Auckland Man On Trial Accused Of Enslaving Woman, Stealing $78,000

The trial of an Auckland man accused of enslaving two young people has heard allegations that he coerced a woman into taking out a large bank loan and kept all the money for himself, RNZ reported.

Moeaia Tuai, 63, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including keeping two young people as slaves, rape, indecent assault, sexual violation by unlawful connection, and assault.

In the Auckland High Court, one complainant alleged that Tuai created an email account in her name to access her payslips and communicate with her employer. She told the court that Tuai took her to ASB Bank to secure a loan, purportedly for his father’s funeral, and later took her bank card to withdraw her money without consent, reported RNZ.

According to RNZ, the prosecution claims Tuai took at least $78,000 from the woman’s account and withdrew the final $800 after she fled. The jury was shown CCTV footage appearing to show Tuai withdrawing cash from an ATM.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Tua Saseve, the woman denied suggestions that Tuai had merely been teaching her how to use her bank card.

She further testified that she once made a false police complaint against another man out of fear that Tuai would physically harm her if she refused to follow his orders.

The trial is continuing in the Auckland High Court.