A couple from Labasa is currently in police custody facing multiple charges, including 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 regarding Proceeds of Crime (POC). Investigations indicate that between September 2023 and November 2024, the 30-year-old businessman and his 36-year-old wife fraudulently acquired $3,290 from eleven victims.
The police uncovered that the couple would reach out to prominent individuals, logging into their Viber accounts without permission. They would falsely present themselves as victims of a mistaken identity situation involving a car dealer from Japan during normal phone calls. On occasion, they impersonated police officers, claiming that the victims’ numbers were being monitored and soliciting international phone numbers that had contacted them. These numbers turned out to be Viber activation codes.
Upon gaining access to the Viber accounts, the couple would approach vulnerable contacts in the victims’ lists to solicit money. Various reports regarding the couple’s activities have been documented at multiple police stations, and they are scheduled to appear in the Labasa Magistrates Court today at 2:30 PM.
This incident serves as a reminder of the significant risks associated with digital privacy and the importance of vigilance when sharing personal information, even with trusted contacts. It highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address and combat fraud and impersonation crimes effectively. As the investigation continues, it is hopeful that justice will be served and that this case will raise awareness about such deceptive practices, fostering greater public caution against such fraudulent schemes.
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