A Department of Internal Affairs investigation has found a man pocketed more than $100,000 in less than a year while working as a unlicensed security guard.
In the Auckland District Court today, the 42-year-old pleaded guilty to six breaches of The Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act, resulting in a fine of $14,000.
DIA said Vinson Schuster earned more than $100,000 operating as a security guard and crowd controller.
Chief investigator of the complaints, investigation and prosecution unit Marty Greentree said Schuster provided services despite not having the appropriate paperwork over a period of 10 months.
“Our investigation found that between August 2021 and June 2022, Mr Schuster operated under various fake company names using variations of ‘Black Hawk’.
"In New Zealand, it is illegal to provide private security services without a valid licence."
Greentree explained security licences were needed to protect the public safety and it was "an important requirement to ensure security providers are trusted, trained, and comply with the law".
“Today's outcome is a reminder to anyone providing unlicensed security services that if they break the law, they will be held accountable, and to anyone considering hiring security personnel to check they have the right certification.”
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