Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica, revealed that the Consumer Council of Fiji has logged over 1,700 scam-related complaints since 2019, amounting to more than $3 million in losses. During a parliamentary session, he mentioned both the Consumer Council and the Fiji Police Force reporting that eBay scams are responsible for approximately $3 million in losses.
Kamikamica stated that the actual numbers may be significantly higher, as they await a report from the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Financial Intelligence Unit to fully quantify the scam’s impact on the nation, hinting that the estimates could be alarming.
He outlined various types of scams and fraudulent activities, including online scams that use phishing methods through emails and texts, and impersonations of business leaders to trick people into transferring funds via mobile wallets. Investment scams have also surged, with con artists presenting both real and fictitious products to lure in investors eager for quick wealth.
Highlighting the eBay shop online recruitment scam, which is one of the most substantial in Fiji’s history, Kamikamica noted its catastrophic effect on the populace and its role in drawing national awareness to the escalating threat of scams. He emphasized that scam perpetrators exploit the trust and aspirations of individuals, leaving them both financially devastated and profoundly disappointed.
In response to this growing menace, Kamikamica announced that the government has formed an Anti-Scam Taskforce. He described this multi-agency initiative as a collective effort to address the rising issue of fraud through improved surveillance, strengthened institutional responses, and targeted awareness campaigns that involve a variety of stakeholders.
Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of a dedicated scam agency to better manage the evolving situation, underlining the necessity for a comprehensive strategy to effectively combat the increasing incidence of scams in Fiji.