‘‘Mr Sold’’ fails to appear

Former Docklands real estate agent Ali Abbas failed to appear at a second Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing in December.

Consumer Affairs Victoria launched an investigation into Mr Abbas and his agency, Worldwide Scope Pty Ltd, in November 2011.

The agency operated as a Century 21 franchise in Docklands for two years before closing in 2011.

The Consumer Affairs investigation allegedly uncovered nearly $100,000 worth of trust fund irregularities and led to a VCAT inquiry into both Mr Abbas and Worldwide Scope Pty Ltd.

It has been alleged that Mr Abbas received bonds in cash from multiple tenants and did not lodge the money with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority.

It has also been alleged that rents were paid in cash and were not passed on to landlords.

The first hearing of the VCAT inquiry was scheduled for October 26 last year.

However, Mr Abbas did not appear and was not represented.

At the October hearing, Consumer Affairs lawyer Kathryn Bannon said immigration records showed Mr Abbas had left the country in January, 2012.

The hearing was then adjourned until December 7.

Docklands News understands that Mr Abbas did not appear and was not represented at the December hearing.

The next hearing has been scheduled for March 14.

Consumer Affairs Victoria was unable to comment on the consequences of failing to appear at a VCAT hearing.