NZ police arrest female romance scammer who stole staggering sum over 18 years

A Dunedin man has allegedly been strung along in a romance scam for almost two decades - and it’s cost him more than $500,000.

Now, NZ Police say they’ve arrested the 44-year-old Ellerslie woman behind it, charging her with obtaining by deception.

According to an update from NZ Police, Dunedin and Auckland Police joined forces this week, executing a search warrant at an Auckland property with help from the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit.

“Police will allege in court that this scam has run for a period of 18 years, beginning online in 2006,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ali Ramsay, from the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit, says.

“The offender in this case has allegedly obtained $525,537 through this elaborate scam.”

Over half a million dollars spanning over nearly two decades - that’s roughly averaging at $29,000 a year!

The woman is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on 17 February 2026.

Ramsay adds that getting the alleged offender before the courts is a positive outcome for the victims.

“Our colleagues in Dunedin have been investigating this case, and we’re glad to have assisted in this result,” she says.

Romance scams are usually run by “offshore offenders”, but in this case, prosecution is a lot less complicated, which is significant for the victim of this offence.

At the very heart of this are victims whose good nature is taken advantage of, causing emotional and financial stress.

Police can’t say much more now that the matter is before the court, but they’re reminding Kiwis to be extremely cautious when meeting new people online or through dating apps.

It’s a brutal but crucial reminder that not everyone behind a screen is who they say they are.