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Consumer Affairs Victoria has commenced criminal proceedings against two agents, from a well-known real estate group, who face lengthy jail terms if found guilty.
The action was brought against Truc Thanh Le Nguyen, also known as Judy Nguyen, and Tri Duc Ngo, also known as Joseph Ngo, after they were allegedly embroiled in a scandal that shook Melbourne’s eastern and south-eastern suburbs last year and left homeowners and tenants millions of dollars out of pocket.
At the time, Ms Nguyen was principal of LJ Hooker franchises in Glen Waverley, Keysborough, Mount Waverley, Burwood, Doncaster and Box Hill. Mr Ngo was an employee agent in the same offices.
All six offices are owned by JNT Law Investments (JNT). Ms Nguyen is the sole director of JNT.
Ms Nguyen has been charged with 216 offences and Mr Ngo has been charged with 188 offences for alleged breaches of the Estate Agents Act 1980.
All the offences fall under section 55: restriction on agent purchasing property, section 59: requirement for trust money to be paid into a trust account, section 63: duty to keep accounts of trust money received and section 91: wrongful conversion and false accounts.
If found guilty, the pair could face imprisonment of up to 12 years, be fined or both.
Consumer Affairs Victoria approved 58 Victorian Property Fund claims from JNT clients for losses arising from the alleged defalcation of trust funds totalling more than $2 million.
It also authorised the payment of an additional 21 claims for rent money from the balance of the estate agent’s rental trust account, totalling more than $34,000.
After client complains about missing money surfaced in April last year, Ms Nguyen claimed it had been lost after the office accounts had been hacked. She blamed Mr Ngo for the missing cash.
Ms Nguyen and Mr Ngo were married at the time the alleged offences took place, but are believed to be separated now.
All six of the offices have been permanently closed.
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