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Fake Police scam: UK national arrested after nearly $300k lost
A Police investigation has turned the heat up on a cold-calling scammer claiming to be an officer.
Police recently shared about the scam in which victims receive a call to their landline phone, by someone pretending to be a Police officer and providing a fake badge number.
In recent weeks, 18… View moreA Police investigation has turned the heat up on a cold-calling scammer claiming to be an officer.
Police recently shared about the scam in which victims receive a call to their landline phone, by someone pretending to be a Police officer and providing a fake badge number.
In recent weeks, 18 Aucklanders have allegedly been duped out of more than a quarter of a million dollars.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton, from Auckland City’s Financial Crime Unit, says victims are told a story about needing their assistance with an investigation.
“The scam will always involve this so-called officer asking for financial information or asking you to withdraw cash to be collected as part of an investigation into banks,” he says.
On Monday, real Police officers caught up with the scammer following a foot chase through central Auckland.
Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says a 25-year-old UK national was taken into custody.
Today, he will face the Auckland District Court on 22 charges of obtains by deception, attempting to obtain by deception and escaping custody.
Police will be opposing his bail.
“We will allege in court that this man, who only arrived in New Zealand in early June, was on his way at the time to collect more cash from a previous victim,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.
“Instead, real detectives turned up at the victim’s doorstep to advise him he was about to be scammed out of $20,000 in cash.
“Financial Crime investigators from all three policing districts' fraud teams in Tāmaki Makaurau have been working together to piece together this offending, and this is a great outcome.”
Aucklanders who fell victim of the scam were aged between 56 and 90, with the majority over 80.
“This man’s alleged actions betrayed the good-will of vulnerable and elderly members of our community,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.
The offender has victims from right across Auckland, with a total of $297,700 in cash lost.
Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says enquiries are ongoing, and Police will work to recover as much of the cash as possible.
Please remember:
- Police will never call to ask you for bank details, pin numbers or passwords
- Police do not offer prize money
- Police will not ask you to go to a bank to withdraw money
- If you receive a call out of the blue of a similar nature: challenge the caller to identify themselves, ask for their details.
- Hang up, contact 105 to verify the ID and request the officer to contact you
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Celebrating Matariki
We’re open for Matariki! See our displays showcasing Māori culture 🤍❤️🖤 and the cosmos 💫 at 571 Sandringham Road.
Monday-Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday: Closed
571 Sandringham Road
Keep yourself protected against Covid
It might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, keeping up to date with the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free. And… View moreIt might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, keeping up to date with the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free. And recommended for you and many others as long as you haven’t had the vaccine, or Covid, in the last 6 months.
To book your vaccination, or talk to your healthcare provider.
Indian workers claim they were made to work 17-hour days with no pay, treated like slaves by restaurant chain
A group of 19 Indian migrant workers claim they are being made to work in what they describe as slave-like conditions up to 17 hours per day with no pay at Auckland restaurant chain Daaku Kebab.
The men claim they each paid between $26,000 and $60,000 for the work visas they feel have now trapped … View moreA group of 19 Indian migrant workers claim they are being made to work in what they describe as slave-like conditions up to 17 hours per day with no pay at Auckland restaurant chain Daaku Kebab.
The men claim they each paid between $26,000 and $60,000 for the work visas they feel have now trapped them.
They said they went to Sikh temples for help, and the temple communities were now supplying them with groceries. Daljit Singh, a spokesman for the Supreme Sikh Society said the workers were “not in a good shape mentally”.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Mbie) confirmed it had received complaints about alleged migrant exploitation at Daaku Kebab and the matter had been referred to its investigations team.
Daaku Kebab has five outlets across Auckland. One of its two directors, known by the single name Sourav, has denied the allegations as “baseless”.
Khawaish Singh, 24, said he paid $26,000 for his visa and a job at Daaku Kebab, and claims that for the first two months he received no payments despite being made to work 17-hour days.
He and three other workers - Partab Singh, 26, Narender Singh, 33, and Harsh Singh, 27 - share a basement in Papatoetoe and say they survive on food and groceries they get from the Sikh temple.
