Seven more potential victims linked to a pair charged with defrauding more than $1 million over the past two years for cancer treatment that was allegedly never needed have been identified, police say.
A search warrant was executed at an address in Wānaka on Thursday following an investigation into the pair, who had recently moved from the West Coast.
“They had been living the high life with rented properties and high end European cars”, Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye said.
“Their lavish lifestyle has been funded with money allegedly defrauded from family, friends and associates, for cancer treatment that inquiries show was never required and never obtained.”
Dye said four more potential victims had come forward following media coverage, while police inquiries identified another three potential victims.
“This is on top of the three people who had already made complaints to police, and resulted in the arrests of the pair.”
Police also announced that a search warrant conducted on a storage unit had located a .22 rifle, restricted weapons, and more than 2000 rounds of ammunition.
“Further inquiries in relation to the warrant are ongoing and charges are likely to be filed in coming weeks,” Dye said.
He thanked those who had contacted police, saying staff were in the process of contacting all identified victims to obtain statements in relation to any offending.
Existing matters against the couple had been filed at court in April 2024 and related to offending against two other victims, which totalled $79,000.
A 28-year-old man and 38-year-old woman would appear in the Queenstown District Court, where police would oppose bail.
