Slade Small: South Coast, Illawarra real estate agent pleads guilty to fraud

From an elderly retiree to a mother and daughter duo, the victims of a fraud scheme have been revealed as disgraced South Coast and Illawarra realtor Slade Small pleads guilty to swindling more than $300,000 in house deposits.

A disgraced real estate agent who swindled hundreds of thousands of dollars from house sales across the South Coast spent the funds on betting services Neds, Ladbrokes, and Bet365, as well as on cryptocurrency.

Slade Small pleaded guilty at Nowra Local Court on Monday to five counts of dishonestly obtaining advantage by deception after defrauding more than $300,000 from the sale of six separate homes.

The 31-year-old was involved in the sales through Illawarra real estate firm Blackbird Agency between August 2021 and February 2022, during which time he retained deposits intended for vendors.

Court documents obtained by The South Coast News can now reveal not only the extent of Small’s fraud, but the litany of victims he impacted, including a mother and daughter and a 93-year-old retiree.

After moving her mother into a retirement village, a South Coast woman reached out to Blackbird Agency and Small to sell her mother’s Culburra Beach home in October 2021, according to agreed police facts.

The property was listed for auction that month where it sold for $1,215,000. An agreed upon deposit of $121,500 was paid by the purchaser to Smalltown McDonalds’ ANZ business account, linked to Small.

Slade Audley Small. Pictures: Facebook.

“An amount of $88,087 should have been paid to the victim on settlement of the property, minus the commission amount which equated to $33,412.50,” according to the documents.

“On December 6, 2021, Small transferred $24,000 to the bank account of the victim’s solicitor, however, failed to disburse the remaining $64,087.50 as required.”

The victim made multiple attempts to contact Small, but was instead provided multiple excuses.

“On December 23, 2021, Small sent the victim a screenshot of a $24,000 deposit, claiming this was further payment towards the money owed,” the documents state.

“At this time, neither of Small’s accounts had the funds to facilitate such a withdrawal of this amount, and the transaction number was identical to that of the $24,000 transfer made on December 6.

“To date, the accused still owes the woman and her mother $64,087.50.”

In early 2022, NSW Police obtained access to Small’s personal ANZ bank account as well as an ANZ account belonging to Smalltown McDonalds, which police claim was never used as a trustee account.

“It is clear on each occasion a deposit was transferred to the Smalltown McDonalds account, it was quickly removed to the personal account of Small,” police documents state.

“Through both his personal and business accounts, Small has used funds which should have been held in trust for everyday transactions, such as food, fuel, purchases at licensed venues, as well as paying for accounts such as Neds, Ladbrokes, and Bet365, and purchasing cryptocurrency.

“Numerous transfers to various other persons were also made which were not agreed upon with the victims.”

Despite the substantial sum retained, police claim that by January 13 the Smalltown McDonalds account had a balance of just $56.92, while Small’s personal account held only $411.20 in arrears.

“Despite this, Small continued to message victims,” the documents state. “In messages to one victim, he said: ‘Your money is there bro. Don’t stress about that’.”

To another – a mother purchasing a home along with her daughter – he offered more false assurances.

“Small said: ‘We will have them deposited back to u within two business days,’ the documents state. “And, ‘This is being done today’.”

After inspecting a home in South Nowra with Small, that mother had agreed to purchase the property for $915,000. A deposit of five per cent – $45,750 – was agreed upon and transferred to Small in two transactions.

“On December 10 2021, the vendor withdrew from the sale of the house, meaning the deposit should have been returned to the woman,” the documents state.

“The woman and her solicitor have made numerous attempts to contact Small, with various excuses being provided. To date, the deposit has not been returned.”

The same month, a woman in Culburra Beach sold the second of two homes she had listed with Small and Blackbird Agency: the first selling for $925,000, the second for $1,480,000.

On 31 August, 2021, $46,250 was transferred to the Smalltown McDonald account by the purchaser of the first property. On October 6, 2021, $74,000 was transferred to the same account by the purchaser of the other home, the documents stated.

The properties settled on February 4 and February 14, 2022, and the deposits should have been transferred to the victim, less the agreed two per cent commission and $1500 marketing fee.

“In total, Small should have transferred $27,000 and $43,650 to the victim.”

The final victim was the owner of a property in Worrigee, which he intended to sell.

“In late 2021, he engaged Slade Small and Blackbird Agency to sell the home,” the documents state.

“The victim believes the accused agreed to sell the property for a commission of about 2.1 per cent and a marketing fee of $1000.”

In late November 2021, a purchaser transferred $78,000 to the Smalltown McDonalds’ account, and following negotiations over a pool on the property transferred another $800, bringing the total to $78,800.

“Upon settlement, the deposit should have been transferred to the victim less the agreed 2.1 per cent and marketing fee. To date, he has not returned any of the $61,252,” the documents state.

On June 3, Small reported to Nowra Police where he declined an interview.

A total of $252,683.50 has been paid out by the Property Service Compensation Fund, according to police.

Appearing via AVL at Nowra Local Court on Monday, Sydney lawyer Jordan Gear said a sixth charge had been withdrawn, with pleas of guilty being entered for the rest.

Small will return to the Nowra Local Court on November 22 for sentencing. He will remain on bail.