Auckland Man Sentenced for $49,000 Wage Subsidy Fraud

Myo Min Maung pleaded guilty to two representative charges of dishonestly using a document. The charges relate to four successful and 12 unsuccessful wage subsidy applications submitted between March 2020 and September 2021.

Maung used the names and details of companies, including his own de-registered business PaintingPlus Services Limited, to apply for the subsidy.

Maung also made two separate applications using the name of a registered business belonging to a family member, without their knowledge. He also assisted other people to submit fraudulent applications using their own details.

The applications falsely claimed employment for individuals who were not working, and in at least one case, Maung provided false information to Inland Revenue to make the applications appear legitimate.

In total, Maung received $49,207.20 in wage subsidy payments the majority of which was used for personal expenses, including substantial cash withdrawals and online gambling. A further 12 applications, totalling over $86,000, were declined.

Reparation of $15,000 was also ordered.

A total of 45 people have been sentenced in wage subsidy cases, and another 49 people are still before the courts as part of MSD’s programme of work on wage subsidy fraud and integrity. Since the scheme started, more than $830 million* in wage subsidies has been repaid. For more information about the Wage Subsidy Integrity and Fraud Programme please see here. 

*Figures at 30 June