Five charged for scam

Five men have been charged by the Fiji Police MPaisa Task Force for separate cases of allegedly obtaining money by deception, in Labasa, Ba and Nadi.

The first accused, a 32-year-old man from Bulileka in Labasa, is alleged to have on the 15th day of March 2024, obtained $230 from the victim after sending a Viber message purporting to be from a close friend.

The accused had hacked the friend’s viber account and sent a message requesting the money for urgent needs. 

When the matter was discovered as an alleged scam, the victim lodged a report.

In the second case, a 26-year old man from Siberia in Labasa is alleged to have on the 15th day of March 2024 obtained $80 from the victim who had sent the money for goods on sale posted on Facebook by the accused.

The accused withdrew the money and failed to deliver the goods.

Both men will be produced at the Labasa Magistrates Court today.

Another two men will be produced at the Ba Magistrates Court today, charged with similar offences.

A 27-year-old man residing in Rarawai, Ba is alleged to have during the month of December 2023, obtained $2,847 from the victim via an online scam.

The victim had allegedly clicked on an investment link on Facebook, where it stated he had to deposit the said amount to the numbers and bank accounts provided, which belonged to the accused.

The victim did so on two occasions thinking it was an investment opportunity, however when he failed to receive any feedback, the matter was reported to Police.

The accused will be produced at the Ba Magistrates Court today.

In the second case in Ba, a 37 year old man residing in Tauvegavega is alleged to have on the 7th day of February 2023, dishonestly obtained $170 from the victim for a taxi permit.

The investigation revealed that the victim had received a call regarding the approval of his taxi permit application, whereby the said amount was sent.

When the victim failed to receive any word on his permit, the matter was reported to Police.

In the fifth case, a 49 year old man residing in Navo in Nadi is alleged to have on the 23rd of March 2021, obtained $286 from the victim.

The accused and a friend had allegedly told the victim they could secure employment and asked that the said amount be sent.

After receiving the money, the accused cut off all communication and the matter was then reported at the Labasa Police Station.

All five men have been charged with one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception.