More than $1.3 million has been lost through 1,672 reported scam cases across Fiji since 2017, prompting the Fiji Police Force to establish a dedicated Scams Section to strengthen investigations into cyber-enabled crime and fraud.
Speaking at the launch of the Annual National Scams Awareness Week at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva this morning, Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says the specialised unit has been created to deal with all scam-related reports as authorities anticipate a rise in scam activity.
Tudravu says the new section comprises specialised investigators equipped with the digital literacy and forensic expertise needed to track cyber-enabled syndicates.
He warns that while police and financial institutions continue to strengthen their security systems, scammers often succeed because people unknowingly give away sensitive information.
He says scammers exploit human psychology by preying on hope, urgency and vulnerability rather than weaknesses in the law.
Police statistics show that the 1,672 scam reports were lodged at 21 police stations nationwide, with the Western Division recording the highest number of cases, followed by the Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern divisions.
Cases still under investigation in the Western Division alone involve more than $500,000.
Of the total reports received, 338 have progressed to the prosecution stage, while 11 cases have been finalised, including two acquittals after victims failed to appear in court despite being summoned.
Tudravu is urging members of the public to remain vigilant and never share one-time passwords or other sensitive banking information, saying Fiji's strongest defence against scams is a digitally resilient population.
