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ISSUE
Friday, May 15, 2026
Volume 17 . Issue 19
An Auckland couple has lost $27,000 after allegedly being targeted by a fake painting company operating under the name “Everlast Home Improvements”, as police continue investigating a string of travelling scams across the region, Stuff has reported.
Twenty-one-year-old Andrew Yeshua Glauberman has pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court to two fraud-related charges and multiple shoplifting offences. The UK national has been remanded in custody until his sentencing on September 11.
Police have also issued an arrest warrant for 29-year-old Thomas Jay Taylor, who allegedly fled New Zealand after the offending came to light. Authorities say he will face immediate arrest if he returns to the country, Stuff reported.
The case emerged from an investigation into a painting scam that targeted homeowners in Auckland earlier this year.
In early March, a flyer promoting “Everlast Home Improvements” was delivered to a Mt Albert home. The homeowners later hired the company and paid a $27,000 deposit for exterior painting work.
Police said an associate arrived at the property the following day and carried out limited sanding work over two days before leaving the site. The worker never returned, and no further work was completed.
Glauberman and Taylor were later stopped by Counties Manukau police officers further south and arrested in connection with five shoplifting incidents and an obtaining by deception offence linked to a Manukau hardware store.
Police say the prosecution reflects a broader trend of travelling scammers targeting New Zealanders through short-term operations.
Authorities are actively opposing bail for defendants accused of such offending, often resulting in foreign nationals remaining in custody for much of their stay in New Zealand before eventual deportation proceedings. Police are also continuing to work alongside Immigration New Zealand to address migrant-related fraud offending.
According to police, this is the 14th prosecution in the past three years involving foreign nationals allegedly operating rotating scam schemes across Auckland. Investigators say previous cases have included fake police scams, text message scams, foreign exchange fraud, blessing scams, term deposit fraud, and travelling scams involving deposits for roofing and painting work, Stuff has reported.
Police are urging anyone who received an “Everlast Home Improvements” flyer, paid money to the company, or believes they may have been affected by the alleged scam to report it online through 105.police.govt.nz or by calling 105.
An Auckland couple has lost $27,000 after allegedly being targeted by a fake painting company operating under the name “Everlast Home Improvements”, as police continue investigating a string of travelling scams across the region, Stuff has reported.Twenty-one-year-old Andrew Yeshua Glauberman has...
An Auckland couple has lost $27,000 after allegedly being targeted by a fake painting company operating under the name “Everlast Home Improvements”, as police continue investigating a string of travelling scams across the region, Stuff has reported.
Twenty-one-year-old Andrew Yeshua Glauberman has pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court to two fraud-related charges and multiple shoplifting offences. The UK national has been remanded in custody until his sentencing on September 11.
Police have also issued an arrest warrant for 29-year-old Thomas Jay Taylor, who allegedly fled New Zealand after the offending came to light. Authorities say he will face immediate arrest if he returns to the country, Stuff reported.
The case emerged from an investigation into a painting scam that targeted homeowners in Auckland earlier this year.
In early March, a flyer promoting “Everlast Home Improvements” was delivered to a Mt Albert home. The homeowners later hired the company and paid a $27,000 deposit for exterior painting work.
Police said an associate arrived at the property the following day and carried out limited sanding work over two days before leaving the site. The worker never returned, and no further work was completed.
Glauberman and Taylor were later stopped by Counties Manukau police officers further south and arrested in connection with five shoplifting incidents and an obtaining by deception offence linked to a Manukau hardware store.
Police say the prosecution reflects a broader trend of travelling scammers targeting New Zealanders through short-term operations.
Authorities are actively opposing bail for defendants accused of such offending, often resulting in foreign nationals remaining in custody for much of their stay in New Zealand before eventual deportation proceedings. Police are also continuing to work alongside Immigration New Zealand to address migrant-related fraud offending.
According to police, this is the 14th prosecution in the past three years involving foreign nationals allegedly operating rotating scam schemes across Auckland. Investigators say previous cases have included fake police scams, text message scams, foreign exchange fraud, blessing scams, term deposit fraud, and travelling scams involving deposits for roofing and painting work, Stuff has reported.
Police are urging anyone who received an “Everlast Home Improvements” flyer, paid money to the company, or believes they may have been affected by the alleged scam to report it online through 105.police.govt.nz or by calling 105.
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