The Fiji Police Force’s MPaisa Taskforce Team has apprehended a couple from Labasa on charges of fraudulently acquiring money through deceitful means. The couple, a 30-year-old businessman and his 27-year-old wife, were taken into custody and face multiple charges, including four counts of Unauthorized Access, four counts of Identity Theft, four counts of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception (OFABD), and one count related to Proceeds of Crime (POC).
Reports indicate that the couple allegedly obtained $730 from four victims utilizing the MPaisa platform. The incidents reportedly occurred between September 2023 and December 2024. Investigations revealed that the couple engaged in deceptive practices by calling prominent individuals and gaining unauthorized access to their Viber accounts.
Their modus operandi involved making phone calls, claiming that the recipients’ phone numbers were mistakenly shared with a Japanese car dealer. Additionally, they posed as police officers, misleading victims into believing their phone numbers were being monitored and requesting international phone numbers that would lead to a Viber activation code. By accessing these Viber accounts, they were able to contact vulnerable individuals in their victims’ contact lists to solicit money.
The case was reported at the Totogo Police station, and the couple is set to appear in the Magistrates Court in Labasa today.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and awareness when it comes to digital security and identity protection. The authorities are taking a strong stand against such criminal activities, and it’s hopeful that this case will encourage others to report suspicious activities and protect themselves against similar scams.
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