The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission confirms that an investigation into the EbayShop Online Recruitment scheme has been ongoing since July, and they have now received complaints.
FCCC says it took steps to uncover as much information as there were no complaints filed earlier.
fijivillage News has been assured by Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica that they are looking into this issue and a statement will be issued soon.
Consumer Council of Fiji CEO, Seema Shandil is calling for FCCC and the Fiji Police Force to launch rigorous investigations into the individuals and organizations behind this fraudulent pyramid scheme.
Shandil confirms that the council has provided the complaints received by them to the Police and FCCC, and have also sent videos of those agents involved in the scheme.
The council’s call for action comes as consumers from all walks of life reel from the financial aftermath of their involvement in EbayShop Online Recruitment, a pyramid scheme that duped them into investing their precious savings, pushing many into the throes of debt and despair.
Whilst consumers ignored the multiple alarms sounded by the council over the course of last few months, Shandil says we must ensure that such schemes do not rear its ugly head in the future – by setting deterrence through enforcement action.
Shandil says the council condemns the unscrupulous individuals and entities responsible for promoting, acting as agents, and administering this fraudulent scheme, often resorting to coercion to recruit innocent victims.
Shandil has expressed her outrage and concern about the situation.
She says the collapse of EbayShop Online Recruitment is a stark reminder of the insidious nature of pyramid schemes and the devastating impact they have on the lives of ordinary consumers.
They urge the enforcement bodies to take swift and decisive action to bring those responsible to justice.
The council also raises a stern reminder to media organizations, who play a crucial role as the cornerstone of public confidence and information dissemination.
Shandil says while the freedom of the press is sacrosanct, it carries an equal responsibility to ensure that information shared with the public is accurate and does not harm or mislead.
She says unfortunately, one media organization, in its Breakfast Show, amplified the deceit by promoting EbayShop Online Recruitment, featuring consumer testimonials, and disseminating information that lent an aura of legitimacy to this illegal scheme.
Despite repeated warnings from the council that EbayShop Online Recruitment was a pyramid scheme, the media organization chose to ignore the facts, possibly causing more Fijians to invest, unwittingly walking into financial ruin.
The Consumer Council of Fiji urges media organizations to exercise utmost diligence and responsibility when disseminating information to the public, particularly in cases where the financial well-being of Fijian consumers is at stake.
If you or someone you know has fallen victim to the EbayShop Online Recruitment pyramid scheme, please contact the Consumer Council of Fiji on the toll-free line 155 or email complaints@consumersfiji.org immediately.
fijivillage News has been raising questions about the scheme with the Consumer Council of Fiji and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission.
We have sent questions to Police as well, and are awaiting their response.
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