Jason Caruana, Technopods tiny homes director fined $200k

Victims of a tiny homes builder, who collected more than $200,000 and promised houses to 11 customers but never delivered, have shared the devastating impact on their lives.

Technopods director Jason Caruana leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court charged with 11 counts of failure to provide goods.

Victims of a tiny homes builder, who collected more than $200,000 and promised houses to 11 customers but never delivered, have shared the devastating impact on their lives.

Jason Francis Caruana, director of Amphibia Engineering and Technopods, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court to 11 counts of accepting payment and failing to provide goods.

The total money owed across 11 different victims was $202,000, the court heard on May 2.

Tiny homes are affordable, small buildings that can easily be moved and have become popular because of the affordability crisis.

The court heard some of Caruana’s victims were on low incomes and had turned to tiny homes in desperation as they could afford nothing else.

One victim, Julie Rogers, told Quest News that she was coming out of a domestically violent relationship and was looking to “find her feet’’ when she saw Caruana’s online advertisements for tiny homes at Steiglitz in the northern Gold Coast.

“I had escaped a very violent domestic situation. I was a single mum at the age of 51 and I needed security,” Ms Rogers stated.

“I went and got two personal loans and purchased a tiny house from him (Caruana).

“I was nearing the end of my lease at my rental, he kept promising it would come but it never did.

“When I had to leave my rental I became homeless and was couch surfing at 51, as my home wasn’t done.”

Maddy Dyba, Julie Rogers and Zigy Smith are some of the victims of Caruana’s tiny homes scam.

Aside from the financial impact, she stated there was emotional damage done by Caruana that could never be put right.

“The furniture I planned to put into my home was my late brother’s and meant a lot to me,” Ms Rogers said.

“I never got that back and that was really special to me.”

The court heard Caruana sold the houses between March and December, 2020 for about $50,000.

Customers could pay outright or provide an initial deposit, then own the home after completing all the payments.

Of the 11 victims, seven said their homes were never provided. The other four houses were in an unlivable condition.

Investigating prosecution officer with Queensland Building and Construction Commission, Andrew Blaine, told the court he was assigned in February 20, 2021 to investigate Technopods.

“There were eight complainants and that grew to 11,” he said.

“Most of the tiny home purchasers were low income earners.

“It became apparent very quickly the company was insolvent and my conclusion was (Caruana) had taken money and failed to supply the adequate homes.”

The court heard both of Caruana’s companies went into voluntary administration in 2021.

Caruana was self-represented in court.

Three of his victims — Maddy Dyba, Julie Rogers and Zigy Smith — were present in court.

“I appreciate the impact this has had on you, I have no money anymore, I’ve lost everything,” Caruana told the court.

Magistrate Shane Elliott replied: “So did the people at the back (referring to the victims).”

“You never expressed genuine remorse for the victims of this crime,’’ he said.

“Many complainants come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“They don’t have access to a lot of funds.

“You have limited insight and were trying to blame others.”

He was fined $30,000 and ordered to pay compensation of $202,000 to the 11 victims.

Convictions were recorded.