Power-supply scam takes in $180,000

A man who used a number of aliases has been arrested after he allegedly duped more than a dozen businesses - including Genesis Energy - out of $180,000 in a power-supply scam.

The man, who is now before the courts on 17 charges of deception, allegedly approached homes and businesses in Auckland saying he was a power broker from a company called Jupiters Energy.

While the company had a website and 0800 number, police say it was completely fictitious. At least 16 people signed up with it after the man claimed his company bought bulk power which could be sold to them at a cheap rate.

Once they were signed up to Jupiters, police say, the man would ring companies such as Genesis, saying he had just taken over the address and would like to open an account to have power supplied there.

It is alleged the accounts were opened in many false names, one of which was David Bane. Power was supplied to the addresses but the bills were sent to false names and one of several addresses the man used.

Detective Constable Chris Goldsmith said the man collected money from the businesses each month and put it into his own accounts.

He never paid the power companies, instead ringing them regularly to ask for an extension or saying he would sort it out.

When the power company eventually took action, debt collectors were left chasing a false name and address.

At the same time, the man allegedly repeated the process, ringing up and saying he had just taken that business over and giving another false invoice name in order to continue power supply to the address.

Over a year, some addresses went through at least six new account name changes.

Mr Goldsmith said the man was charged in relation to taking $108,000 from 16 business owners who believed he was supplying them with cheap power.

He had also been charged with duping Genesis Energy out of $70,000 worth of business. Police are still speaking to other power companies to see if they are also owed money.

Officers would like to hear from anyone, including householders, who has been approached about cheap power being provided by Jupiters Energy. Phone (09) 839-0638.