The Fiji Police MPaisa Task Force is set to present two men and two women in the Labasa Magistrates Court, facing charges of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception.
In one case, two males, aged 27 and 45, are accused of collaborating to swindle a victim out of $790 by hacking the Viber account of the victim’s friend on August 18, 2023. The victim, believing he was helping a friend in urgent need, sent the requested funds without knowing the account had been compromised. The younger man received the payment, distributing $310 to the older suspect while keeping $480 for himself. The scam was uncovered when the victim contacted his friend and learned that no money had been requested.
In another incident on March 1, 2023, a 29-year-old woman allegedly deceived a victim into transferring $548, with the victim unaware of the unauthorized transaction. Upon discovering the issue, the victim promptly reported it to the Nakasi Police Station.
Additionally, a 43-year-old woman is accused of taking advantage of a victim on December 23 by obtaining their personal information and One Time Pin under the pretense of an investment opportunity, subsequently withdrawing $40 using that information.
Each of the four defendants faces a single charge of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception. The Fiji Police Force is reiterating its warning to the public to refrain from sharing personal information, passwords, or PINs with anyone soliciting them over the phone or through messages.