Media statements

Portable building provider to pay more than $2 million for ripping off Queenslanders
Monday 26 May 2025

Christopher Terrance Edards and his company Chace Roofing Sheds and Patios Pty Ltd have been ordered to pay more than $2 million in fines, compensation and other costs after they were found guilty of 38 counts of wrongly accepting payment under Australian Consumer Law in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court today.

Only duds: Facebook Marketplace seller fined after ripping off customer
Friday 23 May 2025

A Gold Coast demountable building supplier has been ordered to pay $10,000 and its representative has been ordered to pay more than $45,000 in fines and compensation in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today after pleading guilty to accepting payment and failing to supply goods within a specified period. Only Pods Pty Ltd and its representative, Lyndsay William Brown, left a consumer more than $37,000 out of pocket after they ordered a demountable building via Facebook Marketplace.

Queenslanders warned to avoid two dodgy SEQ tradies
Monday 16 Dec 2024

The marketplace regulator is warning consumers to avoid two tradies currently operating in South East Queensland, who each have a history of ripping people off. Public warnings have been issued for James Bruce Michael Darren Brown and his stair supply and installation and renovation businesses, and Matthew Geoffrey Rixon AKA Joseph J Sara and his fencing and renovation businesses.

Gold Coast wedding videographer fined $7500 after leaving newlyweds in the lurch
Monday 9 Dec 2024

A Gold Coast wedding videographer has been fined $7500 after an OFT investigation found he left seven newlywed couples in the lurch after failing to supply video services he was contracted for. James McDonald Connell, who traded as Anchored Cinemas, was found guilty of seven counts of wrongly accepting payment under Australian Consumer Law in the Southport Magistrates Court today.

Sunnybank real estate agent convicted
Thursday 24 Oct 2024

A Sunnybank real estate agent has been convicted following an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). Shih-Hao Huang and his company Property & Management People Pty Ltd, also had their real estate licences permanently disqualified.

Queenslanders warned to avoid online household goods and furniture retailer
Wednesday 25 Sep 2024

OFT is warning consumers to avoid Shanshan Han and their company T&R International Pty Ltd, trading as both T&R Sports and Sports Leisure, after they left numerous Queensland consumers in the lurch.

Sunnybank real estate agent receives hefty fine and 10-year ban
Friday 13 Sep 2024

Real Estate agent Phuc Ngoc Nguyen and her company Christopher Midas Pty Ltd, have been fined a total of $30,000 in the Holland Park Magistrates Court following an OFT investigation.

Gold Coast RV dealer to pay almost $550K for ripping off Queenslanders
Wednesday 28 Aug 2024

David Lindsay Thorley and his company Thorley Products Pty Ltd (trading as Spectrum RV) was found guilty of wrongly accepting payment from Queenslanders for recreational vehicles that weren't provided and was ordered to pay over $549,000 in fines, compensation and other costs after being taken to court by OFT for breaching Australian Consumer Law.

Fair Trading launches legal action against portable building provider
Monday 19 Aug 2024

The Office of Fair Trading has launched legal action against Christopher Terrance Edards and his company Chace Roofing Sheds and Patios Pty Ltd for alleged breaches of Australian Consumer Law. OFT alleges Mr Edards and his company took more than $1.3 million from consumers for portable buildings that were not provided.

Brisbane real estate agent jailed for fraud
Thursday 18 Jul 2024

Brisbane real estate agent, Peter Lakidis, has been jailed for taking more than $1.4 million of clients’ money from trust accounts to fund a gambling habit, following an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading .

Solar installer fined after failing to provide services
Thursday 20 Jun 2024

A solar installer—Louis Damien Stockwell, trading as Quantified Energy Consulting—has been fined $13,000, plus costs and ordered to pay over $10,000 in compensation after the Office of Fair Trading took him to court for failing to supply and install solar.

Brisbane transport and logistics companies fined $147K for appalling customer service
Friday 31 May 2024

Brisbane removalists, Agill Transport Pty Ltd and Buraq Transport and Logistics Pty Ltd have been fined for appalling customer service.

Consumers warned to avoid SEQ builder and online motor parts seller
Friday 5 Apr 2024 — Ministerial statement

Public warnings have been issued for online motor parts seller Japam Pty Ltd and its owner Jason Murray Warning also issued for South East Queensland building company Cre8tive Construction Group Pty Ltd and its owner Brendan Hawxwell.

Office of Fair Trading recovers more than $13 million for Queensland consumers
Wednesday 20 Mar 2024 — Ministerial statement

A massive $13 million was returned to Queenslanders’ pockets in 2023 with the Office of Fair Trading finalising a record number of complaints.

Looking for love online? Don’t let scammers leave you achy breaky this Valentine’s Day
Tuesday 13 Feb 2024 — Ministerial statement

Queenslanders looking for love online should be on high alert this Valentines Day, as new figures show almost $5 million was lost to dating and romance scams across the state last year.

Shady tradies using online marketplaces to rip-off consumers
Monday 12 Feb 2024 — Ministerial statement

Consumers are being warned to be wary of shady tradies operating on social media or online marketplaces.

Public Warning: Chace Roofing Sheds and Patios Pty Ltd
Thursday 18 Jan 2024

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning consumers to avoid dealing with Chace Roofing Sheds and Patios Pty Ltd, Chace Portables, and Christopher Terrance Edards.

Mezin Hadad banned from the Queensland motor industry for life
Thursday 18 Jan 2024

Mezin Hadad and his company Best Buy Auto Group Pty Ltd have been permanently banned from working in the motor industry

Avoid a trip to the ED this summer
Monday 11 Dec 2023

The Office of Fair Trading has some timely safety tips for families to enjoy a safe summer.

