Colin Engelbrecht

Colin Engelbrecht is an experienced Investigator, and the Team Leader of the Digital Messaging side of the ‘Digital Messaging and Violent Extremism’ unit within the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs. Colin joined the team four years ago while completing a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies at Victoria University, Wellington. The Digital Messaging Team is responsible for regulating the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007. This Act sets out the rules and responsibilities related to the sending of commercial messaging across email, SMS, instant message and fax. This Act also includes provisions for the regulation and enforcement of scam messaging.

For the last three years the Digital Messaging Team has been responsible for leading Operation Cargo, a flagship operation investigating serious scam SMS criminal offending impacting New Zealand. Operation Cargo sought support from law enforcement agencies from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States as well as deeply embedded cooperation with the telecommunications providers in New Zealand.

Colin has led complex investigations focussing on sophisticated criminal enterprises exploiting the New Zealand SMS network to distribute high harm scam messaging. These investigations have resulted in the disruption of several transnational criminal organisations and criminal prosecutions resulting in prison sentences. Colin’s experience includes planning and leading search warrant activity resulting in the seizure of large volumes of SIM boxes, over 90,000 SIM cards, illegal firearms & ammunition and the restraint of over $500,000 of cash and assets.

Colin has assisted in the deployment of the 7726 Spam Reporting Service towards automated scam intelligence and disruption tools and the Team’s work in strengthening and maintaining productive relationships with both domestic and overseas government agencies and members of the telecommunications, banking and technology sectors.