An Auckland tribunal has ordered Ofa Siasau to repay Pita Hingano $26,250 by May 21, 2025, after ruling that she operated an illegal pyramid scheme, Tongitupe New Zealand PTOA.
The decision last week follows widespread controversy over multiple pyramid schemes within New Zealand’s Tongan community three years ago, which left many participants out of pocket by thousands of dollars.
Several scheme operators now face legal action in both New Zealand and the U.S.
Tongitupe New Zealand PTOA was founded by Tilila Siola’a Walker Sumchai, who is currently facing charges in ongoing legal proceedings.
The tribunal found that Pita Hingano invested $54,000 into Siasau’s scheme between April and July 2021.
He was promised a return of $2,500 per week for every $4,500 invested.
Hingano received $27,750 in returns before Siasau halted payments, citing “some issues.”
The tribunal ruled that the scheme violated Section 24 of the Fair Trading Act (FTA), which prohibits pyramid selling.
Siasau did not appear at the final hearing on 7 November 2024, despite being warned that adjournments would not be granted for missed emails.
She has been ordered to repay $26,250, the difference between Hingano’s investment and his returns.
Other court cases
As recently reported, several Tongans, including a man and two women, were fined for promoting a “cash-gifting” pyramid scheme targeting the Tongan community in South Auckland. The trio were Feleti Halafihi, Frances Saimone, and Patricia Pousini.
They were involved in the multiple schemes operating between 2021 and 2022.
An estimated 240 people participated, investing between $225,000 and $336,750 in that scheme.
In 2023, a federal grand jury returned a 30-count indictment (14 September 2023) against Walker, charging her with wire fraud, mail fraud, securities fraud, and the sale of unregistered securities, according to U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
At the time, reports indicated that more than 1,000 investors had contributed over $13 million to Walker’s scheme.
