,000

Compensation order: $3,409.96

Conviction recorded: No

Vanessa Cox and Tricky Betty Pty Ltd trading as Catfish Cosmetic

Date: 13 November 2023

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Cosmetic

Charges:

  • 2 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL
  • 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Fine:

  • Vanessa Cox fined $12,000
  • Tricky Betty Pty Ltd fined $12,000

Compensation order: $4,395

Conviction recorded: No

Cameron Jeffrey Dowel

Date: 10 November 2023

Court: Beenleigh Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges:

  • 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL
  • 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $25,000

Compensation order: $23,567.40

Conviction recorded: Yes

Darryl Noel Harbottle

Date: 23 October 2023

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction—Fencing

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $3,500

Compensation order: $2,750

Conviction recorded: No

Erin Elizabeth McKenna and Curve Bridal Boutique Pty Ltd

Date: 20 October 2023

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Retail

Charges: 3 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Fine:

  • Erin Elizabeth McKenna fined $5,000
  • Curve Bridal Boutique Pty Ltd fined $15,000

Compensation order: $5,750

Conviction recorded: No

Daniel Robert Klaus and Brewed Brewery Pty Ltd

Date: 5 October 2023

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Motor—Caravan

Charges:

  • Daniel Klaus—3 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL
  • Brewed Brewery—1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine:

  • Daniel Klaus fined $90,000
  • Brewed Brewery Pty Ltd fined $30,000

Compensation order: $171,200

Other costs ordered to pay: $4,715.95

Conviction recorded: Yes

Read the media statement about this action.

Jarred James Symons

Date: 6 October 2023

Court: Pine Rivers Magistrates Court

Industry: Visual Art—sculpture

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Fine: $6,000

Compensation order: $3,525

Conviction recorded: Yes

Binit Sheth and Aussie Sun Solar Pty Ltd

Date: 6 October 2023

Court: Holland Park Magistrates Court

Industry: Solar energy

Charges: 2 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine:

  • Binith Sheth fined $18,000
  • Aussie Sun Solar Pty Ltd fined $50,000

Compensation order: $7,900

Conviction recorded: Yes

Donata Tuhura

Date: 18 September 2023

Court: Ipswich Magistrates Court

Industry: Cleaning services

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: Refer to 11 August 2023 outcome

Compensation order: $350

Conviction recorded: Yes

Matthew John Rhodin

Date: 11 September 2023

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Motor vehicle sales

Charges: 

  • 1 count of unlicensed motor dealer—s119(1), Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act
  • 1 count of misrepresenting goods are of a standard—s151(1)(a), ACL

Fine: $5,000

Compensation order: $2,599

Conviction recorded: Yes

Niravkumar Somabhai Patel

Date: 1 September 2023

Court: Holland Park Magistrates Court

Industry: Motor

Charges: 3 counts of false representations about mileage—s218, Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act

Fine: $10,000

Compensation order: Nil

Conviction recorded: No

Hayden Thomas Cowley

Date: 1 September 2023

Court: Pine Rivers Magistrates Court

Industry: Landscaping

Charges: 2 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Fine: $2,500

Compensation order: $2,178

Conviction recorded: No

Colin James Lawlor

Date: 31 August 2023

Court: Beaudesert Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $10,000

Compensation order: $3,200

Conviction recorded: Yes

Lauren Lesley Hall

Date: 17 August 2023

Court: Maroochydore Magistrates Court

Industry: Real estate

Charges:

  • 1 count of acting as a real estate salesperson—s151(1), Property Occupations Act
  • 2 counts of giving false and misleading documents—s221(1), Property Occupations Act

Fine: $8,000

Compensation order: Nil

Other order: Disqualified from holding a real estate licence for 5 years

Conviction recorded: Yes

Shannon John Holman

Date: 15 August 2023

Court: Richlands Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $6,000

Compensation order: $4,450

Conviction recorded: Yes

Donata Tuhura

Date: 11 August 2023

Court: Beenleigh Magistrates Court

Industry: Cleaning services

Charges: 2 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $20,000

Compensation order: $650

Conviction recorded: Yes

Jocelyn Strangman and Jokima Pty Ltd

Date: 11 August 2023

Court: Cairns Magistrates Court

Industry: Real estate

Charges: 13 breaches of the Property Occupations Act and the Agents Financial Administration Act

Fine:

  • Jocelyn Strangman—$2,000
  • Jokima Pty Ltd—$6,500

Compensation: $4,894.69

Conviction recorded: No

Read the media statement about this action.

