A 45-year-old man from Namadi Heights has been charged with 67 counts of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception and one count of Possession of Property Suspected of being Proceeds of Crime. The charges result from a thorough investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department’s Major Fraud Unit, Anti-Money Laundering Unit, and Cyber Crime Task Force.
The investigation revealed that between January 2020 and January 2023, the accused allegedly deceived a victim out of more than $57,000 through online banking and mobile money transfer facilitated by fake land sales. The victim had been making payments to the accused for land plots that, unbeknownst to him, did not belong to the accused.
Additionally, the charges include possession of property believed to be proceeds of crime, as it is alleged that the accused used the defrauded funds to purchase various properties. As the legal proceedings unfold, the accused is scheduled to appear before the Suva Magistrates Court later today.
This case mirrors similar incidents in the region, particularly highlighting the importance of being vigilant in online transactions. There have been multiple instances reported, such as other charges against individuals involved in similar fraud schemes, which emphasize the critical need for potential buyers to conduct thorough due diligence when engaging with sellers online.
Community awareness regarding these issues can help prevent further fraud cases and educate the public about the risks associated with online transactions, ultimately fostering a more secure environment for financial dealings.
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