Aron John Degotardi pleads not guilty to allegedly fleecing landlords, tourists of $570k in northern beaches’ holiday rental scam

An agent who allegedly set up a holiday home rental scam along Sydney’s northern beaches has pleaded not guilty to 42 dishonesty offences that netted him more than $570,000.

A letting agent has pleaded not guilty to allegedly fleecing dozens of landlords and tourists out of more than $570,000 in a large-scale holiday home scam on the northern beaches.

Police alleged that Aron John Degotardi, 52, failed to hand over rents that he collected on behalf of homeowners who rented their properties to tourists through his online agency.

One landlord was allegedly left more than $46,000 out of pocket after Degotardi leased a Collaroy property on her behalf, according to documents tendered to Manly Local Court.

Degotardi also allegedly booked a number of tourists into holiday lettings in beachside suburbs including Narrabeen, Palm Beach and Fairlight.

Police allege he took rent from them in advance, but the accommodation was not actually available for letting.

Aron John Degotardi, 52, of Anna Bay, outside Manly Local Court on April 30. He has pleaded not guilty to 42 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception over an alleged holiday rental scam on Sydney's northern beaches. Picture: Manly Daily

Manly Court was told on Wednesday that Degotardi, who lives at Anna Bay north of Newcastle, had formally pleaded not guilty to 42 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

After a month-long investigation by Northern Beaches detectives, officers from Strike Force Woodarra arrested Degotardi at a property near Port Stephens on March 13.

Aron Degotardi will defend allegations that he ripped off a total of $570,000 from landlords and tourists. Picture: Supplied.

He was initially hit with 31 charges, but another 11 charges were added last month.

Police said in March that the strike force was set up to investigate a “significant number of fraud reports” related to the letting of holiday rentals between Manly and Palm Beach.

Its officers investigated allegations that people booking holiday or weekend accommodation turned up to houses and apartments, only to find they were permanently occupied by residents with no knowledge their homes were advertised as short term rentals.

Others allegedly had bookings cancelled at the last minute after paying holding deposits.

Property owners alleged that Degotardi had collected holiday rents on their behalf, but then failed to hand over the cash.

The matter will be back for mention in Manly Local Court on July 9.