A couple from Labasa has been taken into police custody facing serious charges that include eight counts of Unauthorized Access, ten counts of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception, one count of Impersonation as a Police Officer, and one count related to Proceeds of Crime.
Authorities have uncovered that, between September 2023 and November 2024, the 30-year-old husband and his 36-year-old wife fraudulently acquired $3,290.00 from eleven victims. Investigations revealed that the couple operated by contacting high-profile individuals and unlawfully accessing their Viber accounts.
The couple would initiate normal phone calls, claiming that the recipient’s number had been mistakenly provided to a Japanese car dealer. In some instances, they posed as police officers, warning victims that their phone numbers were being monitored and requesting the international phone number that had called them. This international number was, in fact, the Viber activation code.
Once they gained access to the victims’ Viber accounts, the couple contacted vulnerable individuals in the victims’ contact lists to solicit money. The fraudulent activities have been reported at various police stations, prompting the ongoing investigation.
The couple is expected to appear in the Labasa Magistrates Court today at 2:30 PM.
This case highlights the critical importance of cybersecurity awareness among the public. As criminals become more sophisticated in their methods, it serves as a reminder for individuals to remain vigilant and safeguard their personal information, especially on digital platforms. By raising awareness and sharing information on such scams, communities can come together to prevent fraud and protect one another.
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