A 24-year-old self-employed individual from Ikadroka Place, Valelevu, has been charged by the Fiji Police Force with two counts of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception. The allegations suggest that between August 16 and August 24 last year, the accused deceitfully acquired a total of $689 through a mobile money transfer platform on two separate occasions.
According to police investigations, the suspect is accused of using a fraudulent social media account to promote and sell two video gaming consoles. Victims reported that they transferred money electronically for these items; however, the gaming systems were never delivered, and all communication ceased following the completion of the payment.
The situation was subsequently reported to the Totogo Police Station, which prompted the authorities to arrest and formally charge the individual. The accused is slated to appear in front of the Suva Magistrates Court today at 2:30 PM.
This incident highlights the increasing prevalence of online scams and the importance of due diligence when making electronic transactions. As digital interactions grow, victims should remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help combat fraud.