The Fiji Police Force is once again urging the public to refrain from sharing personal information, PINs, or passwords with anyone requesting such details over the phone, whether through calls or messages. This advisory comes following the arrest of two men and two women by the Fiji Police MPaisa Task Force, who are facing charges related to obtaining financial advantage through deception. They are set to appear at the Labasa Magistrates Court today.
In one case, two men, aged 45 and 27, allegedly worked together on August 18, 2023, to defraud a victim of $790 by hacking into the Viber account of the victim’s friend. The victim received a message requesting money for urgent needs and sent the amount, unaware that the friend’s account had been compromised. After receiving the funds, the 27-year-old withdrew the money, giving the first suspect $310 while he kept $480. The scam was uncovered when the victim checked with the friend, who confirmed that the request was not legitimate.
In a separate incident, a 29-year-old woman is accused of dishonestly acquiring $548 from another victim on March 1, 2023, without their knowledge. The victim reported the matter to the Nakasi Police Station upon discovering the unauthorized transfer.
Additionally, a 43-year-old woman allegedly obtained $40 from another victim on December 23, 2023. The victim provided her personal information and One Time Pin (OTP) under the impression of investing in an opportunity presented by the accused. The suspect is alleged to have used the OTP to withdraw the money.
The police continue to emphasize the importance of safeguarding personal information to prevent such scams from occurring.