Man charged over $4m property fraud

A Tauranga man is accused of conning people out of millions to support his lifestyle. File photo

A Tauranga man accused of conning people out of millions to support his lifestyle for decades has today had fraud charges laid against him.

Mark Lawrence Ivil, 58, is alleged to have fraudulently obtained around $4.28 million from 1990 to 2014.

A total of 21 charges were laid at Tauranga District Court today after a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into Ivil's alleged activities since the early 1990s was launched following a complaint in June last year.

It alleges that he has survived financially by persuading people to part with cash and direct credit payments with "convincing and plausible scenarios" about returns on a property development in Australia as well as other schemes.

He's also accused of failing to appear at an interview with SFO investigators and failure to provide documents required by the SFO, during the investigation.

The SFO claims that he has also used the names Mark Irvine and Mark Urvine.

"Mr Ivil has a reputation for being elusive and using aliases," SFO director Julie Read alleged today.

"This could potentially mean there are more victims.

"We encourage anyone who is concerned about their dealings with Mr Ivil to contact the SFO."

Ivil faces charges that include allegations of obtaining by deception, obtaining by false pretence, using a forged document and obstructing an investigation.

He will appear at Tauranga District Court next Tuesday.

• The SFO contact number for complaints and enquiries is 0800 109 800.