A Vatican official already under investigation in a purported money-laundering plot involving the Vatican bank was arrested yesterday in a separate operation.

More than half a decade after authorities began probing the failed Five Star Group, founder Neill Williams has pleaded guilty to the last of the charges he faced.

The last men standing from Dominion Finance have now pleaded guilty but could still face further court action if authorities continue with their civil case against the firm's directors and seek penalties of up to $500,000 from each of them.

Dominion Finance and North South Finance directors Rick Bettle and Vance Arkinstall have pleaded guilty to five Securities Act charges in the High Court.

The elderly accountant - who has been declared bankrupt twice since age 60 - was sentenced to three years, seven months in jail earlier this year.

An accounts clerk took advantage of her boss' wife's cancer when she stole more than $370,000 and spent it all on holidays in Australia, a court has been told.

Rick Bettle has resigned from the board of Diligent Board Member Services, as the trial for his role at failed lender Dominion Finance looms.

Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper says he's shattered by news the Taupo District Council is being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office.

A Chinese exporter made secret payments to managers of a New Zealand dairy-processing company that ordered products from the foreign firm, according to court documents.

Convicted $17 million fraudster Michael Swann was told at a parole hearing yesterday "there was light at the end of the tunnel".

David Ross' out-of-pocket investors expressed relief when the alleged Ponzi-schemer was arrested and charged yesterday, but he was bailed back to his luxury home.

The former Lombard directors, including Sir Douglas Graham, are heading to the Supreme Court over their convictions for making false statements in a prospectus.

An email has been doing the rounds with a PDF claiming to be from the United States Lottery Board, in conjunction with President Barack Obama's campaign team, telling people they have won US$920,000.

Cyber fraudsters sent a fake death certificate to try to dupe a lovestruck Kiwi woman into sending money overseas

The former director and owner of an Auckland media agency is facing 23 deception and dishonesty charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office.

The Department of Internal Affairs has only had one new email scam reported this week, from "Peter Stevenson".

Eric Watson and Mark Hotchin are seeking $7 million plus costs from a man who criticised them after the collapse of Hanover Finance.

The former wife of a dead conman has been convicted of forging a fake dog lease in an attempt to extort $15,000 from a voluntary animal shelter.

A Remuera businesswoman allegedly headed a $9.2 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved her siblings, friends and eleven Auckland properties.

Two women and five men have been charged this morning over an alleged mortgage fraud scheme involving over $9 million.

The director of an online car dealing company which placed thousands of bids on its own auctions didn't know the behaviour was illegal, his lawyer says.

Convicted fraudster Michael Swann's bid for parole has been delayed.