Nearly $200 million was lost by New Zealanders to scams over the past year, according to 11 of the country’s largest financial institutions.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment released the information at the start of Fraud Awareness Week as it warns consumers not to fall victim to investment scams.
MBIE spokesman for Fraud Awareness Week, Ian Caplin, said scammers were targeting everyone throughout New Zealand, but especially those with savings or investments who were looking to earn a little bit more from their money.
“It’s important to remember real investments don’t just come out of the blue. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.