Romance Scams Targeting New Zealanders
New Zealanders are disproportionately targeted by romance and investment hybrid scams — particularly pig butchering — given the country's high internet usage, affluent demographics, and relatively small, trusting online communities.
Part of: Fake Online Partners
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
New Zealand's Consumer Protection agency and Netsafe receive growing numbers of romance scam reports each year. The country's small population and high social trust make New Zealanders particularly vulnerable to scammers who invest heavily in personalised relationship-building before introducing a financial ask.
Pig butchering — where a romance scam converts into a fake investment opportunity — is increasingly common. Victims often do not report because of shame, and those who do often discover the perpetrators are based in Southeast Asian scam compounds far beyond the reach of New Zealand law enforcement.
How this scam works on New Zealand
Victims meet the scammer on Facebook, Instagram, or Bumble. The scammer's profile shows a successful professional lifestyle, often claiming to be an engineer, entrepreneur, or surgeon based overseas. Communication moves quickly to WhatsApp where the relationship deepens over weeks.
Investment conversations arise: the scammer mentions trading profits, shares tutorials, and invites the victim to invest alongside them on a recommended platform. Small test withdrawals work, encouraging larger deposits. Ultimately, withdrawal of the full balance is blocked by fabricated compliance fees or tax requirements.
Some New Zealand victims take out KiwiSaver early-withdrawal hardship claims or refinance property to fund deposits into these platforms. The financial and emotional damage is severe.
Common red flags
- Online partner who pivots quickly to discussing investment or trading opportunities
- Investment platform that cannot be verified with the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) New Zealand
- Profile with high-end lifestyle images whose reverse search matches stock images or other accounts
- KiwiSaver or property equity withdrawal being encouraged to fund investment
- Withdrawal blocked by 'FMA compliance fees' or 'tax clearance' requirements
How to protect yourself
- Verify any investment platform with the FMA at fma.govt.nz before depositing
- Never use KiwiSaver, home equity, or borrowed funds for investment on a platform recommended by an online contact
- Run a reverse image search on your contact's photos and search their name plus 'scam'
- Report suspicious platforms to the FMA before engaging
- Contact Netsafe for confidential advice at netsafe.org.nz or 0508 638 723
How to report it
- Report to the FMA at fma.govt.nz or call 0800 434 566
- Report to Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz
- File a police report with NZ Police and contact your bank immediately if funds were sent
Frequently asked questions
Why are pig butchering / romance hybrid scams especially common in New Zealand?
New Zealand's high internet usage, relatively affluent population, and smaller, close-knit online communities can make residents both easy to reach and, in some cases, quicker to extend trust to an online connection. Scammers specifically target this profile because a smaller pool of potential victims can still yield significant amounts per person. This makes verifying any online relationship's authenticity especially important before money changes hands.
Can New Zealanders recover money sent to an overseas romance scammer?
Recovery is difficult given the cross-border and often crypto-based nature of these scams, but it may depend on the payment method and timing — contact your bank immediately if a transfer was involved. Report the case to New Zealand Police and to Netsafe, which handles online scam reports. Recovery isn't guaranteed, but prompt reporting improves your chances and supports wider investigations.
What should I do if a partner I met online asks me to invest through their platform?
Treat this as a serious warning sign — a romantic connection that shifts into investment advice, particularly toward a crypto trading platform you can't independently verify, is the defining pattern of a pig butchering scam. Do not send money or download any app they recommend, and verify their identity independently first. If you've already engaged, stop before sending further funds and report the profile to the platform where you met.
Can I withdraw KiwiSaver funds early if a romance scammer told me to?
KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals require genuine financial hardship. Accessing funds because an online contact advised it is not a valid reason, and doing so under false hardship grounds could create legal issues. Contact the FMA and your KiwiSaver provider immediately if you have been advised by an online contact to withdraw.