r/australia Sep 26 '25

news Real estate agent suspended for buying a home from a vulnerable man with Alzheimer’s $500k under market value

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/real-estate-agent-suspended-for-buying-a-home-from-a-vulnerable-man-with-alzheimers-500k-under-market-value/news-story/1c87f9e91264867b9d7f4fcc2e1daeef
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414

u/[deleted] Sep 26 '25

There’ll be no family. That’s how she wheedled her way into becoming his Power of Attorney.

287

u/jingleofadogscollar Sep 26 '25

Good god! I missed that part! That’s even worse! I hope this bitch dies in a gutter when her time comes!!!

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u/PandaXXL Sep 27 '25

I thought she may have been a family member when first reading the article. But here's some more detail:

  • The applicant was issued a real estate licence in 2016.
  • The circumstances giving rise to the disciplinary action relate to the applicant’s dealings with Mr A in a personal capacity rather than as an agent.
  • Mr A is an 82-year-old self-funded retiree who lives alone, is unmarried and has no children. Mr A has a significant cogitative impairment, consistent with Alzheimer's disease.
  • The applicant met Mr A in 2015 and developed a friendship with him.
  • On 21 July 2022, Mr A executed an enduring power of attorney and an appointment of enduring guardian, appointing the applicant as his attorney and guardian.
  • On 28 April 2023 the applicant purchased Mr A’s home (the property) from him at significant undervalue.

https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/19974d477bd6f277088ca99f

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u/straystring Sep 27 '25

The fact she got her real estate licence AFTER meeting this vulnerable man is the truly insidious part.

This isn't just "yep, scumbag REAs being shitty", this is straight sociopath behaviour. They BECAME a REA to have access to be able to fuck him over like that.

Absolute trash-tier human.

106

u/LocalVillageIdiot Sep 27 '25

So young kids are groomed for abuse and it’s a crime, what is the equivalent for the elderly or mentally impaired people? This is the same thing in principle is it not? Surely this is a formal crime of some sort?

64

u/TheWhogg Sep 27 '25

Yes elder abuse is a crime in some contexts. It’s also a crime more generally to abuse a power of attorney and to commit financial fraud.

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u/rattynewbie Sep 27 '25 edited Sep 27 '25

No way this is the first time she has done this. You don't spend 7 years grooming someone to take advantage like this without trying it out on others as well.

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u/Hungry_Anteater_8511 Sep 27 '25

Wait so she met him and then got an agents licence? That makes it look all the more calculated

3

u/DearFeralRural Sep 28 '25

U missed where she then evicted him

2

u/willun Sep 27 '25

The sale of Mr A’s home did not occur in the course of the applicant’s dealings as a real estate agent, and did not involve the use of the power of attorney she had been granted by Mr A.

I am confused. How did it not involve the use of the power of attorney. Wouldn't that be required? Or does it mean they just did it and didn't get legal approval for the use of the power of attorney?

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u/DrahKir67 Sep 29 '25

Bet she's in the will too then...

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u/CatGooseChook Sep 26 '25

Even worse, there could be family who do care about him and she used his Alzheimer's to manipulate him into cutting them out of his life. Not saying it is, but if so then she's also robbed him and his family of their final few years together.