Police questioning a person while many coming forward with complaints regarding the EbayShop operations

Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica says investigations into EbayShop Online Recruitment scheme have been underway by a Multi-Interagency Taskforce, and the alleged masterminds that have been manipulating the public will be taken to task.

Kamikamica says the relevant enforcement agencies, such as the FCCC, and the Fiji Police Force have been pursuing this matter, based on the complaints that have been received.

All complaints being received by the FCCC and Consumer Council are being referred to the Police, to assist them in their investigation.

The Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications is also issuing an urgent advisory to the people of Fiji regarding the increasing prevalence of fraudulent schemes in Fiji, and particularly alarming are the ongoing scams perpetrated by the notorious EbayShop Online Recruitment scheme.

Kamikamica says in response to these threats, the Ministry has taken proactive steps to safeguard Fijians’ financial wellbeing and security.

The Multi-Interagency Taskforce is chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, which comprises the FCCC; Consumer Council of Fiji; Reserve Bank of Fiji and Fiji Police Force. Kamikamica says the EbayShop Online Recruitment is a scam and such fraudulent activities must stop now.

He says we cannot allow the people of Fiji to continue to fall into the trap of these unscrupulous people and face financial turmoil.

Kamikamica says it is imperative that we learn from this unfortunate incident and work collectively to ensure that similar scams do not take place.

The Deputy Prime Minister says the Reserve Bank of Fiji had issued a warning to the public against such scams on 1st September 2023.

FCCC CEO, Joel Abraham says investigations into EbayShop had started in July.

He says FCCC had commenced investigations into EbayShop had started months earlier and they are able to verify that EbayShop has no affiliation with the International Ebay organisation and neither was Ebay licensed by the Reserve Bank of Fiji.

Abraham says FCCC has actively gathered evidence from the outset, conducted interviews, and scrutinised the alleged activities associated with the scheme.

The first complaint was received on 11th September, and so far, 5 complaints and 6 enquiries have been received in total, collectively reporting losses totalling $33,640.00.

Abraham says now that they have received the first complaints on this scheme, they anticipate the emergence of further evidence and information that can aid in the ongoing investigation.

He says they will work with the Fiji Police Force to investigate and ensure that those responsible will be held accountable.

The taskforce is also aware of another scam that is happening through M-PAiSA fraudulent activities that is, misleading the public.

Kamikamica says in these fraudulent cases, individuals have received text messages notifying them of unauthorised withdrawals from their M-PAiSA accounts at supermarket outlets, all without the need for identification or the entry of the one-time password codes.

He is pleading to the people of Fiji to remain vigilant against these deceptive tactics, which can result in financial losses and personal distress.

Kamikamica is asking people to please take heed of the advice from the relevant agencies.

Council CEO, Seema Shandil has requested the members of the public to come forward to lodge an official complaint against EbayShop or any fraudulent activities to them.

Shandil says as the principal consumer advocacy organization, they had issued multiple warnings against this scam to the public over the last few months.

She is happy that an interagency taskforce has been established and swift investigations have already commenced.

Shandil says in order to systematically map out the structure of the EbayShop Online Recruitment scheme and identify the key orchestrators, they need consumers to step up and come forward with any details which they may have. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to the EbayShop Online Recruitment pyramid scheme or any other fraudulent activities or have any related information that will assist the enforcement agencies, please contact Consumer Council of Fiji on 155 or Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission on 8921991.

FCCC and Consumer Council are not commenting on whether an estimated $14 million was involved in the scam.

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission confirms that an investigation into the EbayShop Online Recruitment scheme has been ongoing since July, and they have now received complaints.

FCCC says it took steps to uncover as much information as there were no complaints filed earlier.

fijivillage News has been assured by Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica that they are looking into this issue and a statement will be issued soon.

Consumer Council of Fiji CEO, Seema Shandil is calling for FCCC and the Fiji Police Force to launch rigorous investigations into the individuals and organizations behind this fraudulent pyramid scheme.

Shandil confirms that the council has provided the complaints received by them to the Police and FCCC, and have also sent videos of those agents involved in the scheme.

The council’s call for action comes as consumers from all walks of life reel from the financial aftermath of their involvement in EbayShop Online Recruitment, a pyramid scheme that duped them into investing their precious savings, pushing many into the throes of debt and despair.

