Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica has reported that the Consumer Council of Fiji has logged over 1,700 complaints concerning scams since 2019, totaling more than $3 million in losses. Speaking in Parliament, Kamikamica noted that both the Consumer Council and the Fiji Police Force have indicated that approximately $3 million has been lost to scams associated with eBay.
Kamikamica believes that the actual figures may be significantly higher, and the government is currently awaiting a report from the Reserve Bank of Fiji, through the Financial Intelligence Unit, to assess the full impact of these scams. He stated that preliminary estimates are quite alarming.
The Deputy Prime Minister detailed various types of scams and fraudulent activities, including online scams that often use phishing emails and messages, as well as impersonation of respected business figures to facilitate unauthorized fund transfers via mobile wallets. He mentioned a growing trend in investment scams, where fraudsters offer both legitimate and fictitious products or ideas to investors seeking quick wealth.
One of the most significant scams in Fiji’s history has been the eBay shop online recruitment scam, which has had severe repercussions for individuals and attracted national interest due to its scale. Kamikamica emphasized that these offenders exploit the trust and aspirations of their victims, leaving many financially devastated and disillusioned.
In response, the government has established the Anti-Scam Taskforce, a multi-agency initiative aimed at combatting the rising issue of fraud. This task force will focus on enhancing scam surveillance, strengthening institutional frameworks, and implementing targeted awareness campaigns that involve various stakeholders.
Kamikamica highlighted the need for a dedicated scam agency to effectively address the evolving landscape of scams in Fiji, stressing that a comprehensive approach is vital to confront the increasing threat.