Liquidators will sell reality TV star Teddy Briggs's prized Mercedes-Benz as part of their efforts to claw back more than $600,000 owed to creditors ranging from government agencies to disgruntled customers of his controversial online business.
The former Love Island and Celebrity Amazing Race contestant placed his business Teddy Briggs Co into liquidation in November. It was formerly known as Ecom Connect.
In a report, seen by 7.30, liquidators from Oracle Insolvency Services estimated the company owes creditors $643,725.77 – including more than $185,000 to the Australian Taxation Office.
The list also includes 22 customers of Ecom Connect.
In a statement, Oracle Insolvency Services partner Yulia Petrenko said her investigations into the business were continuing.
"Our priority is to work through how much money is owed, what went wrong and whether the company has any assets which may be sold to pay creditors," Ms Petrenko said.
The creditors' report noted a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon would be auctioned off to recoup some debts.
"We expect a small amount of equity will arise from the sale," the report said.
Loading...Mr Briggs had previously posted a video promoting Ecom Connect featuring his G-Wagon.
"Guaranteed to work, start making sales day one," he said in one social media post.
Clients complain about online stores
Loading...Mr Briggs pitched Ecom Connect as a service that saved aspiring online retailers time and effort by building online shops from scratch, including sourcing products, building websites, developing advertising campaigns and providing ongoing support.
Earlier this year, 7.30 spoke with 13 people who had paid Mr Briggs up to $20,000 for Ecom Connect's services, each of whom said there was a huge gap between what was advertised and what they received.
One former customer was Brisbane woman Yerri Guy, who pooled money with a friend to use Ecom Connect services. They were allocated a store selling astronaut-shaped light projectors.
"[The website had] bad grammar, bad language, spelling errors throughout it, there was no currency converter, there was no terms and conditions, no shipping information, there was no videos on the site, it was hard to navigate," Ms Guy told 7.30 in May.
Several clients – including Ms Guy – were told Ecom Connect would not provide refunds but would instead build new websites selling different products until they were successful.
"If I had paid somebody to build a house for me, and when I picked up the keys on handover day the house was half built, with cracks, falling down, and then I asked for a refund and they said, 'No, no, but I'll rebuild it for you,' why on earth would I ever trust that person to ever rebuild me a house?" Ms Guy said.
Ms Petrenko said five Ecom Connect clients had lodged civil claims against the company. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and NSW Fair Trading have also received complaints.
Mr Briggs has been contacted for comment.
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