Two men appeared in the Lautoka Magistrates Court yesterday, facing charges of allegedly dishonestly obtaining more than $5,000 through a mobile money transfer app.
The accused, aged 57 and 40, have been charged with one count each of false or misleading documents and six counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
An investigation by the Fiji Police MPaisa task force revealed that on August 12, 2023, the first accused, a 40-year-old, hired the victim’s taxi and introduced himself as a law enforcement officer. He claimed he was selling a taxi permit, which interested the victim as he was only driving for someone else.
Two days later, the 40-year-old contacted the victim to arrange a meeting. Upon arriving at the agreed destination, the two men boarded the victim’s taxi and drove to an internet shop.
The second accused returned with some documents, stating it was an agreement, and requested a payment of $1,130 for the transfer of the taxi permit, which the victim sent via MPaisa.
On several other occasions, money was sent to the accused for various requirements such as the renewal of the taxi permit, fitness and compliance certificates, among other things, amounting to a total sum of $5,797. However, the accused failed to provide the permit as promised.
The duo appeared in the Lautoka Magistrates Court yesterday.