A joint press release by the Fiji Police Force and the Chinese embassy will be issued soon about 77 Chinese nationals taken back to China for alleged involvement in telecom and online fraud operating out of Fiji.

This has been confirmed late yesterday by the Minister for Defense Ratu Inoke Kubuabola after Fiji Sun requested comments on the matter.

Xinhua News Agency reported that China’s Ministry of Public Security announced on Saturday that this was the first time for Chinese Police to have taken so many suspects from an Oceanian country.

The suspects are accused in more than 50 cases involving over six million yuan ($US892, 000). This is equivalent to $FJD1.7million.

An illegal online gambling and lottery gang was exposed directing investigations to more than 200 suspects based in China, Indonesia and Fiji, with nearly 100 million yuan illegal gains involved. This is equivalent to $US14.85m, $FJD29.76m.

Victims were from over 20 provinces and municipalities across China.

Chinese Police sent a team to Fiji on July 2 to work with the local Police.

Xinhua further reported that on July 18, they took action; destroying five dens, arresting 77 suspects and confiscating equipment, including mobile phones, computers and bank cards.

In a separate case, the ministry announced on Friday that it had brought 143 such suspects to China from Indonesia. Another 10 suspects, who had been arrested, remained in Indonesia under investigation.

Pictures on social media and Xinhua showed some suspects were masked as they arrived in China.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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