Fiji loses over $5M to online scams in 2024

Cybercrime is tightening its grip on the Pacific, with Fiji losing more than $5 million to online scams in 2024.

It is a wake-up call that has prompted regional leaders to unite in the fight against digital threats.

Head of Cyber Security Solutions at Datec Fiji, Sagar Patel revealed this during the Pacific Cybersecurity Forum in Suva yesterday.

He said Fiji alone recorded losses of $4.6 million to eBay scams and another $600,000 to mobile money fraud, warning that cyberattacks had become more sophisticated through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Cybersecurity “Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue, it’s a leadership issue. With AI now enabling smarter, faster, and more deceptive cyberattacks, Pacific nations must act collectively to protect their digital borders,” Mr Patel said.

The high-level regional forum hosted by Datec Fiji, brought together government officials, financial institutions, regulators, and private sector leaders to strengthen cyber resilience and governance frameworks across the Pacific.

The event, held as part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, carried the theme ‘Building a Pacific Cyber Shield,’ emphasising the urgent need for regional co-operation to safeguard personal data, national security, and economic stability.

Datec chief executive officer Vinit Vishaal Nand said Fiji and its Pacific neighbours could not afford to underestimate cyber risks because technology had become central to everyday life.

“Technology is critical, and everyone uses it daily, but being digitally safe is now a necessity. From personal data such as passports and emails to major corporate records, what we share online can easily be stolen or traded on the dark web. Cybersecurity is no longer optional, it’s a serious risk for Fiji and the Pacific,” Mr Nand said.

“Data is the new gold. With AI powered scams on the rise, we need a united Pacific approach, a true Cyber Shield to defend our economies and people.”

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