"This isn't necessarily one of those but it appears to be something similar,'' he said.
The scams, many of which operate out of Nigeria, usually involve a letter or email which is sent to many - sometimes millions - of recipients making an offer that would purportedly result in a large payout for the victim.
Although the vast majority of recipients do not respond, a small percentage do - enough to make the fraud worthwhile.
Sums of money which are substantial, but less than the promised profit, are said to be required in advance for things like bribes and fees.
This is then stolen from the victim.
The accused man's lawyer Jeremy Bioletti today said that even if his client was convicted of fraud he could still be said to be a victim of a transnational crime.
Mr Bioletti submitted that this meant he fell into a separate category from people charged with only a domestic crime.
"Because he would fall outside the normal parameters of domestic criminal defendants it would stand to reason that his position needs to be assessed in accordance with the unique factors that apply to it.
"In exceptional circumstances arguments in favour of name suppression based on international obligations may prevail over the principle of open justice.''
The panel of three judges - Justices Lyn Stevens, Judith Potter and Ronald Young - reserved their decision.
The man's trial is set down for October.
- NZPA
