Husband and wife admit $2 million fraud against Oranga Tamariki in SFO case

Former Oranga Tamariki Property and Facilities Manager, Neha Sharma (nee Chandrasekaran), has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for her offending. Mrs Sharma’s husband, Amandeep Sharma, has now also admitted his role in the offending and a sentencing hearing has been set down for 19 June. 

Mr and Mrs Sharma pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining by deception for fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million from Oranga Tamariki. The money was obtained through Mr Sharma’s company without Oranga Tamariki knowing.  

The husband and wife team also pleaded guilty to money laundering for transferring just under $800,000 overseas once the offending was discovered, then immediately leaving New Zealand. 

Mrs Sharma also pleaded guilty to one representative charge of using a forged document. Mrs Sharma used forged references to gain employment at Oranga Tamariki, and again to gain employment at Waka Kotahi directly after leaving Oranga Tamariki. 

SFO Director, Karen Chang says, "These convictions mark an important milestone in the SFO’s prosecution of this case, which reinforces the serious consequences of abusing a position of trust for personal gain, especially when public funds are involved.” 

“Offending of this kind erodes public confidence and harms the integrity of New Zealand’s public institutions and our reputation as a safe place to invest. It’s critical we take action to disrupt and deter such behaviour. This case also highlights the requirement for rigorous vetting of public servants especially as they move between agencies.”

The SFO filed charges against Neha Sharma and her husband Amandeep Sharma in June 2023. The SFO alleged at the time that Mrs Sharma provided false references to secure her role at Oranga Tamariki, where she managed aspects of properties in the Canterbury region, including maintenance, upkeep, and modifications.

Once in the role, Mrs Sharma set up her husband’s company, Divine Connection, as a contractor without declaring a conflict of interest. She then ensured work was assigned to his company over other approved suppliers. In total, Oranga Tamariki paid Divine Connection just over $2 million.

Following her resignation from Oranga Tamariki, Mrs Sharma applied for a job at Waka Kotahi. Mrs Sharma again provided a false reference to secure her new role.

The money laundering charges relate to almost $800,000 transferred to overseas bank accounts in India. The Police Asset Recovery Unit, in close co-operation with colleagues in India, has located and restrained these funds. Proceedings are underway to return them to New Zealand.

The High Court has issued a restraining order over the couple’s properties in New Zealand upon application by the Commissioner of Police, pursuant to the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009.

“We would like to acknowledge the Police and Indian authorities for their swift action and assistance in securing the defendant’s assets, as well as the co-operation of Oranga Tamariki and Waka Kotahi in the investigation,” says Ms Chang. 

More information

• SFO files charges against former Oranga Tamariki employee over $2 million fraud(external link) (14 June 2023)

About the SFO 
The SFO is responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious or complex fraud, including bribery, and corruption in New Zealand. With a focus on maintaining integrity and trust in the financial system, the SFO has developed strategic areas of focus to ensure it has the greatest impact with the cases it takes in. SFO Strategic Areas of Focus(external link)