Investigation into Kitset Home Frauds Stalls, Victims Left in Limbo
A Retired Couple’s Three-Year Ordeal
It has been nearly three years since a retired couple, Mr. and Mrs. U, reported a kitset home fraud to the police. Despite an apology from authorities, the investigation remains stalled.
In November 2018, the couple ordered a $18,888 kitset home from a Tokoroa-based company. However, the company’s director, Mr. T, failed to deliver the product, providing multiple excuses for the delay. The couple eventually reported the matter to police in March 2019, but an officer assigned to the case deemed there was insufficient evidence to proceed with an investigation.
Police Reopen the Case
After receiving a complaint about the handling of the case, the Authority reopened the investigation and apologized for their initial mistakes. However, despite this, the case has yet to be resolved, with complainants’ statements only completed in June 2022.
More Victims Come Forward
Another couple, Mr. and Mrs. S, also reported a kitset home fraud to police in May 2019 after being left waiting for months for their $30,000 home to arrive. They too were provided with excuses by the company’s director, Mr. T, before discovering that the home had never been shipped due to non-payment.
A third case emerged in September 2019 when a couple based in Bay of Plenty reported an email phishing scheme, which also implicated Mr. T as the perpetrator. Despite all three cases naming Mr. T as the offender, Police failed to link them together and did not consider his pattern of offending or continuing criminal behavior.
Victims’ Frustration Grows
The Tokoroa Police have cited competing demands and delays in obtaining evidence from complainants as reasons for the stalled investigation. The victims are still waiting for justice, with many feeling frustrated and let down by the police’s handling of their cases.
Key Points:
- A retired couple reported a kitset home fraud to the police in March 2019, but the investigation was closed due to insufficient evidence.
- After an apology from authorities, the case was reopened, but it has yet to be resolved.
- Two other couples have also reported similar kitset home frauds, all implicating Mr. T as the perpetrator.
- Despite linking all three cases to Mr. T, Police failed to consider his pattern of offending or continuing criminal behavior.
- The victims are still waiting for justice, feeling frustrated and let down by the police’s handling of their cases.