Alleged M-PAiSA scammer escapes police custody

Alleged M-PAiSA scammer escapes police custody

By Rashika Kumar
Monday 09/10/2023
36-year-old Sanjeet Narayan [Image: Fiji Police Force]

A suspect who was being questioned in relation to the M-PAiSA scam where more than $8,900 was defrauded from a supermarket has escaped from police custody.

Assistant Commissioner of Police - Operations Livai Driu says 36-year-old Sanjeet Narayan was taken to the hospital after 1am today after he fell ill, and while getting his treatment, he escaped.

He says a team has been formed and is searching for him.

Police say Narayan is a mechanic from Viseisei in Vuda.

The suspect is wearing a black t-shirt with ‘Fijian Drua’ written on it and three-quarter pants.

He has a brown complexion and tattoos on both hands.

Police had earlier said the manager of a supermarket based in Nabua lodged a report at the Nabua Police Station claiming that they were scammed by a caller who identified himself to be a Senior Manager of Vodafone.

The suspect told the Manager that he was calling to upgrade the E-ticketing machine and needed the balance left in the machine to be transferred in order to facilitate the upgrade.

Police say more than $8,900 was transferred, and once the transaction was complete, the suspect said he would call after 15 minutes, which never eventuated.

They say investigators managed to track down the number and arrested the suspect who was taken into custody.

Another couple residing in Makoi were also taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the same scam and were being questioned at the Nabua Police Station.

Police say during the course of the investigation and based on the alleged modus operandi, there is a likelihood that the suspect is linked to similar reports lodged at the Valelevu, Nausori, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi Border and Namaka Police Stations.

Stay with us for developments.

FEATURE NEWS
We have observed a decline in the number of superbugs at CWM - MOH
The Ministry of Health has today said that they have observed a decline in the number of antibiotic-resistant organisms or superbugs being isolated at...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Grace Road found to be breaching employment and health and safety laws
Grace Road Company throughout Viti Levu has been found to be breaching the Employment Relations Act 2007 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1996 ...
19 minutes ago

USP Celebrates Global No.1 Rankings for Tourism and Hospitality Programmes
The University of the South Pacific (USP) has achieved global recognition for its excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education, earning the No. 1 ...
2 hours ago

Open-heart surgeries for Fiji and the region
Great news for the people of Fiji and the greater South Pacific Region as the regions largest and highest rated super-specialty private hospital ...
2 hours ago

Australia launches bill to ban social media for children under 16
The Australian Government has tabled a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and proposed fines of up to $73.3 ...
2 hours ago

6,659 drug cases recorded in 5 years with 1,615 cases recorded last year - ACP Raikaci
6,659 drug cases were recorded by the Fiji Police Force over the last five years, with last year seeing the highest with 1,615 cases. Acting ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
7 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
7 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
14 days ago

TOP