New Defendant Named in SFO Mortgage and Investment Fraud Case

Highlights:

• Christopher Peters Charged: Christopher Peters faces 23 counts of obtaining NZ$7.3 million in credit by deception and additional charges totaling NZ$2.9 million in attempted deception.
• Court Rulings: Name suppression for Peters was denied by the District Court in March 2024 and upheld by the High Court in May 2024.
• Broader Case Details: The SFO's case includes 37 charges related to mortgage fraud, with other defendants also implicated. One defendant has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing in August 2024.

Complex Fraud Case Expands

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has unveiled additional details in its high-profile mortgage and investment fraud case, with Christopher Peters now identified as a defendant. Peters faces a substantial number of charges, including 23 counts of obtaining credit by deception totaling NZ$7.3 million, six counts of attempting to obtain an additional $2.9 million by deception, and four counts of obtaining property by deception.

Legal Proceedings and Public Interest

The District Court at North Shore initially denied name suppression for Peters in March 2024. This decision was upheld by the High Court in Auckland in May 2024. SFO Director Karen Chang emphasized the importance of transparency in such serious cases, stating, "Ensuring the principle of open justice is applied is crucial for maintaining public trust and accountability."

Charges and Guilty Pleas

The case involves a total of 37 charges related to an alleged mortgage fraud scheme. Alongside Peters, Robert Peters and two other individuals, who are currently under name suppression, face charges for obtaining credit or property by deception. One unnamed defendant has already pleaded guilty to four charges related to providing misleading information during a 2018 loan application and is set for sentencing in August 2024.

Additionally, the case includes allegations of investment fraud, with Christopher Peters, Robert Peters, Gerard Peters, and Serene Peters accused of obtaining NZ$1.8 million by deception. Christopher and Robert Peters also face forgery charges as an alternative.

The SFO's investigation began in October 2020 following a police referral, and this recent development marks a significant progression in the ongoing legal proceedings.

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