Indian-Origin Couple Defrauds $2 Million in New Zealand, Flees to Chennai, Aiming to Retire at 35
An Indian-origin couple based in New Zealand has been found guilty of orchestrating a $2 million fraud against the government agency Oranga Tamariki. Neha Sharma and Amandeep Sharma, who carried out the scam over a two-year period, fled to Chennai in a bid to retire at the age of 35 after their scheme was uncovered.
Secret Marriage and Procurement Fraud
Neha Sharma, who worked as a property and facilities manager at Oranga Tamariki, failed to disclose that she was married to Amandeep Sharma, the owner of Divine Connection—a construction company. Using her role, Neha steered government contracts towards her husband’s firm, creating an undisclosed conflict of interest.
The fraudulent arrangement was initially flagged due to paperwork irregularities, but the couple managed to continue their operation undetected for two years, amassing a fortune in the process.
Escape to Chennai and Financial Transfers
In March 2023, shortly after being raided by New Zealand’s Serious Fraud Office, the Sharmas resigned and booked business class one-way tickets to Chennai. They reportedly left the country with 80 kilograms of luggage and had earlier transferred nearly $800,000 to Indian bank accounts in an attempt to safeguard their ill-gotten gains.
Their intention, as stated in court, was to retire early and enjoy a luxurious lifestyle in India, having left behind a well-calculated financial trail.
Conviction and Sentencing
Neha Sharma has been sentenced to three years in prison by the High Court in Christchurch. In her defense, she cited “baby brain”—a colloquial term referencing memory and cognitive challenges during and after pregnancy—though the court found little remorse in her testimony.
Her husband, Amandeep Sharma, has pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced in June.
Authorities Investigate Further Recovery
New Zealand authorities are now working with international partners to recover the funds and investigate any assets the couple may have secured in India. The case has raised questions about internal controls in government procurement processes and the need for stricter vetting in public sector partnerships.
