A 52-year-old man has been charged by the Fiji Police Force’s M-Paisa Taskforce Team for deception in obtaining a financial advantage. The charges stem from an incident on September 8, 2023, in which the accused allegedly swindled $100 from a victim using M-Paisa.
The investigation revealed that the victim, while browsing Facebook, encountered a post related to car hire services. The individual was instructed to send a deposit to secure a reservation for a vehicle. After transferring the money, the victim was unable to reach the driver despite several attempts to call.
Concerned about the situation, the victim reported the matter to the Consumer Council, which subsequently referred the case to the Fiji Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department in Suva.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Nasinu Magistrates Court this afternoon, where legal proceedings will commence.
This case highlights the importance of exercising caution when engaging in financial transactions online, especially through social media platforms. Victims of online scams can take steps to protect themselves by verifying the legitimacy of service providers before making payments.
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