An illegal overstayer working in the kiwifruit industry in the Bay of Plenty alleges he was exploited as a ‘money mule’ in a tax evasion scam. The ‘money mule’ alleged he was kidnapped and assaulted when he threatened to cooperate with law enforcement. IRD and police are investigating the allegations made by the ‘money mule’ and Cabinet Minister Casey Costello says agencies must work together to stop organised crime. But when he threatened to blow the whistle on the tax evasion scam, the ‘money mule’ claimed he was kidnapped, assaulted and told to keep quiet or he would be killed. “This will require bold initiatives as well as better public awareness of the reality of exploitation in New Zealand.”The ‘money mule’, Singh, now faces an uncertain future.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 12, 2026 02:32 UTC