February 28, 2024
Scammers use tangihanga as hook
A Māori data ethicist says tikanga Māori is being trampled by scammers offering to live stream tangihanga.
Tipene Funeral Services has issued a warning about people trying to cash in on the funeral of former Green MP Efeso Collins by creating fake social media profiles and asking for a koha for livestream access.
Karaitiana Taiuru says he’s heard of 10 similar cases last month alone, and is concerned the authorities he’s contacted don’t seem to be treating te problem with any urgency.
“Whoever’s doing it has an understanding of some basics of our tikanga and they’re playing on that. It also could be that maybe as Māori we’re sharing too much of our customary values online. It’s just too hard to tell right now,” he says
Dr Tauiru says people need to check with the whānau pani and funeral directors to protect themselves from being scammed.