The Fiji Police Force’s MPaisa Taskforce has arrested a couple from Labasa for allegedly engaging in deceptive practices to obtain money. The couple, aged 30 and 27, faces multiple charges, including four counts of Unauthorized Access, Identity Theft, and Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception, in addition to one count of Proceeds of Crime.
The incidents reportedly occurred between September 2023 and December 2024, during which the couple is believed to have fraudulently acquired $730 from four victims via the MPaisa system. Investigations revealed that they contacted well-known individuals, misleading them by claiming their number was mistakenly given to a Japanese car dealer. In some instances, they impersonated police officers to suggest that the victims’ numbers were under surveillance, coercing them into providing an international phone number that would serve as the Viber activation code.
Once they compromised the Viber accounts of these prominent individuals, they then attempted to solicit money from vulnerable contacts within those accounts. The situation was reported at the Totogo Police Station, and the couple is scheduled to appear in the Magistrates Court in Labasa today.
This incident highlights the growing issue of online deception and identity theft, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance in digital communications. It is a hopeful reminder that law enforcement is actively working to tackle these crimes, aiming to protect citizens from fraud and restore trust in online platforms. The community’s cooperation in reporting such incidents is crucial in combating these types of crimes effectively.
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