Reserve Bank of Fiji deputy governor Esala Masitabua has warned that the growth of AI-driven fraud and deepfake technology is pushing scam risks to the forefront of policy-making, and said the central bank is ramping up protection, education and regional cooperation to shield Fijians. Masitabua made the remarks during a panel discussion at the 2026 Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants Annual Congress, framing the threat as both immediate and evolving.
“Two points come to my mind. First one is preparing for the risks and that is something we encounter frequently at the Reserve Bank,” Masitabua said, noting how “easy it is – now we have deep fakes, and you have AI generated scams.” He said those developments mean protection measures must be a priority for government and regulators, and that bolstering financial literacy is a central part of the response. “The protection around that is something that is forefront for policy makers… and I think that goes to education, financial literacy and something that we spend a lot of time and resources in,” he added.
Masitabua said the RBF is already stepping beyond strictly conventional central bank duties to tackle the problem. He highlighted the launch of a financial hub intended to upskill people for the digital economy and said the Bank is collaborating with external partners, including the Australian and New Zealand governments and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), to broaden reach and impact. “We have launched the financial hub and [are] working with the Australian government, with New Zealand government, and with the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation… trying to upskill people in terms of their transformation into the digital world, and that has been a lot of success,” he said.
He also urged Fiji to actively seek support from multilateral and bilateral partners rather than attempting to confront the problem alone. “I think we pointed out that seeking help is so important – where we can get help from and there are always multilateral partners who are willing to help us – Australia and New Zealand,” Masitabua said. That outreach reflects a recognition that smaller economies can gain efficiency and effectiveness by adapting lessons and tools developed by larger peers.
Masitabua tied the approach on scams to the Reserve Bank’s posture on other digital-era issues, including central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). He said the Bank is watching jurisdictions that are further along in implementing digital tools, noting: “We do not have to be on the forefront, and I think that is a good way to approach things with scams and learning from others.” The comment signals a preference for measured adoption and learning from international experience when considering CBDCs and other major innovations.
The RBF’s comments at the FICA congress mark a more public articulation of how the central bank plans to contend with fraud amplified by emerging technologies: a mix of public education, inter-governmental cooperation, technical upskilling and selective adoption of lessons from countries ahead in the digital transition. With deepfakes and AI-enabled impersonation increasingly used by fraudsters worldwide, Masitabua’s emphasis on partnerships and financial literacy frames the next phase of the RBF’s consumer-protection work.