An award-winning plumber accused of being a ‘fake trader’ has been charged with a series of fraud-related charges, Ny Breaking Australia can reveal – after authorities warned Australians not to seek his work.
Duanne Hevers, once winner of the Master Plumber Indigenous Apprentice of the Year, has been charged with 21 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception after clients and former bosses went to police.
Hevers, 25, has been charged with operating without a license, practicing deception by posing as an employee and ordering materials using a business account belonging to a former employer, according to court documents.
He has also been accused of failing to carry out agreed repairs and providing false and misleading banking details which his employer did not authorize him to do.
Duanne Hevers is the subject of a public warning by NSW Fair Trading after facing 21 fraud charges
Duanne Hevers is no longer employed and is the subject of a public warning from NSW Fair Trading
Hevers has not entered a plea to any charges and has failed to appear at Parramatta Local Court in the past week.
The maximum penalty for dishonestly obtaining financial advantage through deception is 10 years in prison.
However, if Hevers is found guilty, he is unlikely to serve long prison terms as the charges are heard in the local court.
In March, NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann warned Australians: ‘Don’t do business with Duanne Hevers’.
He was trading without a license in NSW under the business name Fairwater Plumbing, she said.
NSW Fair Trading was concerned that Mr Hevers may intend to trade without a licence,” an official warning said, citing customer complaints.
“Consumers have complained that Mr. Hevers is conducting residential construction work that requires a permit and making false and misleading statements to obtain money from them,” a statement said.
Hevers enjoyed an island holiday with his girlfriend in June
Duanne (photo right) and his girlfriend took a helicopter flight during their island vacation
In NSW, a permit is required for all specialist work such as electrical, plumbing and air conditioning, regardless of cost.
Furthermore, a permit is required for all other residential work valued at more than $5,000.
While they face a series of charges, photos obtained by Ny Breaking Australia show Hevers and his girlfriend enjoyed a holiday in the Whitsundays in June, a lavish trip that included helicopter rides.
Hevers must appear in court on November 13.