Ex-Police Officer and Partner Charged with Cook Islands Financial Fraud Case Involving Stolen $118,000 MSD Funds

Two individuals, Vincent Ahiao, a former police officer, and his partner Sharon Samuel, have been charged with money laundering in the Cook Islands following the alleged theft of $118,000 from the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in January 2017.

Discovery of Alleged Fraud

Authorities were alerted to the fraudulent activity when the ANZ Bank notified the Cook Islands Financial Intelligence Unit about a suspicious tax deduction order. The order referred to the “Deceased Estate of Marie Gideon”, which had been used to receive NZ pension payments from the MSD.

Victim’s Background

Marie Gideon, the deceased individual, had been receiving NZ pension payments from the MSD prior to her death on January 12, 2011. The usual process for deceased individuals involves signing a declaration and returning it to MSD to confirm contact details and entitlement to receive pension payments. Nevertheless, Ahiao, as Gideon’s nephew and executor of her estate, managed to gain control of her ANZ account and mailbox shortly after her death.

Suspicious Activity

Despite not requesting MSD to continue the pension payments after Gideon’s death, Ahiao and Samuel accessed the account and regained control over the pension payments. In June 2011, Samuel forged Gideon’s signature on a declaration form and mailed it to MSD, resulting in the resumption of pension payments into Gideon’s Cook Islands account.

Between June 2011 and December 2016, over $118,000 was paid into the account, and the couple made regular cash withdrawals.

Interviews with Defendants

During interviews in 2017 and 2021, Ahiao denied having any knowledge of the forged declarations. However, he will be facing charges of money laundering. Samuel, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to obtaining by deception in January 2022.

Current Status of Case

Both defendants are currently in custody awaiting sentencing, which will likely occur in May 2022. The case was previously scheduled for a jury trial in November 2021 but was delayed due to changes in counsel and a late plea.

Important Details

• Former police officer, Vincent Ahiao, and his partner, Sharon Samuel, charged with money laundering in the Cook Islands.
• Allegedly stole $118,000 of New Zealand Ministry of Social Development (MSD) funds.
• Authorities alerted to fraud in January 2017 when ANZ Bank reported suspicious tax deduction order.
• Marie Gideon’s nephew, Vincent Ahiao, gained control over her ANZ account and mailbox after her death.
• Samuel forged Gideon’s signature on declaration form, leading to pension payments.
• Over $118,000 paid into Gideon’s Cook Islands account between 2011 and 2016, with regular cash withdrawals.
• Ahiao and Samuel face sentencing in May 2022.