Injectable Institute Australia goes into liquidation after owner Michael Zillig dies

A chain of 16 cosmetic clinics in Sydney has gone into liquidation following the sudden death of its owner, leaving customers owed money for treatments that were paid for but never provided.

A chain of 16 cosmetic clinics in Sydney has gone into liquidation following the sudden death of its unlikely owner, leaving potentially hundreds of people owed money for treatments that were paid for but never provided.

Liquidators from Cor Cordis were appointed to Injectable Institute Australia (IIA) by the NSW Supreme Court on March 14 after a winding up application by IIA manager Juliet Young.

Ms Young filed the application in February — a week after the funeral of Sydney accountant Michael Zillig, who was IIA’s owner and sole director.

Mr Zillig died on January 29. He was 56.

He was originally from the Victorian town of Kyneton and a funeral notice published in the area’s newspaper said he “passed away suddenly”.

Mr Zillig was an accountant and Sydney partner at Lowensteins Arts Management.

His family and work colleagues did not respond when contacted.

Injectable Institute Australia owner Michael Zillig, who died suddenly in January. Source: Etributes.com.au

IIA was registered as a business in 2015, and had clinics from the Sutherland Shire to Central Coast and the CBD to Macarthur.

Cor Cordis said it was “continuing to quantify the company’s debts” and that a creditors’ report would be issued by June.

Injectable Institute Australia manager Juliet Young. Picture: Facebook

“There are no current office-holders of the company — the sole director and shareholder is deceased,” a spokeswoman said. “The company is insolvent.”

In February, customers also received text messages saying the business was shutting because of the owner’s death.

Some clients have claimed on social media that they were told by staff that a nurse had stolen funds from the business, causing it to fail, but there is no evidence to support this rumour.

Former staff contacted by The Daily Telegraph declined to comment.

NSW Fair Trading received 138 complaints about IIA in February, making it the most-complained-about business in the state.

A Facebook group of upset customers includes posts of people saying they are owed as much as $8900 for treatments that were paid for but not provided.

It has been reported that 165 people have already submitted a claim with the liquidator, although Cor Cordis would not confirm this.

Ms Young did not respond to a request for comment, nor did her lawyer.

The Facebook group was established with the goal of gathering support for a class action, and the people who began the group say they have been in discussions with lawyers.

Currently the group has 235 members. Many have reported being able to get refunds via bank chargeback.

While Mr Zillig was IIA’s only director and shareholder, historic versions of the company’s website suggest another person was instrumental in establishing the business.

Until recently the “About Us” section said IIA had flourished due to an unnamed woman’s “dedication to boosting people’s confidence and self-esteem.

“She worked tirelessly to make services available to more people, without compromising on their quality.”

The woman was described as the “founder”.

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