Courtney Lee Warburton, 27, Meadowbrook in Beenleigh Court for “Peaceful Homes” $30k fraud

A woman claiming to be a real estate agent defrauded 18 Logan customers of more than $30,000 by selling illegitimate houses.

Courtney Lee Warburton, 27, leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court

The incredible lengths a woman went to sell unsuspecting buyers homes that were already sold — swindling them out of $30,000 — has been revealed to a court.

A real estate agent defrauded 18 Logan customers of more than $30,000 by selling illegitimate houses.

Beenleigh Magistrates Court heard Logan woman Courtney Lee Warburton ripped off 18 customers with false real estate rent to buy transactions, where she posted fake promotions advertising the sale of real homes on Facebook under bogus real estate company Peaceful Homes.

The scheme was so cunning Warburton had created a website and even printed flyers to advertise the properties.

It all came crashing down and on February 27 she pleaded guilty to 18 counts of fraud, dishonestly obtaining property from another.

The court heard the 27-year-old Meadowbrook woman used her real estate license to create the fake ads of properties that were not available on October 3, 2022.

The court heard Warburton had a legitimate license which meant when the 18 customers did a check online, her deals appeared legitimate.

However the Office of Fair Trading later confirmed a real estate agent by her name was never registered in Queensland.

The court heard she would message victims on Facebook under the guise of Peaceful Homes.

Police alleged the con consisted of a bogus rent to buy scheme where Warburton created contracts and victims put down a payment of roughly $3000.

The houses existed but weren’t actually for sale and police said once victims signed the ‘contract’ and handed over the money they never heard from her again.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Stephen Cochrane told the court her scam was uncovered easily by police as Warburton had transferred funds into her personal bank account.

“It was a fraudulent financial scheme using her real estate license and none of the houses she purported to sell or rent were legitimate,” he said.

“There was $31,512 in total defrauded from 18 victims and fake pamphlets and paperwork were found as evidence of the scam.

“She was placing the money into her bank account so it was easy to track by police.”

Warburton’s defence lawyer Emily O’Hagan accepted a two-year prison sentence was justified but argued for the sentence to be suspended or given immediate parole release.

“There is an absence of any relevant criminal history and she has rehabilitated and engaged in counselling,” said Ms O’Hagan.

“My client did not have stable accommodation at the time and had a troubled, traumatic upbringing.

“She is full time, sole carer of her two-year old son.”

Magistrate Patrina Clohessy said the offending was deplorable.

“The offending is deplorable but you do have the potential to turn your life around,” she said.

“The deliberateness of your conduct, coupled with your brazen dishonesty and the fact there were 18 victims and over $30,000 stolen means it is very serious offending.

“Your behaviour needs to be deterred.”

Warburton was sentenced to two years in prison and released immediately on parole for two years.

She must report, meet strict conditions and not commit any further offences.

Originally published as Courtney Lee Warburton, 27, Meadowbrook in Beenleigh Court for “Peaceful Homes” $30k fraud