Five individuals have been charged by the Fiji Police Mpaisa Task Force for engaging in fraudulent activities to gain financial benefits.
In one incident, a 32-year-old woman from Tavakubu in Lautoka allegedly misled a member of the public into giving her $200 on July 28, 2023. It is reported that she facilitated the transfer without the victim’s knowledge and subsequently received the money from a previously charged accomplice.
In another case, a 20-year-old resident from Waiyavi, Lautoka, reportedly deceived a victim out of $327 on March 4, 2023, by claiming he would purchase six bags of chicken advertised on Facebook. The individual failed to deliver the promised goods and instead pocketed the funds.
Additionally, a 50-year-old Lautoka man and the same 20-year-old are accused of executing a similar scam, taking $820 from another victim in March 2023 under the guise of delivering six bags of chicken.
In a separate incident, a 24-year-old man allegedly obtained $200 from a public member for an item listed on Facebook, only to cease all communication after payment was made.
The latest case involves a 33-year-old man who reportedly accepted a $190 deposit in April 2024 for timber advertised on Facebook, but did not fulfill the order.
All five suspects are set to appear in the Lautoka Magistrates Court today.
The Fiji Police Force is advising online shoppers to verify all transactions and, when possible, to inspect items in person prior to making any payments. They suggest consulting a friend or family member to check on products located in different areas and recommend contacting sellers to confirm the authenticity of those claiming to represent reputable brands, especially when bulk goods are offered at discount rates.
To avoid falling victim to online scams, it is crucial to conduct thorough checks before making any money transfers.