Auckland Café Owner Sentenced for over $22,000 Wage Subsidy Fraud

Meng Wang, also known as Roy Wang, was sentenced on February 12 after previously pleading guilty to two representative charges of dishonestly using a document. 

As well as the three successful applications, Wang attempted to claim a further $99,228.00 through 19 unsuccessful employer and sole trader wage subsidy scheme applications.

Wang was the sole director and shareholder of Prospect W & M Limited (PWM), which formerly operated The Delicious Café in Te Atatū Peninsula.

During his ownership of PWM, Wang made one application for the wage subsidy for six employees, however none of this subsidy was passed on to the named employees.

Despite selling the café on 1 May 2020, Wang continued to submit wage subsidy applications in PWM’s name, falsely declaring that the business was operating and that listed individuals were currently employed.

At the same time he was falsely claiming the subsidy under PWM, Wang submitted multiple sole trader applications using different IR numbers, despite having no self‑employment income and was receiving wage subsidy payments as an employee of another company he directed, 2R Catering Limited.

Following one of the unsuccessful applications, MSD informed Mr Wang that PWM did not meet the criteria for the scheme. Wang continued to make applications despite knowing they were fraudulent.

When deciding on a final sentence, District Court Judge Robyn von Keisenberg noted the defendant’s prompt guilty plea, his remorse, his acceptance of full responsibility, and personal circumstances and cooperation. 

Reparation was not ordered as Mr Wang is an adjudicated bankrupt.

A total of 56 people have been sentenced in wage subsidy cases, and another 48 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 7 November 2025