Jung Wook Moon

Date: 4 August 2023

Court: Holland Park Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $4,000

Conviction recorded: Yes

John Gary Ivanoff

Date: 4 August 2023

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Motor

Charges: Unlicensed motor dealer—s119(1), Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act

Conviction recorded: Yes

Other order: 6 months imprisonment

Read the media statement about this action.

Hayley Birtles-Eades

Date: 2 August 2023

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Charity

Charges: 1 count of conducting of unlawful appeals for support—s10, Collections Act

Order: Recognisance of $400 and good behaviour bond for 6 months

Conviction recorded: No

Adam Sean Johns

Date: 10 July 2023

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges:

  • 3 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL
  • 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Fine: $2,000

Compensation order: $13,650

Conviction recorded: Yes

Keren Iluz-Cohen

Date: 10 July 2023

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Retail

Charges: 8 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $5,000

Compensation order: $10,590

Conviction recorded: Yes

Brendan Allan Gebel

Date: 10 July 2023

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges: 2 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $1,000

Compensation order: $3,461

Conviction recorded: Yes

Graham John Patterson

Date: 13 June 2023

Court: Brisbane Supreme Court

Industry: Real estate

Charges: Trust account fraud—s408C(1)(a)(i), Criminal Code Act

Conviction recorded: Yes

Other order: Imprisonment for 3 months

Read the media statement about this action.

David Oneeglio

Date: 12 June 2023

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Charity

Charges:

  • 1 count of conducting unlawful appeal for support—s10(1)(b), Collections Act
  • 1 count of failing to comply with lawful requirements—s37(1)(a), Collections Act

Fine: $750

Conviction recorded: No

Read the media statement about this action.

Emilia Lloyd

Date: 18 May 2023

Court: Southport Magistrates Court

Industry: Acting as motor dealer

Charges: 1 count of unlicensed motor dealer— s119(1), Motor Dealers and Chattel Auctioneers Act

Conviction recorded: Yes

Other order: 6 months imprisonment

Read the media statement about this action.

Cory Mark Wallace

Date: 12 May 2023

Court: Beenleigh Magistrates Court

Industry: Automotive

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Fine: $2,000

Compensation: $750

Conviction recorded: No

Other order: 3 weeks to pay compensation or face imprisonment for 8 days

Michael John Clowes

Date: 5 May 2023

Court: Pine Rivers Magistrates Court

Industry: Retail

Charges:

  • 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL
  • 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine: $3,000

Compensation: $3,660

Conviction recorded: No

Jacob Anthony Moratti

Date: 17 April 2023

Court: Cleveland Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges:

  • 6 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL
  • 2 counts of false or misleading representations—s151(1)(h), ACL

Fine: $35,000

Compensation: $21,266.20

Conviction recorded: Yes

Joshua Anthony Ward

Date: 14 April 2023

Court: Pine Rivers Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(i), ACL

Fine: $10,000

Compensation: $1,200

Conviction recorded: No

John Graeme Palmer and NGSW Group Pty Ltd

Date: 28 March 2023

Court: Beaudesert Magistrates Court

Industry: Retail

Charges: 1 count of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b)(ii), ACL

Fine:

  • John Palmer—$5,000
  • NGSW Group Pty Ltd—$10,000

Compensation: $2,320

Conviction recorded: Yes

Rahul Nagpal and Nagpal Transport Pty Ltd

Date: 23 February 2023

Court: Holland Park Magistrates Court

Industry: Relocation services

Charges: Various ACL breaches

Fine:

  • Rahul Nagpal—$6,000
  • Nagpal Transport Pty Ltd—$10,000

Compensation: Nil

Conviction recorded: No

Read the media statement about this action.

John Clayton Fell and Bespoke Building Concepts Pty Ltd

Date: 17 February 2023

Court: Brisbane Magistrates Court

Industry: Construction

Charges: 2 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7), ACL

Fine: $20,000

Compensation: $1,895

Conviction recorded: No

Matthew John Moorcroft Carey

Date: 3 February 2023

Court: Pine Rivers Magistrates Court

Industry: Retail

Charges: 10 counts of wrongly accepting payment and failing to supply—s158(7)(a)(b), ACL

Fine: $10,000

Compensation: $14,915.30

Conviction recorded: No

Read the media statement about this action.