Christchurch property dealer arrested in Canada

A New Zealander involved in millions of dollars worth of business deals in Canada has been arrested.

John Gray, from Christchurch, was arrested in British Columbia this week after having entered into large business deals under the pretence he was a billionaire, The Press reported today.

An Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada spokeswoman said an admissibility hearing would be held in Vancouver today.

Gray, who has debts in the South Island, could be issued with a departure or exclusion order requiring him to leave Canada.

He was described by a High Court judge in New Zealand last year as "unscrupulous" and an "awful man", before leaving Christchurch.

He had signed up to buy millions of dollars worth of property in Canterbury, but none of the deals was settled.

Gray, who is thought to be penniless, was deported from the United States last year over banking irregularities.

A Calgary real estate company principal John Wade estimated deals Gray had done through him and other real estate companies in Calgary and Edmonton came to about $130 million.

- NZPA