We have started legal action against Hans Eric Richmond, 69, of Officer.
We allege Mr Richmond breached Victoria's conveyancing laws by:
- working as a conveyancer when he was not licensed, and
- leading four consumers to believe he was licensed or authorised to run a conveyancing business.
We allege that Mr Richmond's offences took place between June 2016 and March 2018.
The Business Licensing Authority cancelled Mr Richmond's licence in 2013. This was after he was found guilty of a disqualifying offence.
The court action follows an earlier investigation, based on consumer complaints we received.
The penalties for unlicensed conveyancing include up to two years’ jail or a fine of more than $39,000.
The same consumers also allege Mr Richmond obtained more than $79,000 by deception from them. We referred these matters to Victoria Police, who are taking action against Mr Richmond in relation to them.
The Dandenong Magistrates' Court will hear both matters.