A former real estate agent in New South Wales has been sentenced for defrauding tenants and landlords of more than $180,000, using the funds to finance luxury holidays, fine dining, and her OnlyFans account. Sarah-Jane Watts, 34, pleaded guilty in Gunnedah Local Court to fraudulently obtaining over $151,800 from her agency's rental trust account and approximately $35,400 in rental bonds.
Details of the Fraud
Watts, who worked as a property manager at Ewing Real Estate in Gunnedah, transferred the stolen money through 162 transactions into six personal bank accounts over two years. She concealed her actions by submitting fake landlord payments alongside legitimate statements. The court heard that most of the money was spent on holidays, pub visits, hair appointments, and food.
Social Media Bragging
During her offending, Watts posted photos on Instagram showcasing her lavish lifestyle, including a holiday in the Whitsundays where she posed on a jet ski, captioned: 'Looking a lot like my next purchase.' In other posts, she boasted about being 'pretty f***ing good at this game' and 'smarter than the average sl*t.' She also shared images from Nobu restaurant and other luxury experiences.
OnlyFans Activity
Watts operated an OnlyFans account simultaneously, charging subscribers $15 per month for access to explicit content. She also offered a free subscription for 'broke bi***es.' Prior to her real estate career, she worked as a bank teller at Westpac and a personal banker at ANZ.
Professional Background
After transitioning to real estate in 2021, Watts was described on the Ewing Real Estate website as a 'driven and ambitious' property manager with a passion for helping clients. The agency and its principal, Jarad Ewing, have entered into enforceable undertakings with NSW Fair Trading, requiring additional staff training and stronger auditing processes.
Legal Consequences
Watts was ordered to pay $35,399.23 in compensation to the Rental Bond Board and $100,000 to Ewing Real Estate, which had already compensated affected clients. She also paid $750 in professional costs and received a 12-month community corrections order on April 23. NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong condemned the deception, stating that the Rental Taskforce is enforcing rules to stop irresponsible agents.