Khawaish said he worked from 11am to 4am for two months under “training” and received no payment for his work. He was just given meals.
“We are treated just like slaves and I didn’t feel like I was being treated like a human being at all,” said Khawaish, who first started work for the chain in July last year.
Khawaish said he started getting paid in September but did not know how much he received hourly because the company did not give him payslips.
Co-workers Partab, Narender and Harsh shared similar claims with the Herald, alleging they were being made to work long hours with little or no pay after paying tens of thousands of dollars for their visas.
Harsh claims he paid $60,000 for his visa because the company had promised he could be a shareholder.
“When I asked about getting a proper salary so I can repay the money I borrowed, they threatened by saying the business will be sold and all the money that I paid will be gone,” he claimed.
He feared that not repaying a loan for the money he borrowed to pay for his visa would put his family in danger.
Sourav denies all the allegations. “These allegations are all denied, but under legal advice I am unable to comment further whilst an investigation is under way.”
He said the problems arose from a “personal matter concerning families back home in India”.
“They are unable to substantiate the amounts alleged and this is a baseless allegation,” he said.
“Some of these employees have refused to work, quarrelled with customers, and have committed acts of theft on business premises.”
Sourav said he had faced pressure from the families of the men back in India to continue employing them.
He also said he had reached out to the workers “to finalise their outstanding dues and minimum employment entitlements which they are entitled to”.
“They have not yet responded to my request,” he said.
In an email dated June 17 and sighted by the Herald, Sourav said he would like to meet with the workers to resolve their employment dispute.
He said their payslips will be provided to them then.
In a previous email on June 12, Sourav said he was selling the business and gave the men two weeks to find another job or seek other options.
“Business is much slower than I expected, to be honest I put all my personal savings into my business and even still can’t afford my food expenses and my home loan . . . so I decided to sell my business,” he wrote.
Daljit Singh, a spokesman for the Supreme Sikh Society, said 19 workers linked to Daaku Kebab had sought help from Sikh temples in Papatoetoe and Takanini.
He claimed they had “been scammed”, and said it was his belief that they were paying for a pathway to residency and getting part of the business.
He said the temple had been supporting the group with groceries and supplies, and they came to the temples at least once a day for hot meals.
James Friend, Mbie acting national manager investigations, said the complaints were being referred to the ministry’s investigations team.
“We have received complaints which have been referred to our investigations team,” Friend said.
“To protect the integrity of our investigation, we will not be commenting on details of an ongoing investigation.”
The four men who spoke to the Herald had been assessed to be eligible to apply for the Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa.
This is the latest among a string of alleged exploitation cases linked to Immigration New Zealand’s accredited employer work visa (AEWV) scheme, which followed an employer-led process to hire migrant workers.
As at June 3, Immigration had approved 120,472 AEWV applications, and 35,264 accredited employers that use the scheme to attain work visas for as many staff as they wanted.
There are currently 255 active investigations on 246 accredited employers under way and 366 have had their accreditation either revoked or suspended.
It remains unclear how many people have been exploited as a result of companies exploiting the scheme and migrants wanting to move to New Zealand.
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Residents ‘dig’ Ryman’s Trees for Fees initiative
With 500 trees now newly-planted on a slope in a Whitford farm paddock, Ryman Healthcare is well on the way to fulfilling its promise of a more sustainable invoicing process.
For every resident who switches from paper to email invoicing, Ryman has pledged to plant a tree, and has partnered with … View moreWith 500 trees now newly-planted on a slope in a Whitford farm paddock, Ryman Healthcare is well on the way to fulfilling its promise of a more sustainable invoicing process.
For every resident who switches from paper to email invoicing, Ryman has pledged to plant a tree, and has partnered with Trees for Survival Charitable Trust to achieve this goal.
Click read more for the full story.
Do you volunteer or know someone who does?
It's NZ Volunteer Week (16-22 June) and we know there are real good sorts in your community.
Often these kind acts and regular volunteering efforts go unnoticed but let's put a stop to that.
Let us know below who is making a difference in your neighbourhood so we can all … View moreIt's NZ Volunteer Week (16-22 June) and we know there are real good sorts in your community.
