The Fiji Police Force’s MPaisa Taskforce has arrested a couple from Labasa on charges of fraud and identity theft. The duo, consisting of a 30-year-old businessman and his 27-year-old wife, faces multiple charges, including four counts of Unauthorized Access, four counts of Identity Theft, and four counts related to Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception, along with one count of Proceeds of Crime.
The couple is accused of deceitfully obtaining $730 from four victims via the MPaisa mobile payment platform between September 2023 and December 2024. The police investigation revealed that they targeted notable individuals by calling them and feigning that their phone number was mistakenly provided to a Japanese car dealer. They further posed as police officers to suggest that the victims’ numbers were being monitored, asking for the international phone number associated with a suspicious call, which was actually the Viber activation code.
Once they gained access to the Viber accounts of their victims, they called contacts and solicited money, preying on the vulnerability of those in the victims’ contact lists. The fraudulent activities were reported to police at the Totogo Police station. The couple is expected to appear in the Magistrates Court in Labasa today.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges posed by technology-related fraud, reminding individuals to remain vigilant about their personal information and digital security. Law enforcement agencies continue to actively combat such deceptive practices, working to protect citizens and bring perpetrators to justice.
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