Two additional individuals are facing charges from the Fiji Police MPaisa Task Force for allegedly acquiring financial benefits through deception.
In the first incident, a 35-year-old woman from Namara, Labasa, is accused of fraudulently obtaining $320 from a member of the public via the Mpaisa platform on March 16, 2024. Investigations revealed that the victim transferred the money under the impression it was for a family friend who had requested it. Upon contacting the family friend, the victim learned that no such request had been made, prompting her to report the matter to the police.
In a separate case, a 20-year-old man from Nabekavu in Labasa has been charged with one count of financial deception for allegedly dishonestly obtaining $200. It is claimed that on May 15, 2024, the victim sent this amount to a phone number listed in a Facebook advertisement for a sale. The accused reportedly withdrew the funds and subsequently ceased communication with the victim.
Both individuals are scheduled to appear in the Labasa Magistrates Court today.