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, one count of impersonating a police officer, and one count of Proceeds of Crime.
The 30-year-old businessman and his 36-year-old spouse allegedly deceived eleven victims, cumulatively obtaining $3,290 between September 2023 and November 2024. Investigative reports indicate that the couple engaged in a scheme that involved targeting prominent individuals by logging into their Viber accounts without authorization.
Their modus operandi included making phone calls to their victims, falsely claiming that there was an error regarding their phone number relating to a Japanese car dealer. In some instances, they impersonated a police officer, informing victims that their communications were being monitored and requested the international phone number that had contacted them. This number was actually the activation code for Viber.
Once they gained access to these accounts, the couple proceeded to contact vulnerable individuals within the victims’ contact lists to solicit money. The fraudulent activities prompted numerous reports to the police from the victims involved.
The couple is scheduled to appear in front of the Labasa Magistrates Court today at 2:30 PM.
This incident highlights the growing concern regarding cybercrime and the importance of safeguarding personal information online. The authorities are taking proactive steps to investigate such crimes, and it’s hoped that swift legal action will deter similar offenses in the future.
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