Ministry of Business asked for an indefinite ban on 68 year old fraudster Richard Mark Wallace ever again being involved in the car trade, given his near sixty fraud offences spanning thirty years and two jail terms. In the District Court, a just expired five year ban was extended for a further five years, in light of his recidivist behaviour.
Employment in the car trade requires licensing under the Motor Vehicle Sales Act; participants need to satisfy a ‘fit and proper’ test.
Wallace has an extensive record of fraud and dishonesty, most recently using multiple aliases selling ‘ghost cars’ through online platforms such as TradeMe. He is currently required to pay fifty dollars per fortnight in reparations across multiple victims.
Wallace told the District Court he is unable to get regular employment because of his criminal history. He said a Mr David Duke, who manages a business named as NB Cars, was willing to take him on as an independent contractor, providing intensive supervision.
Greater income will enable an increase in reparations to $250 per fortnight, he said.
Reparations remaining unpaid currently total some $80,000.
There is no detail around the level of supervision and how supervision would be carried out, Judge Clark said.
There is nothing in this proposal which gives absolute confidence that past behaviour would not occur again, he said.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment v. Wallace – District Court (12.11.25)
26.008