Two former LJ Hooker agents charged over misappropriating millions of customers' money
Updated
Real estate giant LJ Hooker says it is pleased two of its former agents will face court for allegedly misappropriating more than $2 million of customers' money.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has laid hundreds of charges against two former LJ Hooker real estate agents over conduct at six franchises in Melbourne's south east.
The ABC exclusively revealed last year that six LJ Hooker branches run by Truc Thanh Le Nguyen (known as Judy Nguyen) and her husband Tri Duc Ngo (known as Joseph Ngo) were shut down by head office.
More than 100 customers claimed their money kept in trust by the real estate agents had disappeared.
On Friday, Consumer Affairs Victoria announced that it had charged Judy Nguyen with 216 offences and Joseph Ngo with 188 offences for alleged breaches of the Estate Agents Act.
Potential penalties include up to 10 years in jail.
The Director of Consumer Affairs has approved 58 claims from customers who lost trust funds totalling more than $2 million.
Consumer Affairs has also approved the payment of 21 claims for rent money, totalling more than $34,000.
The couple's franchise was terminated by LJ Hooker when the allegations first emerged in April last year.
In a statement a spokesperson for LJ Hooker said: "LJ Hooker is pleased that Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) have concluded their investigations and are now able to bring this matter to the courts, giving all those affected some closure.
"These sorts of occurrences are a blight on the industry, and continued vigilance is of the utmost importance to LJ Hooker and our franchisees."
Judy Nguyen and Joseph Ngo are due to face the Melbourne Magistrate's Court next Friday.
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