A man is facing 36 charges over alleged identity theft and fraud. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi
A man police describe as a prolific fraudster, who allegedly racked up more than $100,000 in trade debt under someone else's identity, has appeared in court today.
The man was arrested in an Auckland CBD apartment yesterday by fraud detectives and has been remanded in custody.
Auckland City's Financial Crime Unit said they believed the alleged offending stretched back to December last year.
Detective senior sergeant Craig Bolton said police believed the man used a fake driver's licence to obtain more than $110,000 in product from several well-known electronic and hardware retailers.
The charges cover $20,000 that was allegedly used to order equipment used to run a "clandestine" lab.
The Financial Crime Unit was alerted to the alleged offending by colleagues in Kumeū and Bolton said the tip-off prompted the unit's investigation.
The Auckland man faces 36 fraud charges and will reappear at the Auckland District Court on Friday.
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