Newcastle builder's devices to be searched over alleged billing fraud

A Supreme Court judge has authorized an independent search of documents, computers, and mobile phones belonging to Newcastle builder James Shafren. The order follows allegations from a client that Shafren billed for nearly 500 hours of work in a single month, totaling approximately $150,000.

Justice Hayley Bennett granted the search order after finding evidence that suggested a “strong possibility of deceit or fraud” or, alternatively, breach of contract and misleading conduct. The judge described the claimed working hours as “highly implausible,” noting that the invoices included days where Shafren allegedly worked up to 19.5 hours at a rate of $300 per hour.

The investigation was prompted when the client reviewed Shafren’s public online presence. Evidence presented to the court included records from the fitness app Strava, sports league websites, and Facebook posts. The company alleges these digital footprints, which show activities such as exercising and attending a wedding, conflict with the hours billed for work.