Award-winning Byron Bay real estate agent to the stars faces 15 counts of fraud involving more than $3.5 million

  • A Byron Bay estate agent to the stars faces 15 counts of fraud worth $3.5 million
  • Nicolette van Wijngaarden, 44, liquidated her business, Unique Estates, in Feb
  • She faced court this week and charges allegedly amount to 10 year jail sentence
  • Ms Wijngaarden will appear in court again on 8 November, a spokesman said
  • She served high profile clients and had four offices including one in Hong Kong

A glamorous Byron Bay real estate agent to the stars is facing 15 counts of fraud involving more than $3.5 million.

Nicolette van Wijngaarden put her business, Unique Estates, into liquidation in February this year following an investigation by insolvency firm McGrath Nicol.

This week, Ms Wijngaarden, 44, faced court for five charges relating to fraudulently converting money from a business for personal use, as well as a further 10 fraud charges, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

Estate agent to the stars, Nicolette van Wijngaarden (pictured, left) is facing 15 counts of fraud involving more than $3.5 million

Estate agent to the stars, Nicolette van Wijngaarden (pictured, left) is facing 15 counts of fraud involving more than $3.5 million

Both offences carry a maximum 10-year jail sentence.

A spokesman for the New South Wales Department of Fair Trading told Daily Mail Australia that the total amount of money involved in all charges was in excess of $3.5 million.

'She has been bailed to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court for mention on November 8,' the spokesman said.

Based in Byron Bay, Ms Wijngaarden founded Unique Estates in 2009, moving on to launch additional offices in Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Hong Kong.

The company focused on high profile clients and luxury properties, with celebrity customers including comedian Paul Hogan, business entrepreneur Rick Fenny and international fashion designer Collette Dinnigan.

Ms Wijngaarden put her business, Unique Estates, into liquidation in February this year following an investigation by insolvency firm McGrath Nicol

Ms Wijngaarden put her business, Unique Estates, into liquidation in February this year following an investigation by insolvency firm McGrath Nicol

Homes sold by the company included a $4.3 million property in Byron Bay, a $3.6 million home in Robina and a $25 million mansion in Airlie Beach.

The agency also won multiple awards during its stint, including best marketing and best website at the Asia Pacific Property Awards, and had also recently launched a yacht and jet charter division.

Reports have claimed that Ms Wijngaarden enjoyed the high-flying lifestyle, frequently leasing expensive cars, travelling business class and maintaining luxury properties in prime locations.

Founded in 2009 Unique Estates focused on high profile clients and luxury properties, with celebrity customers including comedian Paul Hogan (bottom), business entrepreneur Rick Fenny (top left) and international fashion designer Collette Dinnigan (top right)

Founded in 2009 Unique Estates focused on high profile clients and luxury properties, with celebrity customers including comedian Paul Hogan (bottom), business entrepreneur Rick Fenny (top left) and international fashion designer Collette Dinnigan (top right)

Ms Wijngaarden's and her now-husband Andrew Cawley's engagement party was also allegedly a decadent affair, serving oysters and three different types of French champagne.

In an email to her 42 staff members in February, informing them of the company's liquidation, Ms Wijngaarden thanked them for their 'tireless efforts' and said she was 'very sorry'.

'Wages cannot be paid tomorrow – bank accounts are frozen and there are no funds,' she wrote.

'There is a Federal Employer Fund that will cover your outstanding entitlements.'

Ms Wijngaarden will appear at the Downing Centre Local Court for mention on November 8

Ms Wijngaarden will appear at the Downing Centre Local Court for mention on November 8

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Award-winning Byron Bay real estate agent offices overseas 15 counts of fraud more $3.5 million 

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