113 scam complaints highlight growing threat to Fijian consumers, financial losses exceeding $82,000

113 scam-related complaints were received by the Consumer Council of Fiji between September 2024 and September 2025, with consumers reporting financial losses exceeding $82,000. The Consumer Council says despite ongoing warnings and nationwide awareness campaigns, scammers continue to develop increasingly sophisticated tactics to target unsuspecting individuals.

The Council says that before the widely publicized eBay scam, which cost consumers thousands of dollars, there were already cases involving fraudulent and informal lending schemes.

Since then, the Council says the scammers have quickly adapted, introducing a range of new scams including multi-level marketing schemes, fraudulent investments, astrology and fortune-telling rackets, impersonation fraud, phishing messages, and mobile money scams, with many of these schemes falsely promising easy money from home and misleading consumers.

The Council says the impact of these scams extends beyond financial loss, as victims frequently experience emotional distress, strained family relationships, and a growing mistrust of essential digital services.

Young people and those active online remain vulnerable to these deceptive offers.

The Council is urging consumers to verify the legitimacy of sellers and schemes before making payments, report suspicious activity immediately, and share awareness with families and communities.