Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry, Organised Crime Unit, Northland Police
Police have arrested three people with links to the Head Hunters motorcycle gang after they allegedly obtained over half a million dollars in fraudulent loans.
Organised Crime Unit detectives, assisted by the Northland Asset Recovery Unit and district staff, carried out a total of five search warrants throughout Northland, Hamilton and Auckland this week.
The warrants were part of a Northland Organised Crime Unit operation targeting the group who have allegedly been obtaining cash through fraudulent car loan applications over several years.
It’s alleged the key player has been scamming finance companies into offering loans to purchase cars since 2017.
Falsified bank documents were allegedly used to get loans approved and then fake settlement statements were produced to obtain further loans and more money.
A 30-year-old woman is facing 22 fraud charges before the Hamilton District Court.
Two other individuals, aged 28 and 34, are believed to have assisted her in the alleged fraud, and also face a number of charges including Obtains by Deception.
A total of six companies were defrauded of $500,000 in this scam.
All have links to the Head Hunters motorcycle gang and are before the Whangārei, Hamilton and Auckland District Courts.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry says the offending would have had a financial impact on the companies who were defrauded.
He says the operation demonstrates Police’s commitment to targeting organised crime groups and the harm they cause in the community.
“The Northland Organised Crime Unit is determined to target those who make a living from illegal activities and committed to hold those people accountable for their actions. We’re also focused on stripping them of their wealth and they money they’ve made through crime,” he says.
Police seized three vehicles as part of the operation, including a BMW Sedan, Ford Ranger Utility and a Nissan Navara Utility.
The Asset Recovery Unit also restrained two properties in Northland worth $300,000.
Police cannot rule out further arrests and charges as the investigation continues.
ENDS
Adriana Weber/NZ Police
