A 54-year-old farmer and a 26-year-old woman from Seqaqa are set to appear in the Labasa Magistrates Court today, facing charges of Obtaining Financial Advantage. The allegations stem from an incident on July 19, 2022, where the two individuals allegedly deceived a victim into transferring $356.00 to them via the mpaisa platform.
According to investigations, the farmer contacted the victim, claiming that she had mistakenly received money meant for her. He requested the victim to return the funds, leading the victim to send the amount back, only for the farmer to subsequently transfer the money to the young woman’s mpaisa account. The victim later discovered that her funds had been transferred to another account without her consent and reported the fraud to the Taveuni Police Station.
Both accused are currently in police custody and are expected to address the court later today.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance in financial transactions, especially with the increasing use of digital payment platforms. As financial fraud becomes more prevalent, awareness and education on recognizing scams are crucial for individuals to protect themselves from potential exploitation. It is a reminder that community vigilance and prompt reporting can help authorities tackle financial crime effectively.
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