Former senior real estate agent Lauren Herkess convicted of $18k fraud
A Central Coast real estate agent who misappropriated more than $18,000 in trust money has been convicted and sentenced, after a scheme involving fake rental bond claims was uncovered.
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A Central Coast real estate agent who misappropriated more than $18,000 in trust money has been convicted and sentenced, after a scheme involving fake rental bond claims was uncovered.
Lauren Herkess, 37, was sentenced in Parramatta Local Court last month after pleading guilty to two charges of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Court documents reveal that between August 1, 2019 and May 24, 2021, Herkess dishonestly obtained a financial advantage for herself totalling $14,792.53.
According to the documents, Herkess submitted 12 claims to the Commissioner of Fair Trading, Department of Customer Service, for the release of rental bond moneys, each falsely representing that the refund was genuine and was to be paid to the tenants in respect of whom the claims were made.
The documents also reveal between June 26, 2019 and December 23, 2019, Herkess again dishonestly obtained a financial advantage for herself through deception, amounting to $3453.66.
Court papers state that, without authorisation, Herkess initiated seven transfers from Gosford Real Estate Pty Ltd’s trust account to multiple bank accounts held by her.
For both offences, magistrate Peter Feather convicted and sentenced Herkess to a community correction order for a period of two years, expiring on April 8, 2027.
NSW Fair Trading said the court found her actions were deliberate and constituted a gross breach of trust.
“NSW Fair Trading remains committed to upholding trust and integrity in the real estate industry and will continue to act against those who breach public confidence.”
Katie Tilden Bingham, the chief operating officer of Raine and Horne Gosford, said they were committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability and transparency in all aspects of their business.
“As soon as we discovered the issue, we acted swiftly, conducting a full internal investigation and working closely with NSW Fair Trading to support the prosecution,” Ms Bingham said.
“This was not a quick matter; the investigation and legal process took several years and we remained committed throughout to ensuring that justice was served.
“Importantly, Raine and Horne Gosford was not fined or penalised. Authorities recognised that we acted responsibly, recovered all misappropriated funds and ensured that no customers suffered any financial loss.
“Raine & Horne Gosford is a second-generation, family-run local business that has proudly served the Central Coast community for over 35 years with an unblemished record.”
In 2020, Herkess, then a senior manager, was inducted into Raine and Horne’s prestigious “Chairman’s Club”.
According to her profile, she said “I’ve always wanted to work in an industry that I was passionate about and I’ve learnt that one of the keys to happiness is loving what you do”.
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