Five additional individuals have been charged by the Fiji Police Mpaisa Task Force for engaging in fraudulent activities to secure financial benefits.
In the first incident, it is alleged that on July 28, 2023, a public member entrusted $200 to a 32-year-old woman from Tavakubu in Lautoka. The accused is said to have facilitated the transfer without the victim’s knowledge and subsequently received the funds from another accused who has already been charged and brought to court. Allegedly, the accused charged her MasterCard with the $200.
In another case, it is reported that on March 4, 2023, a 20-year-old resident of Waiyavi, Lautoka, deceitfully obtained $327 from a member of the public. Police investigations reveal that the victim provided the accused with the money for the purchase of six bags of chicken advertised on Facebook. The accused purportedly failed to deliver the promised products and instead withdrew the funds.
Additionally, a 50-year-old resident of Lautoka and the same 20-year-old are accused of conducting a similar scam, allegedly taking $820 from a public member in March 2023 for the same quantity of chicken that was promoted on Facebook. The two are said to have also failed to deliver the purchased goods and took off with the money.
In yet another incident, a 24-year-old man is accused of obtaining $200 for an item advertised on Facebook, after which he ceased all communication with the victim following payment.
Lastly, a 33-year-old man allegedly received a $190 deposit in April 2024 for timber posted on Facebook.
All five accused individuals are scheduled to appear in the Lautoka Magistrates Court today.
The Fiji Police Force is advising online shoppers to verify all transactions, and where possible, to inspect products in person before making payments. They encourage individuals to ask friends or family to assist in checking products available in other divisions. A simple phone call to confirm the legitimacy of sellers claiming to represent well-known brands may help avoid scams, as some may offer bulk goods at lower prices.
To avert online fraud, it is advisable to conduct necessary checks before transferring any funds.