Malupo faced up to one year\u2019s imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000 for a representative charge of providing a financial service without being registered. She faced an additional fine of up to $100,000 for attempting to deceive or knowingly mislead the Commerce Commission. <\/p>\n
Judge Sharp said he initially envisaged ordering Malupo to pay roughly $50,000 in combined fines and restitution. But in a financial declaration to the court today, she said she has no assets and earns just $62 per week. <\/p>\n
Instead of a fine, the judge ordered 150 hours of community service. He also ordered her to pay $15,000 in restitution at $40 per week, down from the $32,698 she owed her victims. Judge Sharp acknowledged that $40 per week is going to be a slow process, but he said it was important that victims receive something. <\/p>\n
Authorities first reached out to Malupo with a warning letter in July 2024 after receiving a complaint about Nane Loans two months earlier. <\/p>\n
In response, Malupo immediately assured the commission that she would cease operations until she could be properly registered. But the lending continued and she was issued three more warning letters between then and April last year. <\/p>\n
Judge David Sharp. Photo \/ Jason Dorday<\/p>\n
A \u201cstop now\u201d letter was also issued in April 2025, at which point she again said she would stop lending and said she was remorseful for having done so for the past seven months. <\/p>\n
But even after the charges were filed, she was found to be in breach of bail last September for again lending money, Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Rutherford noted today. <\/p>\n
In a letter of remorse submitted to the court today, Malupo said the experience has changed her and she now realised she must do things the right way even when it is difficult. She was active in her church and had since engaged in financial courses, her lawyer said. <\/p>\n
Judge Sharp encouraged Malupo to continue taking courses, explaining that he would be willing to count life skills and training as an alternative to community service. Perhaps after the two-year ban is up, she could start fresh, he suggested. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are properly qualified to provide loans and services, that\u2019s a way in which you can support your community,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Associate Commerce Commissioner Joseph Liava\u2019a noted when Malupo was charged last year that some of her borrowers resorted to selling sentimental possessions or missing rent payments to pay her back. <\/p>\n
\u201cOften these kinds of lenders are a last resort for people who are struggling to borrow from reputable lenders,\u201d he said. \u201cMany people who borrowed from Ms Malupo were already under financial pressure and on low incomes, so irresponsible lending could have had a big impact on borrowers and their families.\u201d <\/p>\n
He noted that some of the borrowers said they needed the money to buy food or pay off other loans. <\/p>\n
The official also criticised Malupo\u2019s weaponisation of social media. <\/p>\n
\u201cPublic shaming is never okay and could put borrowers in a vulnerable position to avoid being called out for their friends and family to see,\u201d Liava\u2019a said.<\/p>\n