650 Scam Cases Under Investigation

There are close to 650 scam cases under investigation by the Fiji Police Force.

This was revealed by the Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, yesterday during the Regional Workshop for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) at Shangri-La Yanuca Island in Nadroga yesterday.

Mr Turaga spoke of a case involving a woman from the Western Division who recently fell victim to a devastating cyber extortion scheme, losing nearly half a million dollars to an online scam.

The crime, which involved threats to release her intimate photos online, underscores the rising dangers of cybercrime in the Pacific nation.

He revealed the disturbing case, highlighting the increasingly sophisticated nature of digital crime. Mr Turaga said the victim, a woman in her early years, believed she was communicating with an individual outside Fiji.

Over the course of several months, the scammer threatened to post compromising images of her on the dark web unless she paid a ransom, he said. Unknowingly, the perpetrator was actually based in Fiji.

Despite the scammer’s local connection, the victim, feeling trapped, continued to make payments in the hope of stopping the release of her photos.

“This type of crime knows no borders, and it’s something that happens everywhere, not just in Fiji,” he said.

“Women in particular are targeted, often looking for companionship or trust online, only to find themselves caught in a web of deceit and exploitation.”

Mr Turaga said another high-profile scam in Fiji — a fraudulent M-Paisa transaction scheme, linked to fake eBay listings for equipment, which has cost victims more than $600,000.

“As the Minister of Justice and Vice-Minister for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, we are working on enhancing our legal framework and building capacity within our agencies to fight this growing threat.”

In collaboration with international partners, the ODPP is focusing on capacity building, training, and knowledge-sharing to improve local understanding of global standards and best practices for handling cybercrime cases.

This includes training officials on how to effectively gather and present electronic evidence in court, as well as navigating the complex landscape of cybercrime legislation.

“We are committed to strengthening our response to cybercrime and ensuring that law enforcement and legal practitioners are well-equipped to deal with these challenges,” said Turaga.

“The nature of crime is evolving, and it’s crucial that we stay ahead of these emerging threats.”

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