Wānaka couple charged with $1 million fraud

Police executed a warrant earlier this week at a Wānaka address and charged a 28-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman with defrauding a person of $1,044,500 over the past two years.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye said the Tasman Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) has been investigating two suspects who first lived on the West Coast and have recently moved to Wānaka where they have been living the high life with rented properties and high end European cars.

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.

“The TOCU has been investigating this matter for only two weeks and has acted as promptly as possible to prevent further offending on this scale.

“Inquiries to date including an ongoing financial analysis of bank accounts used by the couple which indicates there are other victims who have not yet spoken with police. We’re identifying who they are and will be investigating their complaints.”

Existing matters against the couple were filed at court in April 2024 for fraud related offending against another two victims, totalling $79,000. They will appear in the Queenstown District Court where bail is opposed.

“Members of the TOCU will continue to investigate this matter to ensure all offenders are held to account. We’re also seizing assets where possible to assist with any possible reparation, and so that potential victims are protected from further offending by this couple.

“If you feel like you have given money away to this couple that matches with some of the deceptive reasons mentioned here or have information that can assist the inquiry, contact the Tasman Organised Crime Unit.”

“We’re based in Greymouth where the team will be actively investigating your complaint. Please quote case number 241031/7310,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye.

Main Image: Police say the fraudsters spending included high end vehicles.