Identity changes but not the face

A wealthy new immigrant under investigation for possible identity fraud changed his name days after controversially being awarded citizenship and has been granted a passport in his new name.

Passports he held in two other names were earlier seized by investigators.

Former Labour minister Shane Jones overruled advice from officials that the applicant did not meet good character requirements and granted Yang Liu citizenship last August.

Eleven days later Mr Liu changed his name to William Yan.

The Weekend Herald understands investigators learned of the name change as a result of an alert Department of Internal Affairs official.

As a citizen Mr Liu was entitled to change his name and obtain a new passport. But among the reasons that officials recommended he be denied citizenship was that they were unsure of his true identity as he had two names (Yang Liu and Yong Ming Yan), two passports and two birthdates.

He was known as Bill Liu in New Zealand, including by former MP Dover Samuels, who supported his citizenship application.

Mr Liu's name change came 3 months after Immigration Service investigators seized under search warrant passports he then held. No charges have been laid against Mr Liu in New Zealand. Lawyers acting for him had no comment this week.

In response to the Weekend Herald's request for an update, police national headquarters said "police are not in a position to comment" and an Immigration Service spokesman said the investigation was "ongoing".

But the Weekend Herald has learned the investigation is well advanced and includes co-operation between New Zealand and China, where Mr Liu has been charged with large-scale fraud.

The Chinese also allege that his real name is Yong Ming Yan and that he stole the identity of a Yang Liu by falsely registering his birth in 1999 before fleeing China a year later.

Australian authorities sent the Chinese Government in 2006 A$3.37 million seized from bank accounts that Mr Liu controlled.

The money was frozen because authorities suspected him of opening and operating bank accounts using a false name, Yang Liu. He agreed to forfeit the money without admitting liability.

MAN OF MANY NAMES

Born: Yong Ming Yan
Known as: Bill Liu
Citizenship as: Yang Liu
Changed to: William Yan