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SS Express review: Deposit not returned 86

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12:58 am EST
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On 09/01/2013 a deposit was payed to Shane Hicks of SS Express for the movement of furniture from Victoria to Queensland.

The pickup was to be on 11/01/2013 what followed was many Lies and Promises that TOMORROW definite.

On the16/01/2013 Shane Hicks rang and suggested a full refund of the deposit and apologised for the poor service.

It is now the 05/02/2013 and no deposit has been returned despite many promises that he will refund deposit tomorrow.

Take warning that Shane Hicks of SS Express is not to be trusted Consumer affairs have been notified

Update by Allan Bonney
Mar 14, 2013 5:06 pm EDT

We also have a similar story paid a deposit to have furniture moved from Melbourne to Queensland

Shine Hicks operating as SS Express has a web site and a business address in Miller St Epping he will make a commitment to pick up your goods but never shows up he is full of lies we lost our deposit like many people

Have been in contact with consumer affairs but he will not return their calls so no point contacting them

This person carries out his con by it is normal practice to in this industry that a deposit is required up front and the full cost paid before pickup.

He is using Guntree to advertise at present he is seeking a web site builder to up date his site

There is good money in being a thief and he does not even work nights.

Allan

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SS Express - Fraud
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
86 comments
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Complainant3000
, AU
Jun 02, 2016 11:24 pm EDT
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He's done me over too.

A $1200 deposit for landscaping work that isn't getting done.
I started to get suspicious after he continued to fail to show up.
Then I found this and realised... I've probably done my dough...

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Ripped off by Shane Hicks!
, AU
May 24, 2016 5:23 am EDT

Following on from my post of 19 April ...
Despite further promises and bogus bank transfer receipts we are still ripped off. I did contact Gary Search, CFO at La Trobe Uni, to alert him to the contents of this website and to the activities of Sheree and her partner. What the outcome of this has been I do not know. Shane actually delivered a personal bank cheque, but this (of course) was dishonoured so still no payment. I will now be compiling a witness statement and gathering all of the emails, text messages, bogus bank transfer receipts and the rubber cheque and providing this as evidence to Victoria Police. This guy is a persistent criminal who preys upon honest people and rips them off, and appears to have been doing this over a sustained period of many years. Hopefully the Police can assemble a strong enough case against him to bring a successful criminal prosecution.

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Shane Hicks is Fraud
, AU
Apr 21, 2016 3:10 pm EDT
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HI Ripped off by Shane Hicks! and TZD116 go ahead and complain to the CFO of the La trobe university as he has giving this excuse from last 3 years to many people.

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TZD116
, US
Apr 21, 2016 9:24 am EDT
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We, too, have been scammed recently by Shane. If anyone is interested in my accounts of the event, please feel free to get in touch with me.

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Ripped off by Shane Hicks!
, AU
Apr 19, 2016 6:40 am EDT

Shane Hicks has also ripped us off. He quoted $10, 000 as Northern Constructions for a renovation project on our house in Melbourne in January, took a $4000 deposit and then deserted the project after a few days work. Excuses, excuses. Uncle died. Sick child. Getting divorced. He is a liar through and through. Do not trust a single word he says. He makes endless promises to repay the deposit and even to return materials he purchased for the job ... but does nothing. I am sure now that he never purchased any materials for the job. This has now been going on for several months and I have finally given up all hope that he will refund the deposit. He has several times claimed to have repaid the deposit by bank transfer, and even sent us photos of online bank transfer receipts from the CBA and the NAB, but the receipts were fraudulent. Each time he does this he buys himself a week while we waited to see if the transfer would in fact finally come through.

He told us in the initial meetings that his partner 'does the books for his business', and we discovered that this is Sheree Thorn from this website. I approached Ms Thorn by email at La Trobe University and suggested that I may have to alert her boss, the CFO, to the possibility that she has been engaged in, complicit in, or aware of business activities over a sustained time period which would appear to place her integrity in doubt and be in breach of her Code of Conduct. This appeared to exert some influence on Shane and he was upset that we had approached Sheree in this way. He promised to refund the deposit, and to change his ways blah blah. He confirmed the fact that he and Sheree are, or were, in a relationship and he was concerned that his actions could have consequences for her employment (duh!). After several further promises to repay the deposit, bogus bank transfers and even an agreement to meet to pay cash he finally concocted a story about how "two of his uncles" had "sorted him out" and agreed to repay the deposit to us in order to protect Sheree. This was a week ago and still no payment.

