The Fiji Police M-PAiSA task force has taken action against two individuals for allegedly committing fraud through the mobile money transfer application. The suspects, a 29-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, are accused of collaborating to execute a scam related to rental cars.
On September 17, the pair reportedly used several Facebook accounts to advertise cars for rent, instructing potential customers to make payments via the M-PAiSA app. A victim from Nadi responded to the advertisement, sending $190 to the designated mobile number. After making the payment, the victim attempted to contact the alleged scammers but soon realized he had been deceived and promptly reported the incident to the Nadi Police Station.
Both suspects have been charged with obtaining financial advantage through deception and dishonestly dealing with personal financial information. They are scheduled to appear in the Nasinu Magistrates Court today.
This case highlights the increasing vigilance of law enforcement in combating online scams, particularly those exploiting popular financial tools. Victims are encouraged to report such incidents, contributing to a safer community and helping authorities to track down and prosecute offenders.
As the public becomes more aware of such fraudulent activities, this serves as a reminder to use caution and verify the authenticity of transactions conducted through social media platforms.