Five additional individuals have been charged by the Fiji Police Mpaisa Task Force for committing fraud to secure financial benefits.
In one incident, it is reported that on July 28, 2023, a member of the public entrusted $200 to a 32-year-old woman from Tavakubu, Lautoka. The accused allegedly facilitated the transfer without the victim’s consent and subsequently received the money from another accused individual who has already been charged and appeared in court. It is claimed that she charged her MasterCard with the $200.
In a separate case, a 20-year-old resident of Waiyavi, Lautoka, reportedly deceived a member of the public out of $327 on March 4, 2023. The victim provided the accused with the funds to purchase six bags of chicken advertised on Facebook, but the accused is said to have failed to deliver the items and withdrew the funds instead.
Additionally, a 50-year-old Lautoka resident and the same 20-year-old are alleged to be involved in a similar scheme, deceiving a member of the public out of $820 in March 2023 for six bags of chicken that were promoted on Facebook. It is alleged that they did not deliver the products and took the money.
In another case, a 24-year-old man is accused of receiving $200 for an item advertised on Facebook but subsequently ceased communication with the victim after the payment was made.
The most recent allegation involves a 33-year-old man who, in April 2024, allegedly received a $190 deposit for timber advertised on Facebook.
All five accused individuals are scheduled to appear in the Lautoka Magistrates Court today.
The Fiji Police Force is advising online shoppers to verify all transactions and, whenever possible, inspect products in person before agreeing to any financial transactions. They recommend asking a friend or family member to check the products if they are located in a different area.
A brief call to the retailer can help confirm the legitimacy of those claiming to be representatives of well-known brands, particularly as some may be offering bulk items at a discount.
Taking necessary precautions before transferring money can help avoid falling victim to online scams.