A Gold Coast business and its two directors have been fined more than half a million dollars for a scam involving smoke detector distribution licenses.

Samuel Edward Newnham and Adrian James Campbell pleaded guilty to 11 counts of making false and misleading representations in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday, according to the Office of Fair Trading.

The fine comes after an investigation found Eco Boss Pty Ltd sold 11 “exclusive” distribution licenses for the sale and installation of a particular brand of smoke detection technology within Australia.

According to the Office of Fair Trading, the pair had told interested buyers they had an agreement with UK-based company Radal Technology Ltd to sell territorial licenses in Australia.

Radal Technology managing director Brent Dunleavey said Radal was a family owned company that manufactures and distributes tobacco smoke alarm systems.

He said the company never signed any agreement with Eco Boss Pty Ltd and was “deeply saddened” to learn of the scam.

Original Source:
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/gold-coast-business-and-its-directors-fined-over-calculated-scam-20180313-p4z47r.html