He confirmed that he was aware of this website and that he and Sheree were working to try and get the content taken down.

I suppose it is possible that the payment may come through tomorrow (foolish hope) ... if it doesn't I am resolved to send that email to the CFO of La Trobe University. It is not a nice thing to do if Sheree is indeed not involved in Shane's business dealings ... but it seems likely that she must at least know about them and the University would need to know that a staff member in the Finance department appears to be aware of, or involved in, criminal or unethical activity.

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Eliza Billich
, US
Oct 01, 2017 11:01 pm EDT

did you get paid and did you contact the CFO, he just frauded us too.

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Adami Duque Lawyers
, AU
Apr 17, 2016 8:09 pm EDT

Shane has also ripped another person off.

He is NOT northern construction. That company belongs to another man who called our office today. This other man has been dragged through the courts because of shane and was literally crying on the phone to my law firm saying this guy has ruined his business.

Shane Hicks is a snake and i hope other see this website before they give him their money.

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Anonoymous#
Melbourne, AU
Feb 24, 2016 6:39 pm EST
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Thanks everyone for your imput
And sound advise
it's times like this of shared experiences that band our community together whether it be good bad or indifference and while
It's terrible to be a victim in effect
Realising you have been robbed
By nothing less than a opportunist. It's refreshing at the very same time to actually know that his luck is running out .
I wish you all nothing but the best ..
Be warned !
He to reads this site .

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Conned by Shane Hicks
bundoora, AU
Feb 07, 2016 9:30 pm EST
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Name: Shane Hicks
Company Name: Northern Construction
Office address: 55- 57 Miller Street, Epping
ABN: [protected]

Contact number: [protected]
Email: melbturf5@gmail.com
Mob [protected]
Home [protected]
Car Rego: RFU 843
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/shane.hicks.735?fref=ts

His partner is:
Miss Sheree Thorn
Assistant Accountant
Office of CFO
DMW|03
T: [protected]
E: s.thorn@latrobe.edu.au

Son's school. Mill park heights

Shane also plays for a local cricket club called the Lalor Warriors. Their website and Facebook page are below:
http://lalorwarriors.vic.cricket.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lalor-Warriors-Cricket-Club/139525712821744

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Conned by Shane Hicks
bundoora, AU
Feb 07, 2016 9:23 pm EST
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Same here. He grabbed $1650 of us and just vanished into thin air. Wont provide landscaping service or refund the money. Planning to lodge a VCAT order today. Have also notified the local police stations

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Shane Hicks is Fraud
, AU
Feb 07, 2016 8:04 pm EST
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I have also come across same issue where he has grabbed my money and never returned back, I don't know what to do

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Anonoymous#
Melbourne, AU
Dec 22, 2015 9:07 pm EST
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Hi there.
The man himself apparently visits this very site and reads about himself
As I to have been a victim of his greed and about 20+ others and counting
I suggest you contact the police then seek a legal rep for advise even through legal aid in effect he
Is robbing us all of all our possessions .
I'm surprise to learn he is still doing it actually And getting away it so I do urge you to seek legal advise as a matter of urgency .
It's not normal a practice where you rob people of furniture money and nothing is done and one calls it a civil listing .
Robbing stealing from people is a criminal activity .
Obviously as it appears the person has possibly an addiction of some description. Such as gambling substance abuse or simply greed .
Nothing surer he needs help before someone takes the law in their own hands.
please. Seek a legal rep advise .

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tc_01
, US
Dec 22, 2015 7:30 pm EST
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Shane Hicks is still using Northern Constructions (VIC) Pty Ltd to quote for jobs on Gumtree. He took a deposit of $1200 for landscaping work for me and has disappeared with the money. I have lodged a complaint with Consumer Affairs Victoria, and I am happy to co-ordinate with anyone else who want to pursue legal action (I am investigating this possibility). Please contact me on vinay@totalcaos.com to get in touch with me.

