A 39-year-old man is set to appear in the Labasa Magistrates Court today, facing charges related to obtaining financial advantage by deception. The man is accused of dishonestly acquiring $112.31 from a victim.
According to the investigation, the incident unfolded when the victim received a call stating that a number had been mistakenly sent to her. Believing this claim, she provided her one-time password (OTP). Shortly thereafter, she received a notification indicating that $112.31 had been transferred to an unknown account. The funds were subsequently moved through various accounts before ending up in the accused’s account.
This case draws a parallel to a similar incident involving a 35-year-old man who faces comparable charges of fraudulently obtaining over $300 using a mobile money transfer application. In that case, on August 14, 2023, the accused misled the victim into sharing her OTP by claiming he had sent it by mistake, resulting in a successful transfer from her account.
The Fiji Police’s M-PAiSA Task Force continues to address these types of scams, emphasizing the need for public awareness about the dangers of sharing sensitive information like OTPs. It’s crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with unsolicited communications, as scammers often exploit trust to gain financial advantage.
This current case serves as a reminder to the public about the importance of safeguarding personal information and being suspicious of unexpected calls or messages requesting sensitive details. As authorities work to combat such fraudulent activities, there is hope that increased awareness may help prevent future incidents.
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