New Zealand Scams: Online, Investment & Impersonation Fraud Guide
Common scams in New Zealand and how to report to CERT NZ, Netsafe, and your bank.
Emergency number: 111 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
New Zealand faces a wide range of scams including investment fraud, online shopping non-delivery, government impersonation, and romance scams. CERT NZ (now part of the National Cyber Security Centre) handles cybersecurity incident reports, while Netsafe is the independent online safety organisation that handles general online scam and harmful content reports. For urgent situations involving financial loss, contacting your bank immediately is the most important first step. The NZ Police non-emergency line (105) and online reporting portal are available for criminal matters.
Common scams
- Investment and crypto scams
- Online shopping non-delivery and marketplace fraud
- Government impersonation (IRD, ACC, NZ Post)
- Romance and relationship scams
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging transport and tour operators
- Fake accommodation listings
Online shopping scams
- Phishing and smishing impersonating NZ Post, banks, or IRD
- Fake online retail sites
- Social media marketplace scams
Job scams
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake job offers requiring upfront fees
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance leading to cryptocurrency investment grooming
Investment scams
- Fake trading platforms and managed investment schemes
- Crypto 'AI bot' and pig-butchering scams
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if money was sent
- Report cybersecurity incidents to CERT NZ at cert.govt.nz
- Report online harm and scam content to Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz
- Report crime to NZ Police on 105 or at police.govt.nz
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately using the number on your card or their official website. The IRD and other NZ government agencies will not demand payment by gift card, crypto, or urgent bank transfer. Check investment firms on the FMA register before engaging.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
Where do I report a scam in New Zealand?
Report cybersecurity incidents to CERT NZ (cert.govt.nz), general online harm to Netsafe (netsafe.org.nz), and crime to NZ Police on 105. Always contact your bank first if money has been sent.
How do I check if an investment is legitimate in New Zealand?
Check the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) register at fma.govt.nz and look for FMA warnings before investing. Registered firms must hold a licence — an unlicensed firm is a major red flag.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance