Two men have appeared in the Lautoka Magistrates Court, facing charges related to allegedly dishonestly obtaining more than $5,000 through a mobile money transfer app.
The accused, aged 57 and 40, have each been charged with one count of false or misleading documents and six counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
An investigation by the Fiji Police MPaisa task force revealed that on August 12, 2023, the first accused, the 40-year-old, hired the victim’s taxi. Introducing himself as a law enforcement officer, he claimed to be selling a taxi permit, which caught the interest of the victim, who was eager to own a permit as he was driving for someone else.
Two days later, the 40-year-old arranged a meeting with the victim. Upon reaching the agreed location, both men boarded the victim’s taxi and headed to an internet shop.
The second accused returned with documents, claiming they were an agreement, and asked for a payment of $1,130 for the taxi permit transfer, which the victim sent via MPaisa.
Subsequent transactions occurred where the victim sent additional money for various requirements such as the renewal of the taxi permit and fees for fitness and compliance certificates, amounting to a total of $5,797. However, the accused failed to provide the promised taxi permit.
The duo was produced in the Lautoka Magistrates Court yesterday.