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Fiona Lee
, US
Nov 08, 2015 8:36 pm EST

Please be advised that Shane Hicks DOES not work for Water Features Direct! If he says he does he does Not...If he says that he can supply product please contact us as it may be stolen.

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Anon10
, AU
Aug 20, 2015 10:06 pm EDT

Hi, looks like this guy is still at it. Has anyone had any luck w VCAT ect? Shans did move my stuff but has not delivered everything and there was plenty that was damaged. Lost if excuses...marriage breakup, uncle dies and so on. I hope his wife is enjoying my clothes and shoes they still have!

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Suzanne Charkas
Hobart Metro Area, AU
Jul 12, 2015 1:55 am EDT
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Anybody wanting to contact his partner by telephone or email :

Miss Sheree Thorn
Assistant Accountant
Office of CFO
DMW|03

T: [protected]
E: s.thorn@latrobe.edu.au

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Suzanne Charkas
Hobart Metro Area, AU
Jul 12, 2015 1:45 am EDT
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Perhaps La Trobe University ought to have somebody check their own books and ensure that they are all in order. What a pathetic couple - what a hypocrite working in Finance Dept and sitting back watching your partner steal from decent working folk. I recently had some correspondence from another man who miraculously received all his money in return after he threatened Shane in some way or other - imagine he was willing to go to La Trobe Univ Finance Dept or wait outside Mill Park Heights School.

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Anonoymous#
Melbourne, AU
Jun 15, 2015 5:30 am EDT
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Possibly contact his partner and mother of his child.
Sherrie thorn
Accountant finance dept.
La Trobe unniversitity
Bundoora
Victoria

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Icym88
Melbourne, AU
Jun 09, 2015 8:58 am EDT
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Hi all- wish I'd found this earlier. I can add myself to the unfortunate list, having contracted an interstate removal service with him, where I was left without my things for 5 days after many lies and excuses about his 'friend passing away'. My vehicle was also to be moved by him, and i was constantly told it would be arriving 'soon' and was in transit- it never was I found out so I luckilly arranged for him not to go anywhere near it before he had- he is yet to return the money owing. I am now out of pocket by a calculated almost 2000 in expenses. Please anyone who has any leverage in proceedings contact me at icym88@hotmail.com. Is it worth me pursuing through VCAT? Currently i can't serve him papers as I only have bogus addresses for him.

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Peter35
, US
Mar 14, 2015 12:56 am EDT

Mob [protected]
Home [protected]

I've known this ### since 11/7/14. I ordered some turf of him when he was operating Northern landscaping. He came that night to pick up the fee of $270. Then I laid seeds because he didn't pull through. I then worked with him for approx 3 months without getting paid. He then owed me aporox $4000. I have received $2400. I have sent him in excess of 5000 msgs trying to chase what is owed to me. Do NOT use Shane Hicks for anything. It'll lead to heartache. He is a scammer and a con man. I wish you all luck

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Adrian1
Melbourne, AU
Oct 13, 2014 4:52 am EDT

Shane Hicks scammed my dad in July 2014, took $1500 deposit saying he was from Northern Turf and Landscapes as a deposit to do a job and never showed. Will post later with any more information.

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Shane Hicks makes me sick
Melbourne, AU
Aug 24, 2014 8:30 pm EDT
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Shane Hicks is now located in Wollert Vic. He has had many different business names since SS Express in 2013. He's now supposedly doing landscaping-taking deposits, but not following through with the work. His 30% deposit covers his costs if he decides to do the work. Anything else is profit. The phone number no longer applies, but look up address details on yellow pages on the following link (Northern Turf and Landscapes)

https://www.yellowpages.com.au/search/listings?clue=northern+turf+and+landscapes&locationClue=3+Dawson+Rd%2C+Wollert+VIC+3750&lat=&lon=

He has apparently registered another new business, something in construction finding subbies to do work for him then not paying them. #1 for Dodgy

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We are anonymous
, AU
Mar 13, 2014 6:48 am EDT
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Shane Hicks

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J231
Glen Waverley, AU
Jan 01, 2014 9:05 pm EST

I am another victim of his fraud, please let me know if anyone is still pursuing legal actions against him as I would like to contribute and I can help please msg me and I will provide my contact details

