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

• Former owner of Viking Caravans & Campers Australia Pty Ltd taken back to court.
• Mr Klaus has been ordered to pay back consumers $171,200.00.

Gold Coast caravan company owner Daniel Robert Klaus  and his company Brewed Brewery Pty Ltd have been ordered to pay more than $290,000.00 in fines and compensation. This was the second time Mr Klaus has been prosecuted by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Daniel Robert Klaus, former owner of Viking Caravans & Campers Australia Pty Ltd, was absent from his hearing in the Southport Magistrates Court on 5 October 2023 but was found guilty and convicted of three counts of accepting payments and failing to supply goods under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). His company Brewed Brewery Pty Ltd was convicted of a fourth count.

The court heard that between October and November 2020, Mr Klaus took deposits from consumers totalling $171,200 to build and supply caravans.

After several months passed none of the consumers received their caravans, with Mr Klaus providing repeated excuses as to why they were not built.

In addition to the compensation owed to consumers, Mr Klaus was fined $90,000.00 and ordered to reimburse witness and court costs totalling $4,715.95.  Brewed Brewery Pty Ltd, was also fined $30,000.00.

Magistrate Wilson ordered that a conviction be recorded against both Mr Klaus and Brewed Brewery Pty Ltd.

In 2022 Mr Klaus and Viking Caravans & Campers Australia Pty Ltd pled guilty to a total of 16 charges laid by the OFT, including failing to supply caravans to consumers and trading without a motor dealer licence.

The OFT encourages consumers who have purchased goods or services from a business but have not received them to approach the trader for a refund in the first instance. If unsuccessful, they can lodge a complaint online or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).