A 30-year-old woman has been arrested by the Fiji Police Cyber Task Force over allegations of fraud involving financial deception. The incident reportedly took place on February 3, 2024, when a victim sent $600 to the accused based on an online advertisement claiming to sell an iPhone. Following the transaction, the victim attempted to contact the accused multiple times, but all communication was cut off.
The victim then reported the incident at the Totogo Police Station. As a result, the accused faced charges for obtaining financial advantage by deception and was presented in the Suva Magistrates Court.
This case follows a worrying trend of online scams linked to tech products, echoing previous incidents where individuals were misled into sending money for non-existent items sold over social media. In another case from July 2024, a woman faced court for deceiving a victim who transferred $165 for a similar fraudulent transaction involving an iPhone advertised on Facebook.
The consistent rise in online scams highlights a critical need for public vigilance during online transactions. Authorities are encouraging consumers to thoroughly verify sellers before making any payments, and as investigations continue, it’s hoped that greater awareness and preventive measures will help protect individuals from falling victim to such schemes in the future.
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