Financial Crime World

Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit Uncovers Widespread Fraudulent Activity

The Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has released a report revealing a significant number of fraudulent activities in the country, resulting in losses totaling over $19,000.

Investigation Highlights

  • 27 individual accounts were compromised through advanced fee fraud, with 15 fraudulent transfers worth $19,070.
  • The majority of victims were from Malaysia and South Africa, while one victim was from East Calgary, Canada.

Perpetrators’ Methods

  • Individuals, including Person A, Person F, and Person J from Malaysia, used various methods to defraud their victims, such as:
    • Using gatekeepers to layer funds
    • Falsifying airline tickets to obtain financial gain
  • Person N, a 53-year-old Asian businessman, was charged with general dishonesty after allegedly falsifying airline tickets to obtain $3,500 from a local commercial bank.
  • The FIU suspects that Person N may have used two passports issued under his name.

Additional Cases

  • A 53-year-old housewife, identified as Person M, sent large telegraphic transfers from her bank account in Australia to her local bank account in Fiji. The FIU believes that Person M may be layering funds originating from Country P.
  • The FIU has issued reports to foreign financial intelligence units and law enforcement agencies detailing the suspected fraudulent activities.

Urgent Warning

The FIU is urging individuals and businesses to remain vigilant and report any suspicious transactions or activities to the authorities. This includes:

Indicators of Fraudulent Activity

  • Use of gatekeepers to facilitate alleged layering of funds
  • Occupation of investors unclear
  • Intent to defraud authorities based on false documentation
  • Large telegraphic transfers not commensurate with occupation
  • Movement of funds between local bank accounts as soon as a large amount of funds is received from offshore.

Possible Offences

  • Money Laundering
  • Fraud
  • Obtaining financial advantage through deception
  • General Dishonesty
  • Layering