A property manager employed by a Mandurah real estate agency has been fined $6,000 and will be made to cover court costs, after being found guilty of taking money from the agency's trust account.
Kylie Jo-Anne Thomas was convicted on Tuesday December 8, for making unauthorised withdrawals from the trust account in breach of the Real Estate and Business Agents Act.
In August and September last year, she had replaced the bank account details of four clients with those of her own bank account in the agency's property management computer system.
Authorities found nine unauthorised transactions were re-directed to Ms Thomas' personal bank account over the two month period amounting to $7,186.88.
The unauthorised withdrawals were discovered when one of the owners alerted the manager of the agency.
The properties involved were in Furnissdale, Ravenswood, Dawesville and Port Kennedy.
Ms Thomas, whose registration expired in July 2019, had made arrangements to pay back to money
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Penny Lipscombe said the illegal actions of Ms Thomas were blatant dishonesty.
"Being a senior staff member at the agency, Ms Thomas was entrusted with access to the agency's property management system but she exploited her position for her own financial gain by virtually stealing money from property owners," she said.
"Regular audits of trust accounts by agency principals and by Consumer Protection officers will quickly bring to light any discrepancies and attempts to defraud the system. If breaches of the law are discovered, criminal prosecution of disciplinary action will quickly follow."
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