422 complaints with a total value of $666,111.75 have been received regarding the EbayShop scam by the Consumer Council of Fiji so far.
Council CEO, Seema Shandil acknowledges the seriousness of this situation and anticipates a continued influx of complaints from affected consumers.
Shandil reaffirms the council's commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and urges affected individuals to come forward with their complaints.
She states that as the number of complaints continue to rise, it is vital for consumers to share their experiences with the Council.
Shandil says these complaints serve as essential pieces of the puzzle that will help them better understand the full extent of the problem and work towards finding solutions.
Shandil further revealed one heart-wrenching case that has come to their attention which involves a man suffering from a life-threatening illness who invested his hard-earned savings, only to lose them in this scheme.
She says his savings were meant to cover the cost of life-saving treatment, and his situation highlights the ruthless nature of these scams and the profound impact they have on the lives of innocent victims.
They have encountered numerous cases where members of the same families have drained their personal savings based on hearsay information, underlining the devastating ripple effect of this fraudulent activity.
The council also highlights its ongoing collaboration with the Multi-Interagency Taskforce chaired by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs, and Communications, to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to this issue.
Consumers who have fallen victim to the EbayShop Online Scam are strongly encouraged to contact the council immediately through the national consumer helpline at 155 or via email at complaints@consumersfiji