Whilst consumers ignored the multiple alarms sounded by the council over the course of last few months, Shandil says we must ensure that such schemes do not rear its ugly head in the future – by setting deterrence through enforcement action.

Shandil says the council condemns the unscrupulous individuals and entities responsible for promoting, acting as agents, and administering this fraudulent scheme, often resorting to coercion to recruit innocent victims.

Shandil has expressed her outrage and concern about the situation.

She says the collapse of EbayShop Online Recruitment is a stark reminder of the insidious nature of pyramid schemes and the devastating impact they have on the lives of ordinary consumers.

They urge the enforcement bodies to take swift and decisive action to bring those responsible to justice.

The council also raises a stern reminder to media organizations, who play a crucial role as the cornerstone of public confidence and information dissemination.

Shandil says while the freedom of the press is sacrosanct, it carries an equal responsibility to ensure that information shared with the public is accurate and does not harm or mislead.

She says unfortunately, one media organization, in its Breakfast Show, amplified the deceit by promoting EbayShop Online Recruitment, featuring consumer testimonials, and disseminating information that lent an aura of legitimacy to this illegal scheme.

Despite repeated warnings from the council that EbayShop Online Recruitment was a pyramid scheme, the media organization chose to ignore the facts, possibly causing more Fijians to invest, unwittingly walking into financial ruin.

The Consumer Council of Fiji urges media organizations to exercise utmost diligence and responsibility when disseminating information to the public, particularly in cases where the financial well-being of Fijian consumers is at stake.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to the EbayShop Online Recruitment pyramid scheme, please contact the Consumer Council of Fiji on the toll-free line 155 or email complaints@consumersfiji.org immediately.

fijivillage News has been raising questions about the scheme with the Consumer Council of Fiji and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission.

We have sent questions to Police as well, and are awaiting their response.

In what is now arguably one of the biggest scams in Fiji's history, it is confirmed that the notorious EbayShop Online Recruitment pyramid scheme has left countless Fijians in financial turmoil.

fijivillage News has been raising questions about the scheme with the Consumer Council of Fiji and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Complaints from concerned people is now pouring in at the Consumer Council, coinciding with a surge in individuals expressing their grievances through various social media platforms.

The council says hundreds of thousands of dollars have seemingly vanished into thin air overnight following the inevitable collapse of the EbayShop Online Recruitment scheme.

Consumer Council CEO, Seema Shandil says as forewarned by the council for months end, and as the dust settles on this devastating fraud, the council is urging consumers to report their losses.

Shandil says despite the council’s relentless efforts to raise awareness about such scams, it is anticipated that thousands of Fijians have fallen prey to this cunning operation, leaving them desperate to recover their hard-earned money.

She says the human toll of this scam is inconceivable, as ordinary Fijians have been manipulated and coerced into signing up for this fraudulent scheme.

One such victim, a humble bean seller from Nadi, reached out to the council in despair. She was duped into abandoning her small bean-selling business and is now left without an immediate source of income, traumatized by her ordeal.

The council investigations are revealing that many consumers also took loan from family and friends, banks and other financial institutions to invest in this now collapsed scheme.

Shandil says they sternly emphasize that there are no real winners in this fraudulent game.

She says those who may have profited did so at the expense of their fellow Fijians, who are now left with nothing but heartache and financial devastation.

Whilst calling for actions against the perpetrators and enablers of this scheme, Shandil says tthe local orchestrators of this scheme, including the alleged administrators, must face thorough investigation, and those who actively promoted and lured innocent people into this web of deceit should be held accountable for their actions through legal/enforcement action.

Shandil says in a glaring lapse, the enforcement bodies tasked with safeguarding the interests of consumers have acted far too late in addressing the EbayShop Online Recruitment Scheme.

She also says they tirelessly sounded the alarm on this issue for months, urging proactive measures to protect consumers from the clutches of this deceptive scheme.

Shandil says the delayed response from enforcement bodies inadvertently provided leeway for the scheme to operate and, in the eyes of some, seemingly legitimized its existence.

She says it is imperative that we learn from this unfortunate incident and work collectively to ensure that similar scams are nipped in the bud, rather than allowed to flourish to the detriment of consumers.

We have sent questions to FCCC and Police, and are awaiting their response.