Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica has announced that the Consumer Council of Fiji has recorded over 1,700 complaints related to scams since 2019, amounting to more than $3 million in losses.
During a speech in Parliament, Kamikamica revealed that both the Consumer Council and the Fiji Police Force have indicated that approximately $3 million has been lost to scams linked to eBay. He expressed concern that the actual number of victims could be much higher and mentioned that they are awaiting a report from the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Financial Intelligence Unit to accurately assess the full extent of the scam’s impact on the nation.
Kamikamica discussed the various types of scams affecting citizens, including online scams that utilize phishing emails and text messages, as well as fraudsters impersonating business leaders to trick individuals into transferring funds through mobile wallets. He pointed out a rising trend in investment scams, where con artists offer legitimate and fictitious products or schemes to individuals seeking quick wealth.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the eBay recruitment scam, one of the most significant in Fiji’s history, has had a severe impact on many people and has drawn national concern regarding this escalating problem. He emphasized that the scammers exploit the trust and aspirations of victims, often leaving them financially devastated and disillusioned.
In response to this crisis, Kamikamica stated that the Government has proactively established the Anti-Scam Taskforce. This initiative is designed to address the growing issue of fraud through improved scam detection, strengthening institutional responses, and implementing targeted awareness campaigns with various partners.
He also suggested the necessity of creating a dedicated scam agency to keep pace with the evolving landscape of scams in Fiji. Kamikamica reiterated that a comprehensive strategy is vital to effectively combat the increasing occurrence of scams in the country.