Taken to the cleaners Woman accused of running sham online companies

A WOMAN accused of running sham online cleaning companies all over Australia has allegedly claimed her latest victim in the Territory.

Darwin cleaner Sun Hee Hwang responded to an ad on gumtree earlier this month placed by a woman called ‘Patricia’ who was looking for bond cleaners.

Ms Hwang, along with two of her colleagues, were sent to an address in the Northern Suburbs, where they worked for four and a half hours to get the three-bedroom home spotless.

The tenant had paid for the clean in advance to the online business called Simple Cleans.

The cleaners were promised $450 for their efforts but once the clean was done ‘ Patricia’ stopped answering calls and Ms Hwang has all but given up on ever seeing the money.

Cassandra Nicole Cooney, 35, of Alstonville in northern NSW, will face court in Queensland next month after it was alleged she’d been recruiting cleaners online and not paying them for their work.

“It’s really upsetting to be take advantage of like this,” Ms Hwang said.

In October last year, NT Commissioner of Consumer Affairs Gary Clements issued a public warning to consumers to exercise caution when dealing with companies Express Professional Services, Express Commercial Cleans, Express End of Lease Cleaning, Express Bond Cleaning and Express Home Cleaning, which are all believed to have links to Cooney.

NSW Consumer Affairs issued a similar warning, which included company Simple Cleans.

NT Consumer Affairs noted Cooney appears to frequently change the business name and website address when consumer complaints begin to accumulate.,

Mr Clements said he was working with his interstate counterparts to put an end to the dodgy websites.

He said it was a good reminder of the benefits of shopping local when looking for services. Cooney is charged with six counts of accepting payment and failing to supply goods or services within the specified period and will appear in Southport Magistrate’s Court on June 1 against the Office of Fair and Safe Work.

If anyone has any concerns about their dealings with Cassandra Nicole Cooney and her associated businesses they should contact NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319 or email consumer@nt.gov.au.