Financial Crime World

Financial Crime Investigation Methods in New Zealand: A Leading Expert’s Insights

In the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), New Zealand’s financial markets underwent significant reforms to enhance transparency and accountability. As a result, financial institutions are now subject to stricter regulations, and fraud, trading conduct, corporate governance, bribery, sanctions, and financial crime compliance have become top priorities for boards.

Gary: A Renowned Expert in Financial Crime Investigation

Gary is a leading expert with extensive experience in representing firms facing enforcement action or regulatory investigations. His expertise extends to various areas of financial crime investigation, including:

Successfully Resisting Regulatory Investigations

  • Successfully resisting a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into a private investigator firm accused of corrupt access to information
  • Handling Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT) investigations and enforcement actions
    • Qian DuoDuo
    • Craigs Investment Partners
    • Tiger Brokers

Defending Against Regulatory Enforcement Actions

  • Defending Credit Contract and Consumer Finance Act investigations by the Commerce Commission into Non-Bank Deposit Takers or finance company lending practices
  • Representing remitter or fintech payments firms in bank “de-risking” disputes
    • KlickEx: Obtaining Court injunctions
    • E-Tranz: Assisting in the case

Advising on International Investigations and Enforcement Actions

  • Advised parties facing NZ aspects of major US Department of Justice (DOJ) or EU investigations arising from:
    • Panama Papers
    • 1MDB Malaysia
    • China’s Operation Foxhunt/Skynet cases

Gary’s Additional Expertise

Corporate Governance and Market Conduct Issues

  • Represented regulated businesses, including law firms and accounting firms, in complex suspicious activity internal enquiries and made Police SAR/ PTR reports

Anti-Corruption and Sanctions Matters

  • Advised parties involved in the Council donations investigations
  • Dealt with tender/procurement probity issues
  • Worked on cases involving cybercrime attacks and related privacy and data protection complexities

Gary’s Expertise in AML/CFT

  • Represented clients in de-risking or bank account closure cases
  • Developed premium bespoke Risk Assessment or Compliance Programme materials for clients
  • Experience with independent reviews and associated risk management advice

Authoritative Publications and Expert Recognition

  • Author of the leading textbook “AML/ CFT Workflows and Guidance for Lawyers” (Thomson Reuters/Westlaw, 2018)
  • Respected authority in the field of AML/CFT
  • Invited overseas expert witness to the Cullen Commission of Inquiry in Canada in 2021
  • Chair of the International Bar Association Anti-Money Laundering & Sanctions expert sub-committee

Professional Recognition

  • Recognized by Who’s Who Legal guide for international investigations, fraud/asset recovery, and Benchmark Litigation for regulatory investigations