Authorities are investigating allegations that some foreign women are entering Fiji as tourists and allegedly working in massage parlours, amid concerns about possible visa breaches and organised criminal activity.
The claims, raised through an anonymous tip to fijivillage News, suggest that some foreign nationals are entering the country on tourist visas before allegedly engaging in unauthorised employment.
The Fiji Police Force have confirmed that intelligence reports linked to the allegations have been received and are currently under assessment.
However, they stressed that the information remains unverified, and that further evidence is required before any enforcement action can be taken.
Police say they are working in coordination with the Department of Immigration to determine whether any visa conditions have been breached and whether any criminal offences have occurred.
While confirming awareness of the allegations, they say enforcement action depends on evidence being established.
They also note that the Department of Immigration leads on identifying and addressing visa breaches, while police will intervene where there is evidence of criminal activity.
They say there is also cooperation between the Transnational Crime Unit, immigration authorities and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service in monitoring potential breaches involving foreign nationals.
They have also confirmed that intelligence reports relating to possible organised prostitution and human trafficking have been received, but emphasised that these remain at an early stage of assessment.
When asked whether investigations were targeting specific massage parlours, Police say any alleged breaches would be pursued by immigration authorities, with police involvement dependent on confirmed criminal conduct.
They also confirmed there is no current evidence linking foreign fishing vessel crews to the allegations raised in the tip.
They further state that while Fiji remains open to tourists, any misuse of visa conditions must be identified and proven before action can be taken.
However, they confirmed that there have been previous arrests, deportations and charges linked to prostitution and human trafficking offences in Fiji.
They add that Fiji maintains a dedicated Human Trafficking Unit tasked with responding to cases involving human trafficking and child exploitation, and works closely with regional and international partners including Interpol and the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre.
When asked is Fiji being used as a transit point for individuals who are allegedly moving to other countries through these operations, Police say Fiji’s geographic position in the Pacific makes it a transit hub, but says agencies continue to collaborate across borders to monitor and respond to potential transnational crime threats.
Investigations into the current allegations remain ongoing.
