Mudgway, Cranston deny Fiji holiday scam

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Thu, 28 Jul 2011 7:00p.m.

Craig Mudgway and Anita Cranston

Craig Mudgway and Anita Cranston

For the past five weeks Campbell Live has been on the trail of Anita Cranston and Craig Mudgway.

She loves champagne, sleeping and spending money.

He owes Westpac $25 million.

But they came to our attention through a Fijian holiday home they were renting out. It’s not known how many people they have rented it to, but the Kiwis who contacted Campbell Live took it for once in a lifetime treats; weddings, 50th and 60th birthdays – the big occasions.

Deposits were paid.

But Campbell Live revealed the house had been sold, people had been double and even triple booked, and that Cranston and Mudgway appeared unable to pay deposits back.

Why? Where is the money? And what were Cranston and Mudgway doing taking tens of thousands of dollars from people for a house they couldn’t provide?

Campbell Live tried repeatedly to ask them.

Yesterday, the pair were arrested in Rotorua and charged with obtaining funds by deception.

Today, they sat down with Tristram Clayton and the Rotorua Hotel where they’re staying. We asked them where the $40,000 in deposits is.

Watch the video

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Comments

23 Sep 2011 10:52a.m.

good things come to those who wait wrote:

Its been along time coming!!!So many people over the years are out of money because of Craig Mudgway.He just lies his way through life,and an expensive one at that.He paid no monies from start to finish in my house and left bills for us to clear up ,and he just gets away with it.Keep going TV3 Campbell.Finally someone is taking notice of the scumball.Anita you poor pathetic sod!!!Your in this too,up to your neck!!!!!!.Once your life is on track best you leave New Zealand and start fresh because you have had here in NZ.People like you just think you can get away with it.I suppose if your in the shit for 25million whats another 50k.Pathectic.Mr Mudgway dosen't know how to work.He is just a scammer!!!!!

23 Sep 2011 10:52a.m.

good things come to those who wait wrote:

Its been along time coming!!!So many people over the years are out of money because of Craig Mudgway.He just lies his way through life,and an expensive one at that.He paid no monies from start to finish in my house and left bills for us to clear up ,and he just gets away with it.Keep going TV3 Campbell.Finally someone is taking notice of the scumball.Anita you poor pathetic sod!!!Your in this too,up to your neck!!!!!!.Once your life is on track best you leave New Zealand and start fresh because you have had here in NZ.People like you just think you can get away with it.I suppose if your in the shit for 25million whats another 50k.Pathectic.Mr Mudgway dosen't know how to work.He is just a scammer!!!!!

14 Sep 2011 04:43p.m.

Shammi Zullah wrote:

We are also the victims of these two money scammers. We were booked in the villa from the 31st Oct to 6th Nov, for ours daughters wedding. I paid 50% deposit and I was ready to pay the other half. God was on my side, this morning on 14/9/2011 I was gooling sometime and somehow have idea how I came across to 3News.co.nz and there it was live interview on national tv from July. So you see I would not have none what was going on. Now I have to build a courage to tell 3 couple friends that they don'thave accommodation in Fiji and I would not be surprised they will cancel their trips because they have been saving for this trip for a long time. I strongly beleive they are quilty, They have to pay for this..

30 Aug 2011 03:18p.m.

K M wrote:

I know her personally. Pretty shocked to be honest.

12 Aug 2011 03:59p.m.

Sue Brown wrote:

they resided at the west quay complex for a period of 4 months and I was constanely trying to get the rent due,and only paid rent when threatened with eviction.after dissapearing for two weeks with every light and heater left going in the apartment they contacted me to say they wouldnt be back although rent was up to date owner was left with a $802 dollar power bill,I still I have a record of all the abusive texts I recieved from Anita.Started about the 2nd March 2011.They are so guilty!Do we know when they are back in court? would love to know.

03 Aug 2011 05:35p.m.

Lisa wrote:

Hideous people, they look like they need a good wash

03 Aug 2011 03:58p.m.

Newbie wrote:

@Amy - that is just so sad to hear! And stories like this which make such a mockery of their claims on TV the other night - they are blatant liers and scammers without a concience. To them $3k here $5k there may seem nothing but to the people scammed it is everything - not to mention the shattered holidays and dreams - Damn you pair to hell! Amy, i hope you get something sorted - weddings are stressfull enough as it is! GOod Luck

02 Aug 2011 01:21p.m.

Sha wrote:

@Eric: Oh dear Eric you are quite obviously not a man of the world with little experience.

02 Aug 2011 01:44a.m.

justice wrote:

Thank goodness the police have charged these people.Look how good craig Mudgway is at lying that is a really good pscopath .Watch craig must have read the games people play by eric berne .How are they living in hotels still?

01 Aug 2011 10:34p.m.

Amy - Australia wrote:

I was one of the victims of her scam. I am due to have my wed next month in Fiji but now my family and I no place to stay and are out of pocket. Luckily I googled her name on the internet after failed attempts to contact her and stumbled accross this article as I was due to pay the balance this week. Back to the drawing board I guess with a huge dent in the budget. I hope justice is served.