A 30-year-old man from Davuilevu Housing is facing fresh legal troubles as he is back in custody, accused by the Fiji Police Force Cyber Crime team of scamming additional victims via fraudulent online rental car advertisements. The individual has been charged with two counts of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception, alongside two counts of Possession of Property Suspected to be Proceeds of Crime. These charges relate to incidents involving a Facebook page called “Elite Rental Cars.”
On February 11, 2023, the man allegedly defrauded a victim of $300 after promising rental services that were never fulfilled. Another victim reported losing $160 under similar circumstances, also connected to the fraudulent page. In both instances, the accused reportedly utilized an online money transfer service to collect payment. He remains in police custody and is set to appear in Suva Magistrates Court today at 2:30 PM.
This latest case marks the second wave of charges against the accused, who is already facing allegations linked to a previous scam involving a fake rental car service on social media. This pattern of fraud highlights the rising issues surrounding online scams in Fiji, particularly related to rental services.
Reflecting on this troubling trend, law enforcement’s proactive steps against such financial crimes signify a commitment to safeguarding the public from deceptive practices. The authorities’ efforts underscore the importance of consumer vigilance in the face of ongoing fraudulent activities, as individuals continue to lose money to scams that exploit digital platforms. Through increased awareness and reporting, it is hoped that more robust preventive measures can be developed to protect future victims.
Leave a comment