The Fiji Police Force is alerting the public to a scam involving an individual impersonating Commissioner Rusiate Tuidravu, spreading fraudulent messages on Viber from the number +679 836 9719. These messages solicit financial assistance under the guise of funding small-scale projects. The Police have confirmed the messages are fake, urging recipients to disregard and block communications from this number.
The Criminal Investigations Department is actively investigating the origins of these fraudulent messages and working to identify the scammer. Authorities emphasize that this scam is part of a broader trend of digital fraud, advising people not to share personal or financial information with anyone claiming to represent a government entity or other organizations online.
In recent months, there have been multiple reports of similar scams across Fiji, underscoring a need for increased vigilance. These scams often involve impostors posing as officials or other authoritative figures, aiming to extract personal data or money. Previous advisory from the Fiji Online Safety Commission and the Police highlights the prevalence of these deceptive tactics, which leverage technology to concoct believable narratives to lure victims.
To protect themselves, the public is encouraged to verify the legitimacy of messages claiming to require personal or financial action and to report suspicious communications to local police. The emphasis remains on public education about these scams, which contributes to greater community resilience against fraud. By staying informed and sharing insights on common tactics used by scammers, Fijians can collectively work towards a safer online environment.