Wānaka $1 million cancer fraudsters had rifle and ammunition

Following media coverage of the pair’s arrest last week, Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye says four more potential victims have come forward, while Police enquiries have identified another three potential victims.

“This is on top of the three people who had already made complaints to Police, and resulted in the arrests of the pair,” he says.

The 28-year-old man and 38-year-old woman arrested last week are due to reappear in Christchurch District Court on Monday 25 August, on multiple charges of obtaining by deception.

Andrew Stewart Jones (28) and Sepiuta Setaita Vave (38) are accused of defrauding friends and family to the tune of $1 million with a bogus cancer diagnosis.

A search warrant conducted on a storage unit in Wanaka as part of the enquiry last week located a .22 rifle, restricted weapons, and over 2000 rounds of ammunition. Further enquiries in relation to the warrant are ongoing, and charges are likely to be filed in coming weeks.

Previously living on the West Coast, the couple had recently moved to Wānaka where they had been "living the high life" with rented properties and high-end European cars, Det Snr Sgt Dye said.

"Their lavish lifestyle has been funded with money allegedly defrauded from family, friends and associates, for cancer treatment that inquiries show was never required and never obtained."

“I would like to thank those who have contacted Police as a result of media coverage last week,” Detective Sergeant Dye says.

“Members of the Tasman Organised Crime Unit are in the process of contacting all identified victims in order to obtain statements in relation to any offending.”