NEW ZEALAND- Neha Sharma and Amandeep Sharma, an Indian origin couple, defrauded New Zealand’s Oranga Tamariki of over NZ$2 million through a sophisticated scheme involving forged documents and undisclosed conflicts of interest.
After their fraud was uncovered, they fled to Chennai (MAA) on a business class flight operated by Singapore Airlines (SQ).
The couple’s elaborate deception, their manipulation of government systems, the legal consequences, and their attempt to evade justice by fleeing New Zealand.
Reported by New Zealand Herald, the case highlights vulnerabilities in public sector oversight and the measures taken to prevent future fraud.
Photo: By Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95468944Indian Couple Flew on Singapore’s Business Flight
Neha Sharma, 36, worked as a property and facilities manager at Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand’s child welfare agency. In this role, she controlled the allocation of maintenance contracts across Canterbury.
Despite Divine Connection Ltd, owned by her husband, Amandeep Sharma, not being on the approved contractor list, Neha funneled NZ$2.1 million worth of work to the company between 2021 and 2022.
She used forged documents, fake references, and manipulated the agency’s internal systems to approve inflated or false invoices. Many of the payments covered personal expenses, including household electronics.
To maintain the deception, Neha misrepresented Amandeep as an independent contractor and enlisted a friend in Oranga Tamariki’s call center to steer contracts toward Divine Connection.
By late 2022, internal audits flagged irregularities in the invoices and job assignments. When it was revealed that Divine Connection was registered to Neha’s home address, she resigned abruptly, claiming unfair targeting.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) launched an investigation, raiding the couple’s Christchurch property in March 2023, uncovering three properties, three vehicles, and NZ$800,000 in liquid assets.
Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER Business Class | Photo: Matt@CKG Evasion Attempts and Flights to Chennai
Following the SFO raid, the Sharmas attempted to cover their tracks by altering Divine Connection’s records, replacing Amandeep’s name with an unaware acquaintance.
They transferred nearly NZ$800,000 to Indian bank accounts and, weeks later, fled New Zealand on a one-way business class flight to Chennai (MAA) via Singapore (SIN) with Singapore Airlines (SQ), carrying 80 kilograms of luggage.
The Police Asset Recovery Unit, with assistance from Indian authorities, restrained these funds, and proceedings are underway to return them to New Zealand.
The High Court also issued a restraining order on the couple’s New Zealand properties under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009.
Despite being under investigation, Neha briefly secured a job at Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) using the same forged references, with Amandeep posing as a referee.
This audacious move underscored the couple’s persistent deceit, though an internal audit at Waka Kotahi found no financial misconduct during her short tenure.
Photo: Kwok Ho Eddie Wong | FlickrLegal Proceedings and Sentencing
Neha Sharma pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including deception, forgery, and money laundering.
She was sentenced to three years in prison and is currently held in the mothers’ and babies’ unit. Amandeep Sharma has also admitted guilt and will be sentenced in June.
Oranga Tamariki CEO Andrew Bridgman labeled it a “serious breach of public trust” and confirmed that the agency has introduced stronger internal controls since the incident.
| Neha Sharma | Obtaining by deception, money laundering, using forged documents | Pleaded guilty | 3 years imprisonment |
| Amandeep Sharma | Obtaining by deception, money laundering | Pleaded guilty | Sentencing on June 19, 2025 |
Photo: Singapore AirlinesImpact on Public Trust
The case exposed vulnerabilities in New Zealand’s public sector, particularly in vetting processes and conflict of interest disclosures.
SFO Director Karen Chang highlighted that such offenses erode public confidence and harm New Zealand’s reputation as a safe investment destination.
The incident prompted calls for rigorous vetting of public servants, especially those transitioning between agencies, to safeguard government funds and institutional integrity.
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