Or James Moore!
A former Taranaki man working in Saudi Arabia learned money he sent home to pay bills had been seized under an anti-terrorism act.
Michael Shaskey says Kiwibank froze US$2600 ($3265) he sent to his New Zealand account under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act.
Shaskey, who has been teaching in Saudi Arabia since June, said he only learned the funds had been sequestered after several messages to Kiwibank went unanswered and he threatened to go to the Banking Ombudsman.
“Six days of frustration and head-scratching, when I wondered if I would ever see my money again,” he said.
“Then, when I upped the ante, it turned out that some overzealous keyboard-jockey in Kiwibank had seized my money but ignored my messages.”
Kiwibank acting complaints manager John Timms did not want to comment on the situation yesterday.
The act, which is overseen by the Ministry of Justice, seeks to find and stop money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Read more
Aotearoa: A Wider Perspective 