A couple from Labasa has been charged for allegedly deceiving four victims out of a total of $730 through the M-PAiSA platform. The 30-year-old businessman and his 27-year-old wife were arrested by the Fiji Police Force’s M-PAiSA Taskforce on Sunday and are set to appear in Labasa Magistrate Court today.
The couple faces multiple charges, including four counts each of unauthorized access and identity theft, as well as four counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception (OFABD) and a single count related to the proceeds of crime (POC). Police investigations revealed that they contacted prominent individuals and gained unauthorized access to their Viber accounts.
In a cunning ploy, the couple posed as a car dealer from Japan, claiming that the victims’ phone numbers had been mistakenly provided. They also misrepresented themselves as police officers, asserting that the victims’ calls were being monitored and requesting an international phone number which is the Viber activation code. Once they secured access to the victims’ Viber accounts, they solicited funds from individuals in the victims’ contact lists.
The alleged offenses reportedly occurred between September 2023 and December 2024, and the case has been officially reported to the Totogo Police Station. Currently, both suspects remain in police custody.
This incident underscores the importance of digital security and vigilance against deception in online communications. As authorities continue to investigate and bring offenders to justice, it is crucial for the public to remain aware of potential scams and to protect their personal information diligently.
In summary, this unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the rising concern related to online fraud and the need for individuals to be proactive in safeguarding their digital identities.
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