Two individuals are scheduled to appear in the Sigatoka Magistrates Court today facing charges related to separate cases of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception and possession of property suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
The first accused is a 25-year-old man from Nadi, who is under investigation for two distinct cases. In the initial incident, he allegedly deceived a victim in August 2023, obtaining $3,000 by marketing a non-existent investment opportunity on Facebook. The victim realized it was a scam when promised returns failed to materialize, prompting her to report the case to the Tavua Police Station. The Fiji Police Cyber Task Force has charged him with one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception, as well as one count of Possession of Property Suspected to be Proceed of Crime.
In the second case, the same accused is alleged to have obtained $1,000 from another victim through similar deceptive practices in April 2023. After the victim was unable to reach him despite repeated attempts, the case was reported to the Nasinu Police Station, leading to additional charges for Obtaining Financial Advantage and Possession of Property Suspected to be Proceed of Crime.
Additionally, a 24-year-old woman from Lautoka is facing similar charges. She allegedly received $200 from a victim in November 2022, promising to deliver a taxi permit in exchange for the payment. After the victim’s attempts to contact her went unanswered, they reported the matter to the Lautoka Police Station.
These cases reflect a worrying trend of financial scams where perpetrators exploit victims through social media and deceptive promises. Similar incidents have been reported recently in Sigatoka and Labasa, where individuals were charged with obtaining financial advantages through deception, often targeting unsuspecting victims with fraudulent investment opportunities.
It is hopeful to see law enforcement agencies ramping up efforts to tackle such scams, emphasizing the importance of reporting fraudulent activities promptly to safeguard the community against these deceptive practices. Raising awareness about online scams is essential, empowering potential victims with the knowledge to recognize red flags and avoid falling prey to such schemes.
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