Financial Crime

Two police sections deal specifically with financial crime - the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Proceeds of Crime Unit.


Financial Intelligence Unit

Based in Wellington, the FIU collects information on suspicious financial transaction reports that come from banks and other financial institutions. The unit also monitors large amounts of cash crossing our borders, and supports investigations into money laundering.

The Financial Intelligence Unit has prepared Best Practice Guidelines for Financial Institutions [updated 19 August 2008] to assist New Zealand financial institutions in meeting their obligations under the Financial Transactions Reporting Act 1996.

Scams and frauds

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs Scamwatch! page has up-to-date information on scams running in New Zealand.

Further information on known frauds and scams is available on the Fraud Alert web site provided by the London Metropolitan Police Fraud Squad.

If you are suddenly offered an investment deal from Nigeria it is almost certainly a scam. See the above site for more details. Some Nigerian scammers have been running for over 10 years - we request that you do not advise us of known Nigerian scams.

The Commerce Commission deals with matters regarding misleading or deceptive conduct under the New Zealand Fair Trading Act.

The New Zealand Serious Fraud Office provides information on "large" frauds.

The Securities Commission provides a list of known overseas brokers who do not comply with New Zealand law yet have targeted people in New Zealand.


Proceeds of Crime Unit

The Proceeds of Crime Act 1992 provides for the confiscation of assets, property or money used in or gained from serious criminal offending.

Proceeds of Crime staff are based in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. Their job is to investigate offenders' assets, make applications to the courts, and help with criminal investigations.


Useful web sites

31155 since 9 Apr 2006