Two arrested after long-running fraud inquiry

Waikato police have arrested two men as a result of a long-running fraud inquiry, and say more arrests will follow.

Wednesday, May 26th 2004, 7:26AM

by The Landlord

Operation Allsorts was launched in late 2002, and early on in the inquiry police arrested Leslie Orchard, who pleaded guilty to 686 fraud-related charges.

Two Hamilton men aged 46 and 43 have been arrested and were to appear in Hamilton District Court today facing more than 100 charges between them, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead said in a statement.

"Operation Allsorts has focused on a group of people that the police allege are an organised criminal enterprise involved in fraudulent activities to obtain loans from financial institutions," Mr Whitehead said.

"It is alleged that the money from the loans has been 'laundered' in a number of ways, leaving either the financial institutions or innocent property owners with substantial losses."

Read More - Opens in a new windowWaikato police believe the naming of two men involved in an alleged property scam may prompt other complainants to come forward.

Miles McKelvy and Arden Fatu yesterday appeared in the Hamilton District Court on fraud charges including forging a document and money laundering.

A third man is likely to appear in court today on a variety of charges.

Waikato spokeswoman Kris McGehan says police are hoping that more of McKelvy and Fatu's alleged victims may come forward as a result of publicity.

She says police know the names of the men have been discussed in the community, and they are hoping some people come forward and say they have had dealings with them.

Another man, Leslie Orchard, was arrested and charged last year with fraud.

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