$212k wage subsidy fraud leads to home detention

Jayden Kenneth Low, 36, appeared for sentencing in the Auckland District Court on 13 October 2023 having earlier admitted two representative charges of dishonestly using a document.

The prosecution is part of a substantial work programme at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to provide assurance that those who received wage subsidy payments were entitled to them. This ongoing work has seen 39 people brought before the courts so far.

Between 23 March and 6 August 2020, Low dishonestly submitted 31 wage subsidy applications. Seven of these were successful and a total of $49,207.20 was paid into his bank account.

The 24 unsuccessful applications Low submitted were for another $162,962.40.

Subsequent checks by MSD with Inland Revenue confirmed that Low was not entitled to any of the wage subsidy funds he applied for.

Judge Simon Lance acknowledged the breach of trust Low committed, saying he “saw an opportunity to make some easy money and took it”.

He sentenced Low to 10 months’ home detention and ordered him to pay $25,000 reparation.