Two UK nationals are set to be deported for their involvement in a text phishing scam which police say “plagued Kiwis with millions of fraudulent messages”.
Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton from the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit said the texts impersonated well-known and trusted organisations.
Some victims lost between $10,000 and $100,000, he added.
Alvin Agyeman Acheampong and Alexander Manfo, both nineteen, were sentenced in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday.
Acheampong was sentenced to two years in prison on multiple charges for fraud offences committed during the scam. He was convicted on representative charges of accessing a computer system for a dishonest purpose, obtaining a document for a pecuniary advantage and possessing goods capable of being used to facilitate crimes.
Manfo was convicted on a representative charge of possessing goods capable of being used to facilitate crimes. He was sentenced to 400 hours of community service with a $3400 fine.
Manfo will leave the country later this week, with Acheampong also being deported after completing his prison time.
‘A source of so much hurt and frustration for Kiwis’
The pair’s operation was disrupted in February. Police worked in partnership with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) to make the arrests, a police spokesperson said.
Bolton said it was “one of the first occasions where police have laid charges for what is a complex cybercrime”.
“This type of scam is continuing to be a source of so much hurt and frustration for Kiwis.
“A prison sentence sends a very clear signal to any criminal group looking to set up shop in this country,” he said.
“New Zealand authorities are working closer than ever, and we will catch up with you.”
The two men were arrested at an Albert Street apartment in central Auckland when police and DIA staff carried out a search warrant.
“As a result of further digital forensic investigation, we identified that in five days this pair had sent out more than 12,000 text messages to unsuspecting Kiwis,” Bolton said.
“It pays to be vigilant at all times with text or email messages asking you to click on links.”
Joe Teo from DIA said the operation’s success was due to public reporting and collaboration.
“Scams harm New Zealanders both financially and psychologically.
“This joint operation … sends a clear message to all scammers – you will be caught, and you will be dealt with using the full force of the law.”
Anyone who believes they are the victim of a scam was urged to report it to police online or call 105.