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 concerning Proceeds of Crime.
Investigations have revealed that from September 2023 to November 2024, the 30-year-old businessman and his 36-year-old wife illicitly acquired $3,290 from eleven victims. Their method of operation involved contacting prominent individuals and illegally accessing their Viber accounts.
The couple would often place phone calls, claiming that the victims’ numbers had been mistakenly passed to a Japanese car dealer. In some instances, they posed as police officers, telling the victims their phone numbers were under surveillance and requesting the international phone number associated with certain calls. This international number was, in reality, the activation code for Viber.
Once they gained access to the Viber accounts of their targets, they would reach out to people in their contact lists, soliciting money from those considered vulnerable. The fraudulent activities were reported across various police stations.
The couple is set to appear in front of the Labasa Magistrates Court today at 2:30 PM.
This case underscores the ongoing issue of cybercrime and the importance of safeguarding personal information. As this couple faces legal consequences, it serves as a reminder for individuals to stay vigilant against scams and unauthorized access.
Despite the fraudulent acts, communities can work together to raise awareness about such schemes, helping to protect potential victims from future scams.
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