Five men have been charged by the Fiji Police MPaisa Task Force for separate cases relating to allegedly obtaining money by deception in Labasa, Ba and Nadi.
A 32-year-old man from Bulileka in Labasa is alleged to obtained $230 from the victim after sending a Viber message purporting to be from a close friend on the 15th of March 2024.
In the second case, a 26-year-old man from Siberia in Labasa is alleged to have obtained $80 from the victim who had sent the money for goods on sale posted on Facebook on the 15th of March.
Police say the accused withdrew the money and failed to deliver the goods.
Both men will appear in the Labasa Magistrates Court today.
A 27-year-old man residing in Rarawai, Ba is alleged to obtain $2,847 from the victim via an online scam.
Police say 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 he then reported the matter to the Police.
The man will appear in the Ba Magistrates Court today.
A 37-year-old man residing in Tauvegavega is alleged to have dishonestly obtained $170 from the victim for a taxi permit on the 7th of February last year.
Police say the investigation revealed that the victim had received a call regarding the approval of his taxi permit application whereby the said amount was sent.
Meanwhile, a 49-year -old man residing in Navo, Nadi is alleged to have obtained $286 from a victim on the 23rd of March 2021.
The accused and a friend had allegedly told the victim they could secure employment and asked that the said amount be sent.
Police say after receiving the money, the accused cut off all communication and the matter was then reported at the Labasa Police Station.
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