Labasa Couple Charged for $730 Mpaisa Fraud

The Fiji Police Force (FPF) Mpaisa Taskforce Team has arrested and charged a couple from Labasa for dishonestly obtaining $730 through deception.

The 30-year-old businessman from Delailabasa and his 27-year-old wife face multiple charges, including four counts each of Unauthorized Access, Identity Theft, and Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception (OFABD), as well as one count of Proceeds of Crime (POC).

Police allege that the couple targeted four victims using the Mpaisa platform between September 2023 and December 2024.

Investigations revealed that the couple contacted prominent individuals and accessed their Viber accounts by tricking them.

They reportedly claimed the victim's phone number was mistakenly shared with a Japanese car dealer.

In some cases, they impersonated police officers, telling victims their phone numbers were under surveillance and requesting an international phone number.

The international number requested was actually the victim’s Viber activation code, which allowed the couple to log in to the victims' accounts.

Once inside, they allegedly contacted people in the victims' contact lists and asked for money.

The incident was reported at Totogo Police Station. Both accused remain in police custody and are scheduled to appear in the Labasa Magistrate Court today.