Scammers are constantly adapting their methods to keep up with global trends. This warning came from Shaheen Ali, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, at the start of the inaugural National Scam Awareness Week.
Mr. Ali highlighted the unfortunate reality of scams becoming a common occurrence in today’s digital landscape. He detailed several prevalent scams in Fiji, including impersonation schemes, fraudulent job offers, and romance scams, which are often fueled by misleading information on social media.
“The National Scam Awareness Week serves as an essential platform to educate not just young adults but also future generations on how to recognize and protect themselves from scams,” he stated.
To enhance outreach, the campaign will utilize various media channels, including billboards and social media, to increase public awareness.
In related remarks, Seema Shandil, the CEO of the Consumer Council of Fiji, pointed out a troubling trend: a lack of consumer engagement during their outreach programs. Yet, there is a spike in service demands following incidents of scams.
“Despite our repeated warnings about potential scams and our guidance on how to recognize them, many consumers remain indifferent,” Ms. Shandil noted. She expressed concern that extensive awareness campaigns, both online and at the grassroots level, are often overlooked by the public.
This negligence frequently leads to individuals seeking help only after they have fallen victim to scams. Last year, the eBay Online Shop recruitment scam affected 900 Fijians, resulting in complaints totaling $1.7 million.
“The damage inflicted by these scams is just the start of a much larger issue,” Ms. Shandil remarked.
On a global scale, online fraud continues to rise, with phishing emails and other deceptive tactics targeting both individuals and businesses.
The Anti-Scam Taskforce aims to improve coordination among agencies, raise awareness, and promote protective measures through initiatives like Scam Awareness Week. The taskforce seeks to enhance public knowledge and implement collaborative educational campaigns while advocating for stricter laws and regulations.