A large-scale fraud involving the MyACC app saw 1,044 people file over 10,000 fake travel reimbursement claims in November 2023, attempting to steal $1.5 million.
ACC stopped $919,717 before payment, but $652,857 had already been paid out before the scheme was detected.
Four key offenders — Jacqueline Whaanga, Ashleigh Mei Te Hira, Melody Haupokia-Kawerau, and Mohammed Zahed Hussain — appeared in Hamilton District Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes.
The group, responsible for about 25% of the fraud, recruited associates to lodge false claims using fake travel details, addresses, and reasons, exploiting recent rule changes that raised claim limits.
The scam prompted ACC to temporarily shut down the app, delaying legitimate claims.
Summary of sentences:
- Jacqueline Whaanga: Her sentencing was adjourned; she must reappear in Hamilton District Court on Monday. She remains on bail under a 24-hour curfew.
NZ Herald - Ashleagh Mei Te Hira: Six months’ home detention after being deemed the second-most culpable in the fraud.
- Melody Haupokia‑Kawerau: Five months’ home detention, along with a reparation order of $10,746.82.
- Mohammed Zahed Hussain (42): Four months’ home detention, and ordered to pay reparation of $9,234.47.
They should all be in jail sucking knobs.
More corporate state efficiency in action. Have to wonder about insiders providing and/or highlighting system weaknesses to outsiders eh.
Over $600k gone with a wet bus ticket pass to the special “indigenous” ones. Lessons learnt then?
Hang on how about the idiots that paid them out at ACC – ever heard of due diligence acc dumbasses!
Will tax payers get their money back…
Govt pushing Digital ID and they cant even secure a bloiody ACC app. Bloody clowns