Residents and fellow agents say a local figure behind a “Concerned Buyers” Facebook group has been filming occupants in their homes.

Police and privacy authorities are urged to investigate.

A Facebook group for potential buyers at 443 Queen Street in Brisbane has become the focus of serious allegations after residents disclosed directly to me, that they were filmed through their own apartment windows by another resident.

A local Real Estate Agent explains how they were publicly doxxed within the group by the administrator, who published information about them including their name, business name, home address and other personal information.

The Facebook group which bills itself as a forum for “concerned buyers” is filled with complaint posts from the administrator about construction delays and disputes but residents say it has also been used to intimidate and harass residents.

Background / Context

443 Queen Street is a high-profile development that has attracted media attention over construction delays and buyer disputes.

Individuals identified in the media as buyers at the development, have previously been quoted in reporting about those issues publicly.

Allegations

Multiple residents, who have asked not to be named told me directly that they were filmed through their windows using cameras and binoculars by the Facebook Group’s Admin. She has been spotted tailgating in the lift to exit on floors that her key doesn’t allow. She takes photographs of things that are displeasing to her like front door mats and any personal additions made by owners to their front door or garden.

Two people known to me personally, contacted me to tell me they were filmed directly from outside or from neighbouring properties. Both have been photographed and stalked with binoculars.

One local real-estate professional who resides in the building is under constant scrutiny and harassment, cyber bullying (private or identifying information was published about them online by the bully) to which was reported to police. The perpetrator has since moved her harrassment to the email of her fellow agent.

It should be noted that the woman in charge of the facebook group and all the turmoil within the building is also a real estate agent.

(Names withheld pending investigation and to protect victims)

Evidence Observed

• Public posts and comments in the Facebook group
• Multiple entries complaining about the building (that she also bought into)
• Property listings and business directory entries naming Mirka Shannon Realty / MIRKA SHANNON PTY LTD (public company / ABN data)
• Befriends residents to extract information to use and cause division between residents
• Actively working toward bringing down the property value of the building
• Badmouthing the building to potential buyers and visitors in the lobby (verifiable witnesses)
• Submitting photographs of victims to the body corporate and demanding action against said victims

Questions Raised

According to the multiple residents who have contacted me regarding the harassment (by Mirka Shannon) have eluded to the idea that Mirka has some sort of control over the chairman and members of the body corporate.

Questions have been raised about what kind of dirt she may have on the chairman or members of the body corporate and whispers about “fear” of what Mirka Shannon might post about members / chairman in her public harassment group.

When I read through the public group without a facebook account, I was appalled at the level of unprofessionalism Mirka Shannon presents to the public as a real estate agent in Brisbane.

Legal and Privacy Context

Filming someone in a private place without their consent can be a criminal matter. Queensland Police investigate voyeurism and stalking offenses, on behalf of members of the public.

Members of the public who believe they’ve been filmed without consent should contact police. The Queensland Office of the Information Commissioner provides guidance on residential camera and privacy issues.

Calls To Action! Next Steps For Readers

If you are a resident of 443 Queen street and you believe you’ve been filmed by Ms Shannon: Document it – preserve evidence (date/time-stamped screenshots, footage) do not engage with this offender. We have reason to believe she could be dangerous / unhinged – report your statement and evidence to the Queensland Police who are already aware and have received reports regarding the behaviour of this individual.

To report online posts or groups, use Facebook’s reporting tools and keep screenshots. In this case, a licensed agent is involved and we suspect professional misconduct, so we urge you to also lodge a complaint with the Queensland Office of Fair Trading.

See resources below.

Why This Matters

The allegations made raise concerns about privacy, safety and overstep the boundaries of legitimate public criticism. Public forums can be useful for legitimate buyer advocacy but they can also be used to harass individuals and publish private information – which may be illegal.

The fellow agent who has been bullied by agent Mirka Shannon has been personally attacked and her business slandered for Mirka’s personal grievances about a decorative item on the balcony a high floor, not visible from the street, but visible with Mirka’s camera and binoculars.

This is a breach of privacy and professionalism.

Practical Safety and Reporting Steps (for Mirka’s victims)

Preserve evidence and journal dates and times of offensive behaviour

• Screenshot any offending posts in the group that names residents (include timestamps and URLs) include any video clips, photos, and witness contact details. Keep you originals. Copy to an external drive / cloud if possible.
• If you can photograph Mirka filming you or using her binoculars toward you, this would be helpful for the building’s case.

Report to Queensland Police

• Voyeurism, stalking and filming without consent are police matters. Provide the evidence. If someone feels in immediate danger call 000
• For non-emergency reporting, use your local police station or the QLD Police non-urgent number. (If you want, you can use my draft for the report you submit to police)

Report to Facebook

• Use “Report Group” and “Report Post” options. Save confirmation of the report (screenshot)
• This is a public group which was a foolish decision on the Admin’s behalf
• On behalf of the victims I personally, Kate Archer, request that the group is changed from public to private. This will ensure the grievances of the only contributor, Mirka Shannon, are kept in a private group setting so her victims aren’t continued to be named and slandered within a group that anyone can be accessed by anyone with or without a facebook account.

Contact Crime Stoppers

• 1800 333 000 (Australia) for anonymous tips about criminal activity.

Privacy and Legal Advice

• The OIC’s residential recording guide is a good primer on what’s likely to be unlawful in Queensland. If the harassment continues, consider seeking legal advice about restraining orders, cease-and-desist letters, or defamation/harassment proceedings

If You’re a Licensed Agent or a Complainant Concerned About Professional Conduct

Lodge a complaint with the Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT) they handle licensing and professional conduct and would benefit from more submissions with regard to this matter

Media Enquiries

Media enquiries regarding this story are welcome, this is an ongoing case. We work toward the right to privacy of the residents of 443 Queen St

The facebook group naming the building “443 Queen St” should be deleted for the health, safety and benefit of all residents of named building.

Victims have not been named for privacy and ongoing investigation

Updates

Follow for more as I continue to provide updates about this investigation as I get more information