The Fiji Police’s M-PAiSA task force has taken action against two individuals accused of committing financial deception via the popular mobile money transfer app. The suspects, a 29-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman from Davuilevu and Koronivia respectively, allegedly conspired to execute a rental car scam.
According to reports, on September 17, the pair utilized multiple Facebook accounts to advertise rental cars, instructing potential customers to make payments through the M-PAiSA app. A victim from Nadi fell prey to this scheme after sending $190 to the designated mobile number. It was only after the transaction that he attempted to contact the accused and realized he had been scammed. Subsequently, he reported the incident to the Nadi Police Station.
Following the investigation, the two individuals have been charged with one count each of Obtaining Financial Advantage By Deception and Dishonestly Dealing with Personal Financial Information. They are scheduled to appear in the Nasinu Magistrates Court today.
This incident highlights the importance of vigilance when using online platforms for financial transactions, and it serves as a reminder to users to verify the legitimacy of offers and payment methods before proceeding.
In a broader context, the authorities’ swift response in addressing this scam underscores their commitment to protecting citizens from financial fraud, which can foster greater trust in digital payment systems as they become more prevalent in daily transactions.
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