A fine and compensation of $27,800 has been secured by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, successfully prosecuting traders for serious breaches of the FCCC Act 2010.
FCCC Chief Executive Officer, Senikavika Jiuta says the cases involved fraudulent work visa schemes, non-delivery of goods, and the sale of price-controlled items above the maximum authorized prices.
Jiuta says FCCC welcomed the court decisions and urged consumers to remain vigilant.
She says consumers must be vigilant and carefully assess the legitimacy of offers, particularly those promising overseas employment, and beware of excessive pricing, or non-delivery of goods and services.
The CEO also highlighted that in the most significant case, a trader was prosecuted in four separate matters for falsely representing their ability to secure Australian work visas without the necessary authorization or license.
She adds the court imposed a total of $7,000 in fines and $15,800 in compensation to be paid to affected complainants.
In another case, the Nasinu Magistrates’ Court imposed a $2,000 fine on a trader who sold Punjas and FMF Breakfast Crackers at prices above the regulated prices authorised by FCCC.
A third trader was fined $1,000 and ordered by the Nausori Magistrates’ Court to pay $2,000 in restitution after accepting a $3,000 deposit for a Toyota Alphard and failing to deliver the vehicle within a reasonable time frame.
FCCC says they remain committed to ensuring that consumers are protected from unfair business practices, and businesses operate within fair and ethical standards.
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