Investigations have uncovered a new pyramid scheme operating under the name SFCVIBE RATING LIMITED, which is designed to deceive individuals out of their hard-earned money. This online platform presents itself as a task-based scheme, enticing victims with promises of high payouts for performing simple digital tasks, such as rating and reviewing movies.
To participate, individuals must pay upfront monthly subscription fees to access work levels, revealing the platform’s pay-to-earn model. This structure forces users to make a financial commitment before they can start working, a trait often associated with fraudulent scams.
The Consumer Council of Fiji has expressed its concerns following the recent eBayShop recruitment pyramid scheme that caused over $3 million in losses in 2023. The council warns consumers to be wary of SFCVIBE and to avoid making any payments to the platform. Chief Executive Officer Seema Shandil has emphasized that such schemes frequently require upfront payments, a hallmark indicative of fraud similar to the eBayShop operation.
Investigations by the Council revealed that SFCVIBE employs deceptive tactics to entice users. Shandil noted that legitimate employment opportunities do not necessitate entry fees. Furthermore, the platform’s use of tiered membership levels encourages users to deposit more money with the false promise of higher returns.
“The movie reviews act as a façade to legitimize monetary transactions, relying heavily on new member deposits to pay current users. This is further exacerbated by recruitment incentives that pressure members to invite friends for commissions, which drives the scheme’s operations,” she stated.
The Consumer Council warned that these digital scams primarily aim at those seeking additional income in the evolving digital economy. They reiterated that if a job requires an upfront payment, it is likely a scam, as these platforms ultimately collapse when the recruitment of new members slows down, leaving the administrators to vanish with any remaining funds.
As a precautionary measure, Shandil advises the public to immediately halt all payments to SFCVIBE, regardless of claims regarding taxes or account verification. Furthermore, victims of this scheme are urged to contact the Council via their toll-free line at 155 or through email at complaints@consumersfiji.org. Reporting transaction details to service providers can aid in tracing recipients and preventing further fraudulent activity.
This troubling development highlights the importance of consumer awareness in the face of increasingly sophisticated online scams. Efforts to raise awareness can empower individuals to protect themselves and their finances in the digital landscape.
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