The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs issued a scam alert warning that emails impersonating its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Group are seeking payments and personal or account information. The messages commonly claim recipients’ funds have been frozen, that a payment to the Department is required, or that urgent action is needed to meet law enforcement requirements or avoid purported Department fines, but the Department emphasised these are scams and that it does not request payment or ask individuals to transfer funds. The Department warned that scammers may copy government branding, logos and email signatures, and reference AML/CFT requirements to pressure recipients into acting quickly. Indicators include sender addresses that do not end with @dia.govt.nz, requests for identification or “verification fees”, instructions to pay by cryptocurrency or move money to unfamiliar accounts, and urgent statements about frozen funds or penalties. Recipients are advised not to reply, click links or open attachments, and to report phishing and suspected fraud via New Zealand’s established scam-reporting channels, including CERT NZ and Police where relevant.
Department of Internal Affairs 2026-03-03
New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs warns of scam emails impersonating its AML/CFT Group
The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs issued a scam alert regarding emails impersonating its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Group, falsely claiming funds are frozen or payments are required. The Department emphasized these are scams and does not request payments or transfers. Recipients are advised to report phishing and suspected fraud through established channels like CERT NZ and the Police.