prosecution | Case number:

Two accused of conspiring to deceive Afghan evacuees

The Serious Fraud Office has charged two men who are alleged to have taken advantage of Afghan evacuees looking to flee the Taliban, by seeking thousands of dollars in payment for evacuation services that were provided for free by the New Zealand Government.
The SFO has charged the first defendant with conspiracy to obtain by deception, obtaining by deception, using a forged document, attempting to pervert the course of justice and obstructing an SFO investigation. The second defendant faces a charge of conspiracy to obtain by deception.

Both defendants have interim name suppression and have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Case Timeline

• Jun 2023

  Both defendants are arrested in Hamilton and appear in Hamilton District Court. They are released on bail and next scheduled to appear on 13 July.

• Jul 2023

  Defendants appear in the Hamilton District Court and enter not guilty pleas on all charges.