Crimes such as house burglaries and theft have decreased while fraud and identity theft have risen, as criminals match their skills with improving technology, a criminologists says.

Identity fraudsters "systematically and methodically" stole more than $500,000 in benefit scams before being caught last year.

A man was cheated out of inheriting his father's $400,000 life insurance by his grandmother and another woman who spent some of the money, a court has heard.

The woman accused of stealing more than 17,000 pieces of mail bound for Wakatipu homes has been remanded on bail to February 14.

The face of cybercrime is changing as criminals target social networking sites and mobile devices, and a new report says New Zealanders are vulnerable.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... Here's the Herald on Sunday's list of a dozen schemes that'll empty your stockings if you don't take care.

The stolen identities of dead children were allegedly used by an elderly man to scam taxpayers of $450,000 in a rare type of benefit fraud. Colin Diedrichs is accused of pretending to be two young boys - who died decades ago.

Disgraced former Act MP David Garrett lied to a court in 2005 to avoid a conviction for stealing the identity of a dead child, according to newly released documents.

Police have started another Super City electoral investigation, this time into allegations of bribery on the North Shore.

Police have widened their probe into a possible Super City voting scam to cover hundreds of people living in Hastings, Tauranga and Hamilton.

Garth George writes that the real reason to wish Act good riddance is its stupidity in managing its hypocritical MPs.

Internet fraudsters are using Facebook to steal Kiwis' bank and credit card account numbers and identities.

Former Act MP David Garrett, a lawyer, could face a professional misconduct probe.

The wreckage now masquerading as a political party is beyond restoration, writes political columnist John Armstrong.