Internal Affairs seized $162k in cash and almost $400k in scam equipment last year

A Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) crackdown resulted in a 62% drop in reports of SMS scams last year, when compared with 2023.

The 2024 Digital Messaging Transparency Report, published this week, detailed some of the actions the DIA took last year.

It received more than 103,000 reports of SMS scams, conducted six search warrants and seized almost $400,000 worth of scam equipment as well as $162,000 in cash, the report said.

One of the search warrants resulted in the arrest of a 19-year-old Auckland man and the seizure of a cell site simulator, used to trick mobile devices into connecting to a fraudulent network so scam text messages can be sent to the connected phones.

Scott Simpson, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister and lead anti-scams minister, said the report’s findings highlight the Government’s focus on keeping New Zealanders safer from scammers.

“Online financial scams cause significant harm to New Zealanders – reported losses have been nearly $200 million a year, but some estimate this to be as high as $2 billion,” Simpson said.

“Often scams affect the more vulnerable people in our community and our loved ones. We are taking action to change this. I intend to make announcements in due course on further work we intend to do to reduce scams across New Zealand.”

Brooke van Velden, Minister of Internal Affairs, said the department’s work is making an impact in reducing scams and holding perpetrators accountable.

“Scams cause serious financial and emotional harm, often preying on vulnerable people in our communities,” she said.

“The prevalence of scams also hurts the wider economy, as people become less comfortable with transacting online. Building back people’s trust by reducing scams is part of rebuilding the economy and reducing the cost of living.”