Media Releases

2013

24 May 2013

SFO charges multiple suspects in mortgage fraud

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today laid 48 Crimes Act charges against a group of individuals allegedly involved in a complex series of mortgage frauds.

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23 May 2013

Dominion CEO sentenced

The former CEO of Dominion Finance Group Limited (Dominion) and North South Finance Limited (North South) was today sentenced in relation to four Crimes Act charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) arising out of the collapse those companies.

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16 May 2013

Four more men sentenced for fraud against Dunedin company

Four sentences have been handed down in the Auckland District Court today for fraudulently obtaining loans from Dunedin-based vehicle finance company, Motor Trade Finances Limited (MTF).

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10 May 2013

SFO provides further details of Hanover investigation

Following last week’s announcement of the completion of its Hanover Finance investigation, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) received a number of requests for details of the cost of that investigation.

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01 May 2013

SFO still concerned of risks of fraud in Christchurch

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has announced today that it has completed and closed one investigation relating to the Christchurch rebuild. However, SFO continues to warn of the potential risks of fraud and corruption in the city.

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30 April 2013

SFO concludes finance company investigations

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has completed its investigation of Hanover Finance Limited, bringing to an end its investigations into the 2007/08 finance company collapses. That process, which saw SFO investigate 15 separate companies, resulted in criminal prosecutions in relation to nine companies. Overall, 23 individuals have faced charges laid by SFO.

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17 April 2013

Another finance company director held to account

Stephen Charles Smith (45), pleaded guilty at the Auckland High Court today to 25 charges arising out of the collapse of Belgrave Finance Limited (Belgrave Finance). The charges were brought in a joint prosecution by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

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12 April 2013

Senior Executive of failed Dominion Finance guilty

Paul William Cropp (49) has today been found guilty of four Crimes Act charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). The charges relate to failed finance companies Dominion Finance Group Limited (Dominion) and North South Finance Limited (North South). Both companies were wholly owned subsidiaries of NZX listed Dominion Finance Holdings Limited.

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22 March 2013

Guilty verdicts for loan fraudsters

Three men charged with Crimes Act offences have been found guilty by jury in the Auckland District Court today in relation to a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation.

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21 March 2013

Serious Fraud Office focus on Christchurch

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has confirmed various measures they are taking to address the risks of fraud and corruption during the Christchurch rebuild.

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01 March 2013

Rural accountant sentenced on SFO charges

Gary Malcolm Hobbs (45) has been sentenced in the Hamilton District Court today to three years and seven months’ imprisonment.

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13 February 2013

Economic crime fighters tighten net for international fraudsters

Fraudsters who think they can get away with crime in one country and hide in another part of the world will have to think again.

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01 February 2013

Guilty plea to SFO commercial corruption charges

Christopher David Green (66) today pleaded guilty in respect of offending under Section 4 of the Secret Commissions Act at the Auckland District Court.

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01 February 2013

SFO confirms financial services provider investigation

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the affairs of former financial services provider and former director of Auckland based Strategic Planning Group Limited, Andrew Hrothgar Robinson (39).

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23 January 2013

SFO lays charges against forex trader

Criminal charges have been laid in the Auckland District Court today against Rene Alan Chalmers (42) following a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation.

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22 January 2013

SFO close investigation into Hawkins Construction

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has announced that it has completed and closed an investigation into one of New Zealand’s largest privately owned construction companies, Hawkins Construction Limited (Hawkins).

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16 January 2013

SFO charge gold trader

The Serious Fraud Office has today laid criminal charges against Kairuaiti Tangata Oropai Robert Kairua (52), the director of Grace Holdings NZ Limited (Grace NZ).

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16 January 2013

SFO investigation results in early guilty plea

Glenn William Cooper (39) plead guilty in the Manukau District Court today to charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) late last year.

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