The Fiji Police MPaisa Task Force has charged three individuals in separate cases of allegedly dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception through the mobile money transfer app.
In the first case, a 30-year-old woman from Nawaka has been charged for allegedly obtaining $470 from a member of the public. On August 15, 2023, the victim reportedly received a call via Viber from an unknown number, claiming they had won money and needed to send $500 to secure the winnings. The victim sent $470 from their mobile money transfer account to the number provided by the accused. When the victim tried to contact the accused, there was no response. The matter was reported, and the woman has been charged with one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception. She is scheduled to appear at the Nadi Magistrates Court today.
Another case involves two men, aged 20 and 24, from Narere, who are alleged to have obtained $300 from a member of the public on May 19, 2024. They had reportedly advertised the sale of car accessories on Facebook. After the victim sent the money and was unable to contact the accused, a report was filed. Both men have been charged with Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception and appeared at the Nasinu Magistrates Court today.
The 20-year-old accused is also facing another charge for a separate incident in which he allegedly obtained $250 from another member of the public using similar means. He had posted an advertisement for car accessories on Facebook and failed to deliver the goods after receiving the money transfer from the victim.