Indian-origin couple defrauds $2 million in New Zealand through secret marriage, flees to Chennai, wanted to retire at 35

Neha Sharma and her husband Amandeep Sharma have pleaded guilty to multiple fraud charges in New Zealand after they conned a New Zealand government agency out of more than $2 million. When their secret arrangement came in the public, they booked one-way tickets on Singapore Airlines to Chennai, in business class, the New Zealand Herald reported.

How did the Indian-origin couple defraud the government agency?

Neha Sharma was a manager at Oranga Tamariki, the ministry of children, in New Zealand. Her colleagues did not know that she was married to Amandeep Sharma, the director of Divine Connection which was silently added to the ministry's list of contractors -- in a grave conflict of interest.

“We have a robust plan in place ... and I will support you for becoming an entrepreneur. Celebrate retiring below 35! Not many get this opportunity," Neha messaged her husband when concerns were raised in the office about this particular contractor -- as the paperwork had some gaps.

The duo continued to dupe the agency for two years with Neha using her access to pass on favors to her husband's company. The police recovered their chats they exchanged whenever there was any suspicion in the agency.

In March 2023, the Serious Fraud Office raided the couple's property and it was found out that they obtained more than $2 million from Oranga Tamariki. At that time, they both resigned from their respective positions.

Within two weeks after the raid on their properties, the couple booked two one-way tickets to Chennai. They boarded the flight with 80 kg of luggage between them. Before leaving, they tried to liquidate their properties and cars and transferred under $800,000 in cash from their bank accounts in New Zealand to accounts held in India.

Neha shows no remorse, blames 'baby brain'

Neha Sharma was jailed in the High Court at Christchurch earlier this month for three years. She blamed the scam on baby brain -- a state of impaired memory supposedly experience during pregnancy or after giving birth. There was no evidence of remorse or offer of reparation in her, the report said. The couple’s older child had been taken back to India with Amandeep‘s sister. Amandeep pleaded guilty last week and is awaiting sentence which will take place in June.