Consumer Council Warns of TikTok-Based Investment Scam Targeting Fijians
FIJI NEWS
The Consumer Council of Fiji has issued a strong warning to the public following a rise in deceptive investment schemes circulating on TikTok and other social media platforms.
The Council says scammers are using flashy videos and buzzwords to lure unsuspecting Fijians into what appears to be a high-risk online “business opportunity,” disguised as a legitimate overseas investment. The scheme encourages individuals to pay upfront joining and subscription fees with promises of fast, passive income and weekly returns—often based solely on recruiting others into the program.
“What makes this scheme especially dangerous is its resemblance to a pyramid model,” said Consumer Council of Fiji CEO Ms. Seema Shandil. “While it uses health products as a cover, the income structure heavily depends on recruitment rather than real sales or services.”
According to the Council, many of the videos are being produced by individuals claiming to be based in New Zealand, yet they are aggressively targeting Fijian users instead of promoting the scheme in their own domestic market—raising further suspicions about the legitimacy of the operation.
Shandil highlighted that “social media has become the new playground for scammers,” with TikTok and AI-generated content now enabling fraudsters to spread their message faster and more convincingly than ever before.
“If someone online is asking you to invest money with vague promises or unclear details, question everything,” she said. “Real investments are transparent, regulated, and never rely on how many people you bring in.”
The Consumer Council’s warning comes amid growing concern within the Anti-Scam Taskforce, of which the Council is a key member. The Taskforce has observed a rise in social media-based scams that exploit economic uncertainty and rising financial pressure faced by many Fijians.
“These scams are carefully designed to bypass suspicion and prey on trust,” Shandil said. “They push urgency—‘join now,’ ‘pay first’—and discourage open discussion. The more they are shared and left unchallenged, the more victims they trap.”
The Council noted that while the videos may appear engaging and professional, they are part of a calculated strategy to extract money from individuals, often leaving new recruits at a financial loss when the scheme collapses.
Fijians are being urged not to engage with, forward, or financially contribute to any scheme that promotes secrecy, pressure tactics, or vague investment promises. The public is also encouraged to report such content directly to social media platforms using built-in reporting tools.
Anyone who believes they’ve been targeted or fallen victim to the scam is urged to contact the Consumer Council of Fiji via email at complaints@consumersfiji.org or by calling the toll-free helpline at 155.
“The best defense,” Shandil said, “is caution, verification, and refusing to be pressured into making financial decisions by strangers online.”
