Brisbane Supreme Court, Queensland Supreme Court, Brisbane District Court, Queensland District Court.
Share this @internewscast.com

A con man who posed as a tradie on social media and swindled almost $500,000 from victims has been jailed.

Hong Thanh Dang Tran pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court to 30 fraud charges today.

During the period from April 2022 to November 2023, Dang Tran, aged 45, deceived individuals by promoting building and renovation services on Facebook, as stated by prosecutors in court.

Brisbane Supreme Court, Queensland Supreme Court, Brisbane District Court, Queensland District Court.
Hong Thanh Dang Tran pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court to 30 fraud charges today. (Toby Crockford)

He used different names and phone numbers, on some occasions even using business cards belonging to licensed builders, the court was told.

The Vietnamese-born Australian citizen received payments from 30 people and either did not complete promised work or begin it entirely.

In some instances, Dang Tran introduced complainants to his family to build a rapport.

On other occasions he made “vague” threats asking for further money when challenged by victims, prosecutors said.

Dang Tran received $452,000 from his victims and made some partial repayments just shy of $42,000.

He was arrested on November 17, 2023 and has been in custody since, appearing in court for today’s sentencing.

Apprentices wearing work boots are seen at Holmesglen TAFE Chadstone campus in Melbourne, Monday, May 15, 2017. (AAP)
A con man who posed as a tradie on social media and swindled almost $500,000 from victims has been jaile

Prosecutors asked Judge Tony Moynihan for six years’ imprisonment which defence counsel did not contest.

Counsel representing Dang Tran said the severity of his offending was not lost on him and he accepted it was “calculated and egregious” in nature.

In sentencing remarks, Judge Moynihan said Dang Tran was not qualified or insured and that his advertisements were misleading.

“You deployed tactics to encourage the complainants to trust you,” he said.

“You are, at the end of the day, a con man.”

Dang Tran was jailed for six years.

He will be eligible for parole on November 16, 2025 after 544 days time served in pre-sentence custody.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Howard Advises Liberals to Reconsider Gender Quotas

Liberal veteran John Howard has warned against recent efforts to implement quotas…
Noel Edmonds and his wife Liz are preparing to wed for a fifth time as he proposed in a hot tub at their home in New Zealand

Noel Edmonds, 76, Plans Fifth Wedding with Wife Liz, 55, After Romantic Hot Tub Proposal in New Zealand

Noel Edmonds and his wife Liz are preparing to wed for a fifth…

Why the Emergence of This New Fire Ant Nest is a Nationwide Concern

The NSW government has confirmed the detection of a fire ant nest…

Donald Trump Celebrates Victory as Tax and Spending Bill is Passed by US Congress

Key Points Donald Trump’s major tax and spending legislation has successfully passed…

Massive Drone Assault on Ukraine by Russia Follows Putin and Trump’s Conversation

Russia has pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war,…

Australian Actor Julian McMahon Passes Away at 56

Australian actor Julian McMahon has died at the age of 56, after…
A gas station explosion early Friday in southeastern Rome injured at least 40 people, including 11 police officers and one firefighter, but immediate rescue intervention avoided a much more tragic outcome, local authorities and rescuers said.A gas station explosion early Friday in southeastern Rome injured at least 40 people, including 11 police officers and one firefighter, but immediate rescue intervention avoided a much more tragic outcome, local authorities and rescuers said.

Rome Gas Station Explosion Injures 40 – Mayor Suggests It Could Have Been More Severe

A petrol station explosion in southeastern Rome has injured at least 40…
Anthony Albanese keynote speech in Washington tipped to 'ruffle feathers'

Prime Minister Expected to Make Waves in Washington with Major Address

The Prime Minister is expected to create a stir in Washington this…

What is the Minimum Legal Age for Criminal Responsibility in Australia?

In the ACT, children are now protected from arrest, charges, or sentencing…
The brawl allegedly broke out between a group of men at 5pm yesterday inside the Kmart in Mount Druitt Westfields.

Third Person Arrested in Connection with Alleged Stabbing Outside Sydney Kmart

On June 24, outside a Westfield shopping center on Carlisle Avenue in…

The Rising Popularity of Homeschooling in Australia: Reasons and Trends

Once a primary school teacher, Clarissa Valentine couldn’t have imagined she would…
This screen grab of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, right, crying as Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London, Wednesday July 2, 2025.

Emotional Reaction from UK’s Treasury Chief Causes Market Turbulence

The weekly session in which the British prime minister is questioned by…