The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has confirmed that an investigation is underway into an alleged scam in the Help for Homes scheme.

The scheme was a Government initiative to help people whose homes were destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Winston rebuild.

It is alleged that a man posed as a lawyer and convinced over 20 villagers from one village in Taveuni  to hand over their cards to him so he would arrange a quick delivery of their building materials from Suva.

The Government initiative gives severe Tropical Cyclone Winston victims cards which they use to  buy building materials from hardware firms.

It is understood that villagers willingly gave their MPaisa cards, identification cards and PINs to the so-called lawyer in April last year. A widow who wished to remain anonymous said she had yet to receive her building materials.

“So far, frames of only three homes have been built. There is no roof, walls or flooring.

“We are tired of waiting. I have five children and to have this (alleged scam) happen to us is disheartening.

“We gave him our cards in the hope that our building materials get to us faster,” she said.

But today they are still waiting. There is no sign of the man, their cards or the rest of their promised building materials.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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