Guilty Pleas to SFO Mortgage Fraud Charges

Three defendants in a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) prosecution have today pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court to Crimes Act charges for their roles in a complex series of mortgage frauds.

Mehrdad Ghorbani, Mehran Ghorbani and Mehrzad Ghorbani are three of seven individuals charged in May in relation to a $9.2 million prosecution alleging that a series of false documents or information was supplied to banks by the group.

The three men are related to another defendant who it is alleged conducted a series of property sales and purchases between July 2007 and December 2010 which deceived various banks into approving mortgage applications.

SFO Acting Chief Executive, Simon McArley said, “Economic growth cannot be sustained in a market where there is financial crime. Offending of this type increases the cost of credit for all New Zealanders. SFO needs to maintain a strong response in order to support New Zealand’s economic aspirations.” 

The next appearance for all seven defendants is scheduled for 24 September.

The remaining four defendants Eli Devoy, Nasrin Kardani, Hassan Salarpour and Javad Toraby have entered not guilty pleas to all charges and will be committed for trial.

ENDS

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