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Suzanne Charkas
Hobart Metro Area, AU
Aug 12, 2013 11:07 pm EDT
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13th August 2013
I am just sitting here shaking my head in disbelief. Add me to the list of disgruntled customers. I first came into contact with this horrible man after I posted an ad in The Gumtree asking for a removalist to take my belongings from Melbourne to Hobart. He contacted me the next day and spun me the hard luck story that he lost his livelihood in the Black Saturday fires and had started again from scratch. I was quoted $2500 for 25 cubic metres and asked for the 30% deposit - $850. I became suspicious of him within days when his voice mail box was constantly full, he made excuse after excuse about not dropping past and doing the inventory and leaving packaging materials. Eventually I got on to him and requested my deposit back... that was 18.1.13 . His best friend had apparently just had a brain haemorrhage and he wasn't able to attend to matters - if he does have a best friend out there - these are the sorts of stories he is telling and I can only hope that Karma comes back to bite him. If I had read these comments earlier, I wouldn't have wasted another $50 in application fees and my time and effort attending VCAT last month ( July 16th). I had to make a special trip from Hobart to Melbourne to attend . Of course he didn't show - of course I was awarded the $850 deposit back and of course he hasn't paid me. I was just about to pay another $200 and take it through the Magistrate's Court but this site has saved me another $200. Please contact me on suzannecharkas@optusnet.com.au and include me in whatever is going on. That man caused me so much stress and time and effort - finding another removalist to take our household on the ferry was so incredibly difficult . My husband was left in a rented house for 6 days without any furniture or belongings ... it was a nightmare. suzannecharkas@optusnet.com.au

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ahunter01
Aroona, AU
May 09, 2013 3:06 am EDT

Shane got me too, for around $1600. I have been down the fair trading route and applied to QCAT. I am interested in any legal proceedings against this thief. My email is anthonyhunter77@gmail.com if anyone has any further info, thanks

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Shaal
Mount Lawley, AU
Apr 09, 2013 12:48 am EDT
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As far as I know the reservoir street property is vacant as well as the banff one - last I heard anyway. Not sure if anyone knows where he actually is unfortunately. Hopefully someone will find him though, so we can all get our money and belongings back.
If you have the address in Thomastown, maybe try that too.
Cheers, Rashaal

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sarahpob
Blackburn, AU
Apr 09, 2013 12:39 am EDT

does anyone know his address? im applying to vcat and apparently banff street isnt where he lives?

i know he uses a strorage place in thomastown all the time, thats where he use to get my partner to drop and pick up

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sarahpob
Blackburn, AU
Apr 09, 2013 12:36 am EDT

hi everyone, this shane guy had my partner working for him and he sent him to QLD from melbourne and kepy promsinig to pay some monmey in his account for fuel so because he kept not paying it my partner had to arrange money and sleep in the truck and was stuck for 6 days with no food or anywhere to sleep except hs truck. his owes us $4000 for other job we had for him too and i am applying to VCAT. this happened in October at the end of october 2012.

please anyone contact me we need to do something about this guy he cant keep doing this... we need to all get together and do something!

sehbeh_87@yahoo.com.au

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Shaal
Mount Lawley, AU
Apr 01, 2013 8:05 pm EDT
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Hi Blake I am so sorry to hear of what has happened to you. I was speaking with Consumer Affairs last Thursday and they have had no luck either. She was lovely and advised that our best option is to contact the Magistrate with a complete case we have built from all eleven victims and present that to convert this into a legal matter and not just a civil one. I am advising all victims however to also lodge their individual claims with the Dept of Fair Trading in their state (in Sydney it is the CTTT - www.cttt.nsw.gov.au/). There is a small fee for this, and a tribunal hearing date will be set. Shane has not yet appeared at any of these tribunal hearings but each time he doesn't it goes towards building our case.

I would like to obtain some more information from you about your individual situation so it would be best if you contact me directly instead of posting on the board. My personal email address is shaalster@yahoo.com.au or rashaalo@hotmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you Blake.

