The Crown has described the murder of 21-year-old Shalvin Prasad as a case of killing for money.

Prasad's charred body was found on the roadside in south Auckland in January 2013.

Shivneel Kumar and and Bryne Permal, who were 18 and 20 at the time, are on trial at the High Court in Auckland.

The Crown alleges Kumar was the instigator and driving force while Permal made the decision to join him to get some cash.

Prosecutor, Aaron Perkins says bank camera footage shows Mr Prasad withdrawing $30,000 while Kumar waited in his car.

He says shortly afterwards Prasad was robbed and Kumar went on a spending spree.