Fiji's consumer watchdog says an online pyramid scheme has left "countless Fijians in financial turmoil". Photo: 123RF
Fiji's consumer watchdog says an online pyramid scheme has left "countless Fijians in financial turmoil" after "one for the biggest scams" in the country's history.
"The EbayShop Online Recruitment began operations in Fiji earlier this year, recruiting locals as agents to market their online activities that provided short tasks for Fijians in return for money daily," according to the Fiji Sun.
"The online scheme promoted a tax registration document that was allegedly signed by the former chief executive officer of the Fiji Revenue and Custom Services (FRCS), Mark Dickson, indicating April 19, 2023, as the commencement date," the newspaper reported.
The EbayShop has now ceased its operations, shutting down office spaces it rented in Nadi, Lautoka, and Labasa.
Consumer Council of Fiji said it had "forewarned" people about the scam in which "hundreds of thousands of dollars have seemingly vanished into thin air overnight following the inevitable collapse of the EbayShop Online Recruitment scheme".
"We tirelessly sounded the alarm on this issue for months, urging proactive measures to protect consumers from the clutches of this deceptive scheme," the Consumer Council chief executive Seema Shandil said via a statement on Tuesday.
"The delayed response from enforcement bodies inadvertently provided leeway for the scheme to operate and, in the eyes of some, seemingly legitimised its existence."
"The local orchestrators of this scheme, including the alleged administrators, must face thorough investigation, and those who actively promoted and lured innocent people into this web of deceit should be held accountable for their actions through legal enforcement action," she said.
The consumer watchdog said Fijians must "learn from this unfortunate incident" to avoid "similar scams are nipped in the bud, rather than allowed to flourish to the detriment of our fellow consumers".
Seema Shandil Photo: Fiji Consumer Council
Report scams, police say
Fiji Police said it had not received any reports against the operations of EbayShop.
"When reports are received, investigations will be conducted accordingly," it said in its statement.
"Reports of online scams are being received throughout the divisions, mainly perpetrated by offenders who are operating from overseas. However, as for local online scams, 21 cases have been investigated and the offenders charged with Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception contrary to Section 318 of the Crimes Act 2009."
Police said its Cyber Crime department is working with mobile service providers in tracing perpetrators through their records with regards to mobile phone scams.
"With all businesses conducted online it is important to carry out due diligence and thorough checks made to verify information before payment of money is done."
They say once money is sent it it could not be easily recovered.
"There are reports where bonds for rental cars or apartments have been paid without proper verification and onsite visits. All online transactions from an unverified source or platform must always be approached with caution, or avoid engaging altogether."