All we want for Christmas is you to be safe
Monday 4 Dec 2023 — Ministerial statement

Now in its 15th year, Operation Safe Christmas has wrapped up and 23 unsafe toys have been removed from retailers’ shelves in the lead up to the festive shopping period.

Queenslanders asked to stop and think this Scams Awareness Week
Thursday 30 Nov 2023

Queenslanders have been scammed out of more than $83 million this year.

Don’t get caught out in the frenzy of sales season
Thursday 16 Nov 2023

The OFT is warning consumers to be alert for scams and know their consumer rights when bagging a bargain and buying gifts during the end of year shopping season.

Bodies corporate, unit owners and land buyers better supported under new reforms
Tuesday 14 Nov 2023 — Ministerial statement

New body corporate laws and protections for ‘off the plan’ buyers have passed in Queensland Parliament.

Queensland’s savvy student shoppers win a share of $15,000
Friday 27 Oct 2023 — Ministerial statement

Thirty-eight students and 12 schools will share more than $15,000 in prize money awarded through this year’s Office of Fair Trading Buy Smart Competition.

Daniel Klaus found guilty again and he and his company ordered to pay more than $290,000
Friday 6 Oct 2023

Former owner of Viking Caravans & Campers Australia Pty Ltd taken back to court.

Safety in the spotlight for Ekka
Tuesday 15 Aug 2023 — Ministerial statement

Roll up, roll up, the Ekka is here and with this big event comes an alert for families to be on the lookout for dangerous toys and novelties when buying showbags or selecting prizes in sideshow alley.

Cairns real estate agent charged with 13 offences
Friday 11 Aug 2023

Cairns real estate agent Jocelyn Anne Strangman and her company Jokima Pty Ltd will have to pay over $13,300 in fines and compensation after pleading guilty to a total of 13 charges.

Unlicensed motor dealer sentenced to 6 months imprisonment
Friday 4 Aug 2023

A Brisbane man has been sentenced to 6 months imprisonment after being caught selling vehicles illegally despite being permanently disqualified.

Brisbane real estate agent jailed for fraud
Tuesday 13 Jun 2023

Newmarket real estate agent Graham John Patterson was sentenced to three years imprisonment in the Brisbane Supreme Court (13 June 2023) after pleading guilty to one count of fraud, as well as an additional five years imprisonment for other Queensland Police matters.

Not so ‘helpful hands’ lands fake charity in court
Tuesday 13 Jun 2023

David Oneeglio from Pottsville, New South Wales, has been prosecuted and fined $750 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court (12 June 2023) after requesting donations for his charity ‘Aussie Helper’ and ‘Aussie Helping Hands’ without approval.

Gold Coast woman sentenced to 6 months imprisonment
Wednesday 7 Jun 2023

A Gold Coast woman has been convicted for selling cars without a motor dealer licence.

Avoid scams while spoiling mum this Mother’s Day
Thursday 4 May 2023

The Office of Fair Trading is encouraging shoppers to be diligent when looking for Mother’s Day gifts, particularly online.

Office of Fair Trading cleans up dodgy bond cleaner
Wednesday 12 Apr 2023

On 6 April 2023 the Brisbane District Court granted a temporary injunction against Australia Bond Cleaning Services, Karunesh Kathuria and Amandeep Kaur banning them from operating.

Don’t put bad eggs in your basket this Easter
Thursday 6 Apr 2023

Being aware of the dangers lurking in everyday household items could prevent an unwanted gift of a trip to hospital this Easter.

Removalist company charged for deceptive tactics
Friday 24 Feb 2023

The OFT has taken a Brisbane based removalist company to court for deceptive practices.

Get your thinking caps on, the 2023 Buy Smart competition is open
Thursday 16 Feb 2023 — Ministerial statement

Do you know your consumer rights? Know how to spot a scam? Or do you have some handy budgeting tips? The Office of Fair Trading is calling on Queensland schools and students to get creative and share their knowledge by entering this year’s Buy Smart competition.

Reforms make it easier to redevelop ageing units in Queensland
Thursday 16 Feb 2023 — Ministerial statement

Following the October 2022 Housing Summit, the Palaszczuk Government has announced reforms to body corporate legislation to make it easier to sell and redevelop ageing or rundown community titles schemes in Queensland.

Don’t be a scam crossed lover this Valentine’s Day
Tuesday 14 Feb 2023 — Ministerial statement

Queenslanders looking for love this Valentine’s Day are being warned to be on alert for scammers vying to steal your money – not your heart. Last year, Queenslande

Over $11 million back in the hands of Queensland consumers
Monday 6 Feb 2023 — Ministerial statement

Following a spike in consumer complaints since the pandemic, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has announced it has successfully clawed back more than $11.2 million for Queensland consumers in 2022.

Consumers warned about marketplace tradies
Friday 3 Feb 2023

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning consumers to do their research before dealing with businesses advertising through social media or marketplaces.

Media alert: Bitumen bandits – Tamborine Mountain
Thursday 2 Feb 2023

The Office of Fair Trading is warning consumers of reports of an itinerant trader operating in the Tamborine Mountain area, offering bitumen laying services at an allegedly reduced cost.

Media alert: Bitumen bandits – Geebung
Wednesday 1 Feb 2023

The Office of Fair Trading is warning consumers of reports of an itinerant trader operating in the Geebung area of Brisbane, offering bitumen laying services at an allegedly reduced cost.

Queenslanders warned not to buy tickets from Dinosaur Festival
Wednesday 18 Jan 2023 — Ministerial statement

Queenslanders are being warned not to do business with Festival Ignite Pty Ltd, trading as Dinosaur Festival Australia (DFA).