Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica revealed that the Consumer Council of Fiji has recorded over 1,700 scams and complaints since 2019, amounting to more than $3 million in losses. During a parliamentary session, Kamikamica indicated that both the Consumer Council and the Fiji Police Force confirmed that approximately $3 million was lost due to eBay scams.
Kamikamica expressed concern that the actual figures might be significantly higher and mentioned that they are awaiting a report from the Reserve Bank of Fiji, through the Financial Intelligence Unit, to better understand the full impact of these scams in Fiji, suggesting that estimates could be alarming.
He outlined various types of scams, including online fraud involving phishing emails and text messages, as well as impersonation of business leaders, which facilitate money transfers through mobile wallets. Investment scams have also become prevalent, where fraudsters sell both legitimate and fictitious products or ideas to vulnerable investors hoping for quick riches.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that the eBay shop online recruitment scam stands out as one of the largest in Fiji’s history, causing significant harm to individuals and drawing national attention to the escalating issue. He noted that these criminals exploit individuals’ trust and aspirations, leading to financial ruin and a deep sense of disillusionment.
In response to the growing threat, Kamikamica announced that the Government has launched the Anti-Scam Taskforce. This initiative, which involves multiple agencies, aims to combat fraud through improved scam monitoring, enhanced institutional frameworks, and focused awareness campaigns with various stakeholders.
He emphasized the necessity of establishing a dedicated scam agency to address the evolving challenges effectively and highlighted the importance of a comprehensive strategy to combat the increasing trend of scams in Fiji.