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$2 million theft leaves strata agent permanently disqualified
A strata agent had had their licence cancelled after allegedly taking millions from over 60 strata accounts across hundreds of fraudulent transactions.
Former Coffs Harbour Strata Manager Jessica Marrie Carah has been permanently banned from the strata and property industries by NSW Fair Trading after allegedly converting strata funds into her personal account.
NSW Fair Trading investigators alleged that Carah performed almost 400 fraudulent transactions across 66 separate strata schemes between February and December 2024, totalling $2 million.
It is alleged that Carah converted over $200,000 from one strata scheme, whilst also transacting more than $100,000 from several others.
As a result of Fair Trading's findings, the regulator found that Carah acted unlawfully, improperly, unfairly, or incompetently.
The watchdog elected to cancel her licence in December 2025, while her employment with SMS Community & Strata Specialists ceased at the end of January 2025.
Carah’s disqualification appears on Fair Trading’s new “Name and Shame” register, alongside other property professionals sanctioned across the state.
Fair Trading Commissioner and Acting Strata and Property Services Commissioner Natasha Mann said Carah's misconduct cannot be allowed to stand in the property industry.
“This case is disturbing,” Mann said.
“NSW Fair Trading is ensuring people like this are removed from the industry so that consumers are protected.”
The watchdog said it has been coordinating with other government agencies on ongoing investigations, while claims from affected strata plan accounts are being reimbursed or processed through insurance.
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said the misuse of trust account funds was a point of focus of the government’s newly established Strata and Property Services Taskforce.
“Enforcement action like this is a crucial part of the Government’s work to lift standards, boost consumer confidence and restore trust in the strata sector.”
“Under regulations, a strata manager must hold separate trust accounts for an owners corporation and those funds must only be used as the client directs.”
“With our recently established Strata and Property Services Taskforce targeting misconduct by strata managers, licensees in charge will be held accountable for meeting their obligations to review and approve all transactions from the trust,” Chanthivong concluded.