Escaped M-PAiSA scam suspect recaptured

The $8,900 M-PAiSA scam suspect who escaped from police custody on Monday morning has been recaptured and will be transported to Suva.

Assistant Commissioner of Police - Operations Livai Driu had earlier confirmed the 36-year-old was taken to the hospital after 1am on Monday after he fell ill, and while getting his treatment, had escaped.

Police say the 36-year-old mechanic from Viseisei, Lautoka was arrested in Nadi this morning following a tip off.

ACP Driu has acknowledged the support from the members of the public.

He says the man will be processed but investigations on whoever assisted him and harbored him for the past two days will take place.

ACP Driu says it is illegal for anyone to harbor someone who is wanted by law enforcement and responsible people will be taken to task.

Police had earlier said the manager of a supermarket based in Nabua lodged a report at the Nabua Police Station claiming that they were scammed by a caller who identified himself to be a Senior Manager of Vodafone.

The suspect told the Manager that he was calling to upgrade the E-ticketing machine and needed the balance left in the machine to be transferred in order to facilitate the upgrade.

Police say more than $8,900 was transferred, and once the transaction was complete, the suspect said he would call after 15 minutes, which never eventuated.

They say investigators managed to track down the number and arrested the suspect who was taken into custody.

Another couple residing in Makoi were also taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the same scam and were being questioned at the Nabua Police Station.

Police say during the course of the investigation and based on the alleged modus operandi, there is a likelihood that the suspect is linked to similar reports lodged at the Valelevu, Nausori, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi Border and Namaka Police Stations.