A couple from Labasa is currently in police custody facing multiple serious charges. The husband, aged 30, and his 36-year-old wife are accused of committing eight counts of Unauthorized Access, ten counts of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception (OFABD), one count of Impersonation as a Police Officer, and one count related to Proceeds of Crime (POC).
Investigations indicate that between September and November 2024, the couple allegedly managed to fraudulently obtain $3,290 from a total of eleven victims. The police uncovered a scheme where the duo would contact prominent individuals and unlawfully access their Viber accounts.
The modus operandi involved making standard phone calls to the victims while claiming that their number had been incorrectly provided to a Japanese car dealer. Additionally, they impersonated police officers to inform victims about monitoring their calls and requesting the international phone number associated with a previous call. This number was, in fact, a request for the Viber activation code.
Once they gained access to the Viber accounts of these individuals, they proceeded to contact vulnerable people in their contact lists, soliciting financial support under false pretenses. Reports regarding this fraudulent activity were made at various police stations, leading to the couple’s apprehension.
They are scheduled to appear in Labasa Magistrates Court today at 2:30 PM.
This case serves as a reminder of the increasing sophistication of scams in the digital age. It highlights the importance of safeguarding personal information and being cautious about sharing sensitive data over the phone or through messaging apps. Local authorities are expected to continue their efforts to combat such deceptive practices and protect the community.
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