The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has expressed strong disapproval of the use of deceptive artificial intelligence tools that are being utilized to manipulate public trust. Chief Executive Senikavika Jiuta’s remarks follow the emergence of two fraudulent videos that have recently gained traction online.
Jiuta highlighted that scammers are increasingly leveraging advanced technologies, such as deepfake technology, to impersonate legitimate news media and businesses. This troubling trend is part of a broader increase in AI-generated fraud that specifically targets consumers. The first of the identified scam videos portrays a news presenter from Fiji Television, falsely promoting a misleading financial investment platform. This video misappropriates the branding and logos of reputable entities, including the Reserve Bank of Fiji and Fiji One News.
Furthermore, a second video circulating on TikTok claims that a prepaid Mastercard is available in Fiji, soliciting a monthly subscription fee while promising exorbitant returns of approximately USD $2,000 to $4,000. Users are drawn into the scheme by an initial business joining fee of $49.95, with scammers urging potential victims to purchase prepaid cards and share sensitive card details for supposed urgent payments.
Jiuta emphasized the growing concern regarding these scams, stating that they can deceive not only the most vulnerable segments of the population but also anyone, irrespective of their technological proficiency. She urged all Fijians to exercise caution, refrain from engaging with, and avoid disseminating such misleading content.
The FCCC’s recent warnings echo previous alerts concerning deceptive advertisements promising free online courses and jobs, which misuse the Fiji Government logo and mislead users into providing personal information on fraudulent websites. As scammers become more sophisticated, the public’s vigilance is crucial to prevent falling victim to such scams.
The increasing prevalence of scams, particularly at times of festive excitement, serves as a reminder for everyone to remain alert and informed. Collaboration between the FCCC, law enforcement, and the community is vital in fostering a more secure online environment.
With ongoing efforts to enhance public awareness and safety measures against these fraudulent schemes, there remains hope that through education and vigilance, individuals can protect themselves against such deceptive practices, promoting a safer online community for all Fijians.
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