Belle Property Byron Bay fraud: What’s next for ex-Byron Bay real estate agent Sarah Dougan

After more than a decade, disgraced former Byron Bay real estate agent Sarah Dougan is still in the US and has lost an appeal to be sentenced remotely. Now, she may be finally be brought to justice.

After failing to attend sentencing in person in 2023 at Parramatta Local Court, Dougan sought permission to attend from the US via audio-visual link.

After more than a decade, disgraced former Byron Bay real estate agent Sarah Dougan is still in the US and has lost an appeal to be sentenced for her half-million dollar fraud remotely.

Warrants remain for the arrest of Dougan, formerly the principal agent of the now defunct Belle Property Byron Bay, for fraudulently converting money as a licensee.

In 2011 The NSW Office of Fair Trading began investigating trust accounts at the franchise and found over $540,000 was missing.

More than ten years later, the watchdog hasn’t given up on bringing her to justice.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said it is entirely appropriate that Dougan attends sentencing in person.

Having pleaded guilty in 2020 and 2021, Dougan’s bid to attend sentencing from the US via audio visual link was denied by the NSW Supreme Court on Monday, following a failure to appear in Parramatta Court in November 2023.

Belle Property offices in Byron Bay were closed in 2011 following the fraud allegations.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said Fair Trading waited “patiently” to bring the matter to a conclusion.

“Our persistence sends a clear message to real estate agents of how seriously the regulator takes cases where there has been a complete disregard for industry rules,” Ms Mann said.

Sarah Dougan remains in the US as NSW Fair Trading considers their options to bring her to justice.

A NSW Fair Trading spokesperson said they are “now considering options to facilitate Ms Dougan in appearing in person in NSW for sentencing” and noted the court acknowledged “there is a real likelihood of considering a sentence of imprisonment”.

In dismissing Dougan’s appeal on Monday, the Supreme Court of NSW also ordered her to pay court costs.

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Originally published as Belle Property Byron Bay fraud: What’s next for ex-Byron Bay real estate agent Sarah Dougan