"Appeal for potential fraud victims to contact Police"

Please attribute to Detective Simon Everson, Coromandel/Hauraki CIB:

Police is appealing for information regarding failed agreements for the purchase or sale of motor vehicles.

The appeal for information follows the arrest of a man from Thames, Waikato on Wednesday.

The man is currently facing a number of dishonesty charges and will appear before the Court again in March.

Police have received a number of complaints, dating from 2009, from people across the North Island alleging they have been left out of pocket by this man arising from agreements with him to buy or sell motor vehicles.

He particularly engages with truck and tractor dealers and persons wishing to sell vehicles for scrap metal. The individual has been known to operate under the business names Absoloot Metals and Zhou Holdings.

Police is aware of incidents occurring in Auckland in April 2009, Whangarei in December 2016, New Plymouth in December 2016, Hastings in January 2017, Hamilton in May 2017, Pukekohe in July 2017, and Turua in November 2017.

Police believe that not everyone who is out of pocket following dealings with this man has made a formal complaint.

If you may have been affected or have information that could assist Police with this investigation, please contact Detective Simon Everson, Coromandel/Hauraki CIB on 07 863 3711.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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