Often these kind acts and regular volunteering efforts go unnoticed but let's put a stop to that.
Let us know below who is making a difference in your neighbourhood so we can all appreciate them for the great work that they do!
Check your details!
If you’ve got a power account and live in Central, East or South Auckland, a dividend payment may be coming your way in late September. It’s as easy as looking out for the Entrust pack in your letterbox or email inbox.
Check we have your correct details and update us by email, mail or … View moreIf you’ve got a power account and live in Central, East or South Auckland, a dividend payment may be coming your way in late September. It’s as easy as looking out for the Entrust pack in your letterbox or email inbox.
Check we have your correct details and update us by email, mail or through the secure web link provided in your email or letter.
New Lottery, New Home
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in the charming coastal town of Mangawhai, worth almost $1.4 million dollars.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be … View moreFor only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in the charming coastal town of Mangawhai, worth almost $1.4 million dollars.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or you can simply sell it!
Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Live Dosa on Weekend
We're open at 60, Dornwell Road (Opp to Mt Roskill Collision Centre) this Saturday and Sunday from 9am - 6pm ⏰
We’ve got a balanced variety of dosa, idly and medu vada for you all to choose from this weekend! We’ve also got gazebo seating available! ☔️
See you all soon!
Spice up your winter
When it’s cold outside, there's nothing quite like being inside the cosy warmth of a kitchen infused with the aroma of spices. But did you know that beyond their aromatic allure, these spices harbour a treasure trove of health benefits?
From the fiery kick of chilli to the sweet warmth of… View moreWhen it’s cold outside, there's nothing quite like being inside the cosy warmth of a kitchen infused with the aroma of spices. But did you know that beyond their aromatic allure, these spices harbour a treasure trove of health benefits?
From the fiery kick of chilli to the sweet warmth of cinnamon, each spice brings not only flavour but also a host of nutrients and healing properties to our winter dishes. So, whether you're sipping on mulled wine, indulging in gingerbread, or savouring a hearty stew, every bite promises to not just please your palate but also contribute to your overall wellbeing.
Click read more for the full story.
Berry trellis
Give your berries room to grow and plenty of airflow with this helpful trellis finished in Resene Kwila Timber Stain. Keeping the canes off the ground means berries stay healthy and are easy to reach when ready to pick.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Hair Dryer For Sale - hardly used
Vidal Sassoon hair dryer with instruction booklet.
RRP$ 79.99 Selling for less than half price $20
Excellent condition. Hardly used. I don't need it anymore as I have very short hair now!
Pick up Avondale (fairly close to Blockhouse Bay Road & Rosebank Road).
Price: $20
An introduction to Insight Meditation -- six-week class series
Six-week course, Wed 24th July 2024 to Wed 28th August 2024
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Discover the transformative power of insight meditation in this comprehensive six-week course, led by two highly-experienced meditation teachers, … View moreSix-week course, Wed 24th July 2024 to Wed 28th August 2024
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Discover the transformative power of insight meditation in this comprehensive six-week course, led by two highly-experienced meditation teachers, Jill Shepherd and Sue Dykes.
Insight meditation uses mindfulness to develop more steadiness and calm, so that we can see some common thought-patterns that create stress and distress, and learn how to help those patterns release. As a result of that deeper self-understanding, we can live with more ease, happiness and peace.
Over six consecutive Wednesday evening meetings, we will explore some of the key techniques of insight meditation. Topics covered will include:
- Mindfulness of the body, including sitting postures and walking meditation
- Mindfulness of thoughts and emotions, including methods to reduce afflictive thought patterns and strengthen beneficial ones
- Mindfulness in daily life, including mindful speaking and listening
- Practices for cultivating kindness, compassion and self-compassion.
Cost for all six sessions: $60 plus donation,* or for people experiencing financial stress, $30 plus donation.
Don't miss out on $15,000 back
It could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list — until 31 July 2024 if you sign up for one … View moreIt could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list — until 31 July 2024 if you sign up for one of our new home offers at Murray Halberg Village, you’ll get a $15,000 credit on settlement*. There’s truly never been a better time to choose Ryman.
*Terms and conditions apply
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