Company denies backpacker’s hidden camera claim

A company has denied a backpacker’s claims he found something disturbing in his room after landing a job that seemed “too good to be true”.

A company has denied a Dutch backpacker’s claims he found a disturbing network of hidden cameras and microphones in his room after taking up a remote job in Queensland.

Maron de Rooij, 26, said he noticed an advertised position with a company called Animal Ark Transport on Facebook which he said looked “really promising” and almost “too good to be true”.

The advert stated a “male backpacker” would be given free on-site accommodation in the scenic Glasshouse Mountains in return for driving farm animals around Queensland.

It promised weekly pay, free meals, travel across four states and “a lot of fun”.

Maron de Rooij said the job seemed ‘too good to be true’. Picture: Facebook

Mr de Rooij said when he arrived, a “nice gentleman” showed him his room.

That man was company manager Conrad Cosgrove, 44, who has since been charged with recordings in breach of privacy and possession of tainted property.

Mr Rooij claimed he was shown an infra-red sensor and light above his bed that he was told was “bug repellent”, but claimed he then realised cameras had been hidden in walls, shelves, bird statues and in the bathroom, along with one microphone.

Animal Ark Transport has strongly denied the claims.

The backpacker claims his room was riddled with cameras. Picture: Facebook

Animal Ark Transport strongly denied any wrongdoing. Picture: Facebook

He told Nine he still had to stay the night, with nowhere else to go as he waited for police to arrive the next morning.

“The only thing I could do was stick in there and wait it out until the cops came,” he said.

“I just hid under my blanket and started texting my Dutch cousin who is living here as well, and she called the cops for me.”

Police came the next morning and checked the room.

Mr de Rooij still had to stay the night.

In a statement to the Sunshine Coast Daily Animal Ark Transport strongly denied any wrongdoing.

“The original Facebook post made by the backpacker contains video showing nothing more than corrugated tin, which has hundreds of holes in it for decorative effect,” the statement reads.

“The regular haters and keyboard warriors of the Facebook world have resurfaced and taken great pleasure spreading this.

“Is there legal grounds for a case of defamation of character here? Most likely yes, but what’s the point? Mud sticks and the damage is done.”

Mr Cosgrove was charged after police searched the property and a computer.

He will appear before Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 20.