Consumer Council Issues Warning Against VitiCrypto

The Consumer Council of Fiji has issued a public warning about illegal virtual asset training schemes being promoted in Fiji, mainly through social media platforms such as TikTok.

The Council said it has identified a rise in schemes offering paid “training” programs linked to cryptocurrency and virtual asset trading

The Council said one group operating under the name “VitiCrypto” is allegedly charging people about $300 to attend online Zoom sessions and in-person meetings, claiming to teach virtual asset trading.

According to the Council, participants are being misled into believing that while banks cannot process cryptocurrency transactions, money exchange platforms can be used instead. The Council said this information is false.

The Consumer Council stressed that all virtual asset services are illegal in Fiji, including the promotion, facilitation, marketing, or training related to cryptocurrency trading

The warning follows a public advisory issued by the Reserve Bank of Fiji on 5 September 2025, which stated that no person or business is allowed to operate or promote virtual asset service provider activities in or from Fiji. Breaches of the law can result in penalties of up to $1 million and/or 14 years’ imprisonment

The prohibition was also reaffirmed by the National Anti-Money Laundering Council of Fiji, which highlighted the risks of financial crime, money laundering, and consumer harm linked to virtual asset services.

Consumer Council Chief Executive Officer Seema Shandil said these schemes are misleading and place people at serious financial and legal risk.

“These are traps, not lessons,” Ms Shandil said. “Paying for this ‘training’ is both dangerous and illegal. Those promoting it are encouraging people to break the law”

The Consumer Council has urged the public not to participate and not to pay for any virtual asset training or trading schemes.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities to the National Consumer Helpline 155 or through the Council’s official channels.