Scam complaints top $82k in four months

Within four months, 113 formal scam complaints amounting to more than $82,000 in reported losses were recorded in Fiji.

The report has prompted a government warning that the true scale of financial loss is likely much greater and continues to grow rapidly.

Launching Anti-Scam Awareness Week in Suva today, Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica said scams had evolved into a national security concern, undermining public trust, draining savings, and destabilising the economy.

Mr Kamikamica said that although the reported cases were significant, the true extent of scam-related losses was likely far greater.

“Many victims never report what happened to them. They are ashamed, or they believe nothing can be done. That silence helps scammers thrive.” 

Scams are no longer isolated crimes, but part of a global epidemic.

“Scams are not just about tricking consumers they move illicit money, exploit women and children, and weaken our institutions,” he said.

“We are treating this as a national security threat.” 

To fight back, the Government plans sweeping reforms to strengthen Fiji’s cyber laws and enforcement.

Mr Kamikamica announced amendments to the Online Safety Act 2018 and Cyber Security Act 2021 to give authorities greater power to collect evidence, prosecute offenders and cooperate internationally. 

A national scam reporting and analytics platform will also be launched in early 2026.

“This will serve as a single point for reporting scams and sharing information in real time between the police, regulators, and telecom providers,” the minister said. 

Fiji will also soon sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, following its signing of the Budapest Convention’s Second Additional Protocol, becoming the first Pacific country to do so.

“These international commitments strengthen our capacity to trace digital criminals and recover stolen funds,” Mr Kamikamica said. 

Consumer Council of Fiji chief executive officer Seema Shandil said the rise in complaints reflected only “the tip of the iceberg”. 

“Scams are spreading faster than awareness,” she said.

“We are seeing cases where families lose thousands of dollars, retirees lose their life savings, and young people fall prey to fake online businesses. Even professionals are being deceived by AI-generated voices and videos.” 

The psychological toll was severe.

“Scams leave people humiliated and traumatised. It’s not just the money it’s the sense of betrayal,” she said. “We urge Fijians to stop, think and verify before sending money or clicking on suspicious links.” 

UNDP resident representative Mukhtoya Altangerel said scams were a threat to Fiji’s development goals. “They attack trust, which is the foundation of any digital economy,” she said.

“UNDP is working with the Ministry of Education to build digital literacy into school curricula, so children can recognise what is real and what is fake.” 

Through the Pacific Digital Economy Programme, supported by Australia, New Zealand and the EU, more than 200,000 Fijians had already been reached with scam awareness campaigns. “Education and vigilance are our best defences,” she said. 

Mr Kamikamica closed with a national call to action. “Every complaint, no matter how small, helps us fight back,” he said. “When Fijians report scams and stay alert, we defend not only our money, but our country’s digital future.”