Top names targeted in alleged fraud

Stacey Jones is said to be one of Scott Mackenzie's targets. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Three top sportsmen, two multi-millionaires and a major bank are among the victims in an alleged $5.7 million fraud.

Warriors playmaker Stacey Jones, former teammates Monty Betham and Awen Guttenbeil and companies owned by Hanover founders and Rich Listers Eric Watson and Mark Hotchin are among those allegedly targeted by Scott Alwyn Mackenzie.

Mackenzie, 29, appeared before Auckland District Court on Friday facing 10 charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office.

They include obtaining a $3.5m mortgage from the BNZ bank using false or forged documents and claiming $509,450 in GST from the Inland Revenue Department using false invoices.

Mackenzie is also accused of sending false invoices totalling more than $1.62m to five companies, most of which have a link to Watson, Hotchin, or both.

Some of the alleged frauds date back to 2006.

The Herald on Sunday understands Mackenzie had worked for one of Watson and Hotchin's property companies and during that time allegedly used false invoices to steal money. Hotchin confirmed that he, Watson and the BNZ contacted the SFO with their concerns but declined to comment further because he may be called as a witness.

Mackenzie entered no plea. He was bailed to a Remuera address until June 26 and ordered to surrender his passport.

When the Herald on Sunday visited his bail address the residents said he hadn't lived there for several months.

Another alleged victim is 520 Queen St Holdings Ltd, to which Mackenzie allegedly sent $61,481 worth of false invoices between May and August 2008.

One of the shareholders is AMS Holdings Ltd, a company jointly owned by Jones, Betham and Guttenbeil.

Betham was shocked by news of the allegations when told by the Herald on Sunday.

He invested in 520 Queen St Holdings "a while back" and was not involved in the day-to-day running of the company.