The Consumer Council of Fiji is working alongside the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) to craft new legislation designed to strengthen consumer protection against fraudulent activities and deceptive schemes. This initiative was highlighted during a recent parliamentary debate focused on the Consolidated Review Report concerning the Consumer Council’s annual reports for the years 2019-2020, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023.
Esrom Immanuel, the Minister for Finance, Commerce, and Business Development, stressed that the forthcoming legislation will lay down a comprehensive legal structure for identifying, reporting, and penalizing scams, aimed at boosting consumer confidence and safety. Currently, the Consumer Council functions as the secretariat for the Anti-Scam Task Force, spearheaded by the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development.
In his remarks, Minister Immanuel referred to the recent success of the Anti-Scam Awareness Week held from October 6-7, which targeted educating the public on the threats posed by scammers. Member of Parliament Manoa Kamikamica acknowledged the government’s dedication to increasing scam vigilance, noting that before the current administration, there was minimal awareness or action related to scam issues.
Kamikamica reflected on the emergence of the e-Bay scam that prompted a collaborative approach between the Consumer Council and various ministries to foster a more proactive strategy in combating scam activities. This initiative involves several agencies, including the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the police, coming together to form a united front against fraud.
Despite the existing efforts, there are still apprehensions regarding the inadequacy of current laws to effectively address scam-related challenges. Kamikamica remains hopeful that new legislative proposals will empower relevant agencies to take decisive actions to prevent scams from taking root in the community.
This collective initiative underscores the Fijian government’s proactive approach in tackling scams, aiming to create a safer marketplace for consumers. Through collaboration and the development of enhanced legislation, there is a positive outlook that Fiji will significantly upgrade its consumer protection measures, ultimately safeguarding its citizens from fraudulent schemes.