Real estate agent sentenced for misappropriating $500,000

Real estate agent given suspended jail sentence for misappropriating $500,000 

• Gold Coast real estate agent dishonestly transferred more than $500,000

• Offending occurred over two years and involved 592 transactions

• Eight renters and seven property owners were victims of the dishonesty

A Gold Coast real estate agent has been sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to dishonestly transferring more than $500,000 of clients’ money into her own bank accounts.

Alyce Jade Kebblewhite, of real estate property agency AJK Property, was prosecuted by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for moving funds from her real estate trust account into her personal and business accounts.

The six-month prison term has been wholly suspended for three years.

The court heard the offences occurred between April 2022 and June 2024 and involved 592 transactions totalling $508,270.

It was one of 10 offences she pled guilty to under the Agents Financial Administration Act and Property Occupations Act.

Kebblewhite also pleaded guilty to five charges of failing to disburse trust money, and four charges of failing to deposit money into a trust account within the required time.

Kebblewhite’s actions financially impacted eight tenants and seven property owners.

The OFT told the court she exploited tenants by falsely alleging they were in arrears on rent or owed payments for water, and that several tenants were not proficient in English, which compounded their vulnerability.

Acting Commissioner for Fair Trading Allannah Traill said trust accounts were not there for agents to use as they wished.

“Trust money does not belong to agents,” Ms Traill said.

“The behaviour in this case demonstrated deception and dishonesty. She had no consideration for how her actions affected her clients, at times blatantly lying to them, and making excuses for non-payment.

“The Office of Fair Trading takes complaints about the misappropriation of trust money seriously and we are committed to investigating and prosecuting these matters.”

Any suspected misconduct can be reported to the OFT at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading or by calling 13 74 68.