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An Opotiki woman facing 89 charges of fraud was remanded on bail until July 9 following a hearing in Whakatane District Court today.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen from Whakatane CIB said the decision to grant bail was not expected, "given the seriousness of this offending and that the investigation is gathering momentum and will involve many more charges".
He said a multi-agency investigation approach was being taken.
"The investigation has uncovered further offending and fraud of a government agency that is now being investigated separately."
Mr Standen said earlier that police believed the 46-year-old woman had obtained $427,000 by deception.
It was estimated another $200,000 was involved in what was described as "cruel and devious deception spanning two years of offending and large sums of cash".
Mr Standen said an elderly Opotiki woman appeared to be the main target of the fraud and with help from her family that woman was helping with the police investigation.
"The investigation is mainly concentrated within the Opotiki district and police would like to hear from any local people who have been approached in recent times by a woman wanting cash in large sums with promises of great returns," Mr Standen said.
He said early indications were that further charges would be laid and others would become involved either as victims or associated offenders.
- NZPA
