Court orders search of builder's phone after $150k monthly billing claim
A court approved a search of Newcastle builder James Shafren's devices after a company alleged massive overbilling.
A Newcastle Supreme Court judge ordered independent searchers to examine James Shafren's computers and phones after a company accused him of massive overbilling. The company alleged his invoices claimed up to 19.5 hours of work a day at $300 an hour, totalling almost $150,000 in a single month.
That works out to roughly 16 hours a day, seven days a week. The judge called the hours "highly implausible".
Evidence included Strava fitness app logs showing Mr Shafren exercised roughly one to two hours daily during periods he claimed to be working long days. The company also pointed to Facebook posts and sports league records.
Justice Hayley Bennett found the evidence raised a strong possibility of deceit or fraud or, at the very least, breach of contract. She noted he had switched the project's document management system after questions were raised.
- Almost $150,000
- Monthly bill
- $300 per hour
- Hourly rate
- Close to 500 hours
- Hours claimed monthly
- Justice Hayley Bennett
- Judge
Why it mattersThe case exposes how fitness apps and social media posts can become evidence of work fraud, raising questions about billing practices across contractor relationships.
AustraliaAustralian businesses relying on contractor invoicing now see a court willing to examine digital evidence to test implausible billing claims.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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