2016 Auditor General's Report shows PM's VISA card involved in a scam

The Prime Minister’s visa card expense of $3,368.87 was unaccounted for in 2015 and this was a result of a VISA card scam that happened while the Prime Minister was in the country.

The Office of the Prime Minister has confirmed that ANZ Bank is still looking into the VISA card scam issue after it was highlighted in the 2016 Auditor General’s Report.

While making submissions before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Head of Corporate Services Division at the PM’s Office, Moape Rokosuka highlighted that the unacquitted amount of $3,368.87 was the result of the scam.

When questioned by the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, Mohammed Dean on the measures taken to address this issue, Rokosuka says that the bank has been informed about the fraudulent transaction and the Office of the Prime Minister has requested for the refund of $3,368.87.

Rokosuka says that as a safety measure to address the scam issue, ANZ Bank deactivates Prime Minister’s VISA card when he arrives in Nadi from overseas and re-activates the card when he leaves the country.

The 2016 Auditor General’s Report highlights that a VISA card with a credit limit of $50,000 is used to cater for the Prime Minister’s accommodation and incidental expenses while on official trips overseas.