Kiwis lose millions to offshore scammers
Police are warning the public to be vigilant and wary of calls from phone scammers following a rise in complaints recently which have seen some victims lose tens of thousands of dollars.
Detective Sergeant Kelly Corby from the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit said an investigation, named Operation Hyattsville, is looking into more than 20 complaints from victims who have lost money in the past couple of months to phone scammers operating overseas.
One of these victims, 80-year-old Auckland City resident Marion, was conned by the scammers in a video posted today on the Auckland City District Police Facebook page.
Marion had $10,000 taken from her account after a caller convinced her that there was an urgent issue with her Spark account and they needed to access her computer remotely to fix the issue.
The convincing scammer asked Marion to download the Teamviewer application which allowed them to access her computer before asking for her banking details.
Fortunately, Marion’s bank got in touch after noticing suspicious banking activity and the money was able to be recovered.
Detective Sergeant Corby said unfortunately in most instances the victims are not as lucky as Marion, with several million dollars lost by Kiwis to these offshore scammers in the past few months alone.
“We are not talking about small amounts of money. On average, each victim has lost around $30,000 and these losses are absolutely devastating for our victims,” he said.
“Phone scams are nothing new, however we are concerned after seeing a growing trend of cases recently where victims have been conned over the phone.”
Corby said if you think you are a victim of a phone scam, you need to act fast and notify your bank immediately.
“There is a simple way to stop yourself from being a victim. Do not give your personal banking information out over the phone and do not allow the person over the phone to access your computer,” he said.
“There is no legitimate reason that a company will need to access your computer remotely. Do not download any application which allows them to access it.
A similar investigation by the Auckland Financial Crime Unit last year, Operation Deadwood, resulted in Police charging 18 people for money laundering offences after hundreds of phone scam victims lost more than $2.5 million.
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East Auckland Christmas light displays 2025
East Auckland Christmas Light displays
FINAL UPDATE. 23 December 2025 11:15.
Google map with all of these houses pin pointed: maps.app.goo.gl...
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CONFIRMED CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS 2025:
7 Northpark Ave, Northpark. 8pm to 10pm Mon-Thu, 8pm to 11pm Fri-Sun. Synchronised to music. Website with status/information: northparklights.remotefalcon.com... (my own light show).
6 Kookaburra Place, Botany Downs. 8:30pm to 10:30pm every night. Donations for Bellyful.
5 Ben Lomond Cres, East Gate Church Christmas Light show. 7Pm to 11pm. Christmas walk-through running 18 – 23 December 7pm – 10pm.
18 Redcastle Drive, East Tāmaki. 9:15pm to 11pm. Synchronised to music. FB page: www.facebook.com...
13 Tui Vale Road Shelly Park. 6:30pm to Midnight. Santa visiting 23rd & 24th December.
9 Drysdale Place, Somerville 8.30 to 11pm.
10 Saidia Place, Huntington Park. 8:30pm to 10:00pm.
1 Woodview Rise, Botany. 8:30pm to 11pm.
57 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
1 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
51a Paparoa Road, Cockle Bay, 8pm to 10pm, 8th Dec to 24th Dec.
111 Bradbury Road, Botany Downs. 8:00pm to 10:30pm [Assuming last year's times].
9 Cyclades Place, Shelly Park. 8:00pm to 11:00pm [Assuming last year's times].
98 Angelo Ave, Howick. On all the time.
29 Meadowlands Drive, Somerville. Unknown times.
181 Whitford Road, Shamrock Park. Unknown times.
24 Maghera Drive, East Tāmaki. Unknown times.
18 Keswick Close, Northpark. Unknown times.
** Kilkenny Drive, East Tāmaki. Unknown times.
** John Brooke Crescent, East Tamaki Heights. Unknown number of houses & times.
** Trust Place, Sunnyhills. 8:30pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Fern Place Beachlands. 8:00pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Paerata Rise, Paerata. Unknown times. Multiple houses.
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NO LIGHTS THIS YEAR (Moved or other reasons):
44 Archmillen Ave, Pakuranga Heights.
9 Harford Place, Pakuranga Heights.
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These were confirmed in 2024, but unknown for 2025:
2 Edingale Court, Flat Bush. 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
56 Sorrel Cresent, Bucklands Beach. 7:30pm to 9:00pm.
6 Rothwell Place, Sunnyhills. 8:00pm to 10:00pm.
4 Greenbrooke Drive, Flatbush. 830pm to 11:00pm.
75 Hutchinsons Road, Bucklands Beach. 9:00pm and overnight.
6A Kentville Place, Somerville. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
27 Amberwood Drive, Northpark. 7:00pm to 12:00am.
136 Kilkenny Drive, East Tamaki Heights. 8:00pm to 12:00am. [Is this included in 2025 for the street?]
86 Sandspit Road, Shelly Park. Unknown times.
81 Tiraumea Drive, Unknown times.
** Headcorn Place, Botany. 7:30pm to 11:00pm. Multiple houses.
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Merry Christmas East Auckland!
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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78.9% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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21.1% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
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