Auckland (The NZ Today)
The Serious Fraud Office is asking the public for help identifying three people as investigators unravel an alleged mortgage fraud operation in which stolen identities were used to obtain almost $5 million in lending against properties without the owners knowing.
The SFO has released images of two men and a woman it believes may have information relevant to the investigation. The three people are not among those currently facing charges.
Investigators believe the alleged criminal syndicate stole the identities of at least three people and used their personal details to arrange mortgages over properties belonging to the victims.
According to the SFO, the property owners were unaware mortgages were being taken out against their homes.
The alleged operation was sophisticated, with those involved accused of creating or using a range of documents and accounts to make fraudulent applications appear genuine.
These allegedly included a forged New Zealand driver licence, residential tenancy records and immigration documents, along with foreign passports.
Investigators also allege fictitious addresses, a PO Box, phone numbers and email accounts were used as part of the scheme.
Bank accounts were allegedly opened in the victims’ names so money obtained through the mortgage lending could be received and moved.
The appeal comes after two women were arrested following an SFO search warrant at an Epsom property last week.
They appeared in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday facing four joint charges of obtaining by deception.
Both women have been granted interim name suppression and are expected to return to court on August 26.
The SFO is now trying to establish the identities of the additional two men and woman, who investigators believe may frequent the Albany and St Lukes areas of Auckland.
Anyone who recognises the three people or has information that could assist the investigation is being urged to contact the Serious Fraud Office.
The allegations against those charged remain before the courts and have not been proven.
Based on information released by the Serious Fraud Office.
