Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica has announced that the Consumer Council of Fiji has recorded over 1,700 complaints related to scams since 2019, amounting to more than $3 million.
During his address in Parliament, Kamikamica stated that both the Consumer Council and the Fiji Police Force have indicated that approximately $3 million has been lost to eBay scams. He expressed his belief that the actual number of scams may be significantly higher, pending a report from the Reserve Bank of Fiji through the Financial Intelligence Unit, which is expected to provide a more accurate assessment of the situation.
Kamikamica noted that various kinds of scams and frauds are prevalent, including online scams utilizing phishing emails and text messages, as well as individuals impersonating business leaders and CEOs to facilitate unauthorized fund transfers via mobile wallets. He also mentioned a rise in investment scams, where con artists sell real or nonexistent products to individuals eager to make quick profits.
He pointed out that the eBay shop online recruitment scam stands as one of the largest in Fiji’s history, having a severe impact on many citizens and drawing national concern regarding the escalating threat of scams. The Deputy Prime Minister remarked that the attackers exploit the trust and aspirations of people, leaving them financially devastated and disheartened.
In response to this growing issue, Kamikamica indicated that the government has acted decisively by forming the Anti-Scam Taskforce. This collaborative initiative aims to combat the rising problem of fraud by enhancing scam monitoring, strengthening institutional frameworks, and executing targeted awareness campaigns with various partners.
He further emphasized the necessity of establishing a dedicated scam agency to address the evolving nature of scams effectively, asserting that a comprehensive strategy is vital to confront the increasing occurrence of scams in Fiji.