Charged for Scam

The Fiji Police Mpaisa Task Force has charged another five people in relation to cases of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

In the first case, a 32-year old woman from Tavakubu in Lautoka is alleged to have obtained $200 on the 28th day of July 2023 from a member of the public.

The accused is alleged to have received the money from a second accused who has already been charged and produced in court, after facilitating the transfer without the victim’s knowledge.

The accused allegedly used the $200 for her Master Card. In the second case, a 20-year-old residing in Waiyavi in Lautoka is alleged to have on the 4th day of March 2023, dishonestly obtained $327 from a member of the public.

The Police investigation revealed that the victim had transferred the said money to the accused for the purchase of six bags of chicken which was advertised on Facebook. It is alleged that the accused withdrew the money and failed to provide the goods.

The same 20 year old is alleged to be involved in a similar scam with a 50-year-old man also from Lautoka. During the month of March 2023, the two allegedly dishonestly obtained $820 from a member of the public for payments of 6 bags of chicken which was advertised on Facebook.

The two allegedly withdrew the money and failed to deliver the goods. In another case, a 24-year-old man is alleged to have obtained $200 from a member of the public for an item advertised on Facebook.

After receiving the money, the accused cut all communication with the victim. In the last case, a 33-year-old man is alleged to have obtained $190 during the month of April 2024, deposit for timber that was advertised online through Facebook.

All five accused persons will be produced at the Lautoka MagistratesCourt today. The Fiji Police Force is urging online users to verify all sales and where possible, personally check items and goods before committing to the exchange of money.

If the items are in another division, request a friend or relative to check on your behalf. Those purporting to be sales agents of known companies, can always be verified through a quick call to the outlet, as some are operating in this manner by offering bulk goods at a discounted price.

It is prudent to conduct all necessary checks before the transfer of money is facilitated, to avoid becoming a victim of an online scam.