Alleged roof scammer, who conned Tania Hird, spent earnings on seven Rolex watches

A man accused of being a part of an international roof scam syndicate, who allegedly conned James Hird’s wife, spent his earnings on luxury watches.

A man accused of being involved in an international roof scam syndicate who allegedly conned James Hird’s wife and others out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, spent his earnings on seven luxury Rolex watches.


Mark Burton, 23, is accused of swindling more than $640,000 from 11 people who believed he was a legitimate tradesman and business owner in a “highly sophisticated scheme” between March and July this year.

Prosecutors allege Mr Burton, a UK national, was the organiser of the scam which also entangled his younger brother, Johnny.

Tania Hird. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

James Hird and wife Tania

Within five days of arriving in Australia on a two-week tourist visa on March 31, Mr Burton had registered the business name ‘Top-Rated Roofing and Guttering’, set-up a website and printed flyers, a court heard on Friday.

The father-of-two then allegedly hired unskilled labourers to perform the works, and through “artful persuasion, cajoling” and in some cases “threatening” tactics, overcharged customers by thousands of dollars.

The court heard Mr Burton targeted elderly and vulnerable victims.

“Clearly this was no tourist who was going to go sight seeing around Melbourne and Sydney,” Magistrate Peter Reardon said on Friday.

“He hit this country running,” he said.

“He claimed he had 20 years experience, fully licenced and had insurance – all this was false,” Mr Reardon said.

Mr Burton faces 11 counts of obtaining property by deceptions and is one of several UK and Irish nationals to be charged over the alleged scam.


Tania Hird, wife of the AFL legend, was allegedly swindled almost $33,000 for repairs to the roof of their Toorak mansion which should have cost just $350, prosecutors allege.

The court heard Mr Burton purchased seven Rolex watches worth $140,000 in just 15 weeks during his alleged fraud spree.

Police opposed bail, arguing he posed an unacceptable flight risk.


The court heard Mr Burton, who was arrested at Melbourne airport with his wife and children, had warrants out for his arrest in the US, and a conviction for similar offending in the Netherlands.


“There is little or nothing to stop him wanting to flee the country,” Mr Reardon said in denying bail.


Police charged four people with deception offences in July, including two British nationals and one Irish national.

Mr Burton will remain behind bars and will return to court in December.