Scammers are exploiting romance to defraud elderly and retired women out of their savings. During the National Scam Awareness Week event at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Acting Director of Economic Crime Reshmi Dass disclosed that nearly ten cases are currently before the courts, including one where a woman lost approximately $500,000 due to a fraudulent romance scheme.
Dass noted that the scammers lured women aged 60 to 70 into sending nude photographs, subsequently threatening to release them on social media if they did not comply with demands for money. “We have received complaints from retired ladies who shared their nude pictures with individuals they thought they were communicating with,” she remarked.
To manipulate their victims, the perpetrators would claim that if the women refused to pay, they would expose them online, damaging their reputations. Similar cases related to these romance scams are also under judicial review.
The perpetrator in question, described as a young male operating under a false identity overseas, communicated with the victims using a WhatsApp number. Through flattery and charm, he managed to convince one woman to send him $500,000. Once she discovered he was local and had targeted multiple women, she reported the fraud.
Ms. Dass urged women to be cautious with their personal information on social media. “Please refrain from sharing personal details or photos with strangers online,” she advised. “If you receive a message from someone you don’t know, do not divulge any personal information or images, as this could lead to similar fraud cases.”
There are currently eight or nine cases against this man pending in court.