The Fiji Police Force’s Mpaisa Taskforce has recently charged two women for engaging in fraudulent activities aimed at obtaining financial benefits through deceitful means.

In the first case, a 23-year-old woman from Rakiraki is accused of unlawfully acquiring $336 from a member of the public via the Mpaisa platform on January 31, 2023. Investigations revealed that she had received the funds, which were mistakenly transferred to her account, and withdrew the money knowing she was not entitled to it. The incident prompted the victim to file a report with the Valelevu Police Station. The accused is currently in police custody and is set to appear in the Sigatoka Magistrate Court today.

In a different incident, a 44-year-old caregiver from Dreketi Feeder Road in Lautoka is facing similar charges for allegedly obtaining $250 from another individual through the Mpaisa platform last January. It has been reported that she created a Facebook account impersonating her husband—a DJ who offers live streaming services—and received payments for services that were never rendered, without her husband’s knowledge. This matter was reported to the Nabua Police Station, and she is similarly detained, expecting to appear in court.

These cases underline the ongoing issues of financial fraud linked to digital transactions and emphasize the risks associated with online financial dealings. The Fiji Police encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, which is essential to protecting individuals from financial exploitation.

In summary, the commitment of the Fiji Police to address fraudulent activities through the Mpaisa platform is a significant step toward ensuring community safety in digital transactions. Such proactive enforcement will hopefully enhance public awareness and reduce the occurrence of fraud in these increasingly digital interactions.