A routine shopping trip in Suva took a serious turn when a Good Samaritan discovered an elderly man had been victimized by an ATM card swap scam. Veniana Devu, who shared the incident on social media, encountered the distressed man sitting next to the Westpac ATM near MaxValue. He was visibly anxious and frequently checking his watch while using crutches.
Devu felt compelled to approach him, sensing he might need assistance. Upon speaking with him, she learned that he had handed his bank card to a stranger who offered to help him withdraw money. However, the stranger returned only $20, claiming it was all that was left in the man’s account, and did not return the ATM card.
Another passerby, noticing the situation, suggested checking the transaction history. However, when they tried to use the card, the ATM rejected the entered PIN. It then became clear that the card the elderly man had was not his original card, but rather one that had been swapped by the scammer.
Devu expressed her heartbreak over the incident, highlighting the cruelty of exploiting a vulnerable elderly individual. She firmly condemned the act, emphasizing that such behavior is not only unacceptable but reflects poorly on societal values that should protect and respect elders.
Local police were notified and responded to initiate an investigation into the scam. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and compassion in safeguarding those who may be more susceptible to exploitation, especially the elderly. Community members are encouraged to watch out for one another and report any suspicious activity to prevent such incidents in the future.
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