$8,222 worth of online fraud cases referred to Consumer Coucil

Consumer Council of Fiji has so far received eight online fraud cases this year which amounted to $8,222.

Council CEO, Premila Kumar says the complaints received were against online boutiques who failed to supply items that had already been paid for and clothes that were delivered, were not of the promised quality.

She highlighted a case in January whereby a person had ordered two bridal wears and accessories worth $4,900 from an online boutique and the items were not supplied on the stipulated date.

She adds that when a complaint was made to the Consumer Council, the owner of the boutique had offered to refund the money to the complainant on two occasions, however they failed do so and the case is still open with the council.

Kumar states that if the matter is not resolved at a mediation level, then it is referred to the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission or the Small Claims Tribunal for legal action.

Three complaints were from the Central Division and five from the Western Division.

The Council has referred four cases to the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission and one case has been settled while three are still with the Consumer Council.

The cases that have been referred to the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission are of clothes that were ordered from online boutiques worth $940 and either the delivery or refund has not been made till date.