Regards, Rashaal

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BlakeM
Canberra, AU
Apr 01, 2013 7:08 pm EDT

I am another victim of Shane Hicks he took $800 bond and over 10, 000 worth of furniture that hasn't been delivered. He picked it up from Gold Coast on 17th, November 2013 and was supposed to dropped off to Canberra within the week but never came. My partner and I have tried contacting him on many occasions but with no luck. I am interested in pursuing this further and seeking justice against this thief.
Rashaal I will lodge my case this week also. Please email me the details of how to do so if you can.
Thanks, Blake

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Shaal
Mount Lawley, AU
Mar 24, 2013 10:34 pm EDT
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Hello again everyone, apparently we all need to lodge our claim individually with the VACT (http://www.vcat.vic.gov.au) as per advice from Consumer Affairs. I will be doing so this week and will keep everyone informed.

Unfortunately I have had no luck with A Current Affair but will be contacting Today Tonight to see if they are interested in the story.

To date I have a record of NINE victims and there are more and more appearing every day, so I do believe that as a united front we may have the best option of making him pay for his crimes.

Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions or to give me any updates on your situation for the case I'm building for us all. I appreciate all your assistance.

Cheers, Rashaal

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ThereseR
Sydney, AU
Mar 24, 2013 4:33 am EDT

Hi everyone,
We too have been impacted by Shane Hicks & lost our $250 deposit.
He was due to collect out items in on 11 January 2013 & we waited around from 9am until 7:30pm for him to arrive. I have kept all of our communications in the event we took this further. Rashaal I'll email you now my details.
Cheers
Therese

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Shaal
Mount Lawley, AU
Mar 14, 2013 10:56 pm EDT
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Hi Allan, I have contacted A Current Affair but had no response so I will be approaching Today Tonight as well. I hope everyone that has fallen victim to Shane (9 of us that I know of so far) will be willing to be involved in their investigation.

Cheers, Rashaal

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Shaal
Mount Lawley, AU
Mar 13, 2013 9:25 pm EDT
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Hi Raj, I'm sorry to hear this also happened to you. I'm compiling evidence of everyone's situations should we need to go to court or even for ACA or Today Tonight so I would appreciate finding out some information from you if you don't mind. Please private message me at rashaalo@hotmail.com and I will get some information from you offline.
Cheers, Rashaal

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rajathshivanna
Bairnsdale, AU
Mar 13, 2013 8:40 am EDT

hi there, another victim, am in the same situation, have lodged complaint with consumer affairs
please help on how to proceed further.
Regards
Raj

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Shaal
Mount Lawley, AU
Mar 04, 2013 9:29 pm EST
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Hello again everyone, to my knowledge tthere are (sadly) at least 8 of us now. I have lodged a detailed complaint with Consumer Affairs, and I am aware of at least 1 more complaint lodged. Apparently ACA have been contacted and other legal action has been taken by other victims. Hopefully if we band together we can catch him!

Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss further. Private message me and I'll give you my contact details.

Regards, Rashaal

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Shaal
Mount Lawley, AU
Feb 27, 2013 11:59 pm EST
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I am more than willing to discuss this with A Current Affair as well Lou and I have private messaged you as well. Cheers, Rashaal

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Lou Bruce
Morwell, AU
Feb 27, 2013 11:27 pm EST
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G'day there, unfortunately I found this page too late, because I have also been shafted by this dog! I have paid him $1, 600 for a household removal which was all my savings; and all i received in return was endless amount of excuses and lies! He even had me believed that if I deposited some monies into his TAB account my furniture would be picked up that evening. It is people like Shane that need to be stopped from ripping innocent people off and getting away with it.
If need be, a visit to the Lalor cricket club where he plays is in order. A Current Affair have been contacted and are keen to run the story of this rogue man!

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Frank Picciolo
Perth Metro Area, AU
Feb 26, 2013 3:59 am EST
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Hi Took my stuff mid last month, syd to perth, 17 jan should have taken 7-10 days
took deposit $800, and $1500 after pick up, and my furniture, computer files, tools, everything ...hasnt been delivered ...Just a wheely bin full of excuses, cant find him does anyone know where he is..?

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Shaal
Mount Lawley, AU
Feb 26, 2013 2:56 am EST
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If anyone would like to discuss this privately with me, please email me on rashaalo@hotmail.com

I am building a case for prosecution and have lodged a complaint with Consumer Affairs.

Strangely I received an email from Shane today with another sob story excuse - did anyone else receive this?

Cheers, Shaal