Two additional individuals have been charged by the Fiji Police M-Paisa Task Force for allegedly committing fraud for financial gain.
In the first incident, a 35-year-old woman from Namara, Labasa, is accused of receiving $320 from a member of the public on March 16, 2024, through the M-Paisa platform. Investigations revealed that the victim believed they were sending money to a family friend who had requested it. When the victim checked with the friend and learned that the request was false, they promptly reported the incident to the police.
In a separate case, a 20-year-old man from Nabekavu in Labasa has been charged with one count of obtaining financial advantage by allegedly swindling $200. The victim reportedly sent this amount on May 15, 2024, in response to a Facebook advertisement for a phone for sale. The accused allegedly withdrew the money and severed all communication with the victim.
Both individuals are scheduled to appear in the Labasa Magistrates Court today.