Serene Peters Pleads Not Guilty to Multi-Million-Dollar Mortgage Fraud Scheme
A woman accused of participating in a multi-million-dollar mortgage fraud scheme has pleaded not guilty. Serene Peters, who was arrested at the border in August after nearly three years overseas, is charged with obtaining by deception related to an $1.8 million investment fraud.
The Serious Fraud Office alleges that Peters and her sons, as well as an associate, obtained credit and properties through false claims on home loan applications and conveyancing solicitors, often supported by fake documents. In April 2024, the SFO said the group had secured over $8.6 million in lending and attempted to obtain a further $3 million.
Peters left New Zealand in September 2023 and was arrested on her return on August 6. Two of her sons have already pleaded guilty to charges for their roles in the scheme, while a third has also been charged. Gerard Peters faces the most charges, according to the New Zealand Herald.