In Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Master Wealth Control Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 344 the Federal Court of Australia decided that DG Institute breached the Australian Consumer Law by making false or misleading representations to consumers about two courses and mentoring programs relating to property and business investment, including strategies for asset protection.

The Court found that sole Director Dominique Grubisa was knowingly concerned in DG Institute’s contraventions through her role in making the statements on video in promotional materials and program materials, and in drafting, reviewing, editing and/or approving content for these materials. The Court also found that Ms Grubisa knew that the representations she made about both programs were in fact false and misleading.

The case considered representations by two programs and decided that:

• the Real Estate Rescue (RER) program had a benefit which it did not have, being the benefit of assisting distressed homeowners to retain some of the value of the equity in their properties in the event of a sale when they would otherwise lose all of the value of their equity
• the Master Wealth Control (MWC) program had a benefit which it did not have, being the benefit of equipping consumers with a strategy that was effective to protect all of their assets in a way that would provide complete protection from creditors .

In the financial years ended 30 June 2018 to 30 June 2021, DG Institute earned revenue from the RER program in the total amount of $8,876,025.

During the financial years ended 30 June 2018 to 30 June 2021, DG Institute earned revenue attributable to the MWC program in the total amount of $9,223,457.

Penalties are to be decided.

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