Fraud accused asks to go into custody

Simon Turnbull appears in Auckland District Court. Photo / Nick Reed

An Auckland man accused of a multi-million-dollar mortgage fraud today turned up to court asking to be put into custody.

Simon Lawrence Wood Turnbull appeared in the Auckland District Court today after he was arrested at Auckland International Airport in June upon his arrival back into New Zealand.

The 43-year-old, who has lived out of New Zealand for years and has a young child still overseas, faces a string of charges - including dishonestly taking or using document, obtaining by deception or causing loss by deception, and using forged documents.

Turnbull was allegedly involved in a mortgage fraud where false loan applications were submitted to a fund management company to purchase 19 properties in and around the Auckland region, between September 2006 and August 2007.

Turnbull has yet to enter a plea to the charges he faces, which were laid in 2014.

During a hearing this afternoon, Turnbull's lawyer Simon Lance said he had "unusual" instructions and that his client wanted to surrender his bail.

The Serious Fraud Office's lawyer, John Dixon, did not oppose.

Judge Mina Wharepouri remanded Turnbull in custody.

He is next due to appear in the Auckland District Court in October.