18/06/2026 -: High-value goods in spotlight as businesses urged to watch for money laundering risks

18 June 2026

Businesses that sell high-value goods are being reminded they play a key role in stopping money laundering and crime, as the Department of Internal Affairs releases new guidance to identify suspicious activity through high-value transactions.

"Items like jewellery, luxury watches, cars, precious metals and artwork can be attractive to criminals because they allow large amounts of money to be moved or hidden more easily than cash. In some cases, these goods act like a substitute for money, bought with illegal funds, stored, and later sold to make the money look legitimate," says the AML/CFT Director Laura Olsen, at the Department of Internal Affairs.

"High-value goods can also be easily transported, making them useful for moving money across borders. Some cultural items, particularly from conflict regions, may even be linked to more serious risks like terrorism financing.

The new Suspicious Activity Reporting Guidance for High-Value Dealers explains when and how to report suspicious activity and gives practical examples of what to look out for when handling expensive items like jewellery, vehicles, or precious metals.

The guidance outlines:

• when and how to submit a suspicious activity report
• common indicators of suspicious activity in high-value transactions
• money laundering and terrorism financing risks associated with dealing in specified high-value goods.

"Spotting and reporting suspicious activity helps protect both businesses and the wider system from criminal misuse, keeping our communities safer. If something doesn't seem right, like buyers who don't seem concerned about price or unusual or complicated transaction patterns, businesses should act," says Laura Olsen.

-ENDS-

Media contact:

Media Desk
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
Mobile: +64 27 535 8639
Email: [email protected]