Two individuals have been charged by the Fiji Police M-Paisa Task Force in connection with two separate cases of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception through the mobile money transfer app.
Police report that the first case involves a 42-year-old woman from Natabua in Lautoka. She allegedly deceived a member of the public out of $200 by sending a fake text message claiming the victim had received that amount. The woman then called the victim, saying the money was sent by mistake and requested it to be sent back. The victim complied, but later realized there had been no such transfer upon checking the balance. The woman withdrew the $200 at a supermarket outlet in Lautoka. She is set to appear at the Lautoka Magistrates Court today.
In the second case, a 32-year-old man from Lautoka is accused of dishonestly obtaining $730 on February 13, 2024. He reportedly sent a message to the victim, posing as a supermarket employee selling goods and asked the victim to select items to purchase. After the victim sent the money, the accused failed to deliver the goods. The man has been charged with one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception and will also appear at the Lautoka Magistrates Court today.