Real estate agent runs

Real estate agent runs

Former Docklands real estate agent Ali Abbas has fled the country in the wake of a Consumer Affairs investigation into nearly $100,000 worth of trust fund irregularities.

Mr Abbas failed to appear at a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing on October 26.

The hearing followed an investigation into Mr Abbas and his agency, Worldwide Scope Pty Ltd, which operated as a Century 21 franchise in Docklands for two years.

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.

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

Ms Bannon said the records showed Mr Abbas had indicatedon his exit card that he would be returning to Australia but had not provided a return date.

Due to Mr Abbas’s absence the hearing was adjourned until December 7.

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