Latest news with #ManoaKamikamica
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Fiji: Urgent Public Warning: Bitcoin ATM Job Scam Targeting Fijians
Fijians Advised To Ignore Fraudulent Job Offers Circulating Via WhatsApp The Anti – Scam Taskforce (Taskforce) is urgently warning members of the public, particularly iPhone users, to remain vigilant against a new and deceitful scam being circulated through Apple's iMessage platform. The message, purportedly from 'Seek HR Management', falsely claims to offer highly suspicious remote assistant positions with unrealistic earnings of FJD $200 to $1,500 per day for just 15 minutes of work, along with claims about Bitcoin ATM installations in Suva and Lautoka. It is a deliberate attempt to lure unsuspecting consumers into fraudulent schemes under the guise of job recruitment. The scam message reads: 'Hello everyone, I'm the HR manager at Seek. We are installing Bitcoin ATMs in cities like Suva and Lautoka, and we are currently hiring 20 remote assistants. This job requires about 15 minutes of work each day, with a salary ranging from 200 to 1500 FJD per day. If you'd like to learn more about the job details, please add me on WhatsApp: 642102811577. ' Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications and the Chair of the Taskforce, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, expressed grave concern over the rise of digital scam operations targeting everyday Fijians. 'This is not just a consumer issue—it is a national issue. We cannot allow criminal actors to exploit digital platforms to deceive our citizens,' said Hon. Kamikamica. 'These criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to appear legitimate, but their goal remains the same, to defraud hardworking Fijians. I urge all citizens to be extremely vigilant with unsolicited job offers, particularly those requiring personal financial information or upfront payments. Always verify any opportunity through official channels before responding, and we also urge all Fijians to report such messages to the relevant authorities immediately. It is through vigilance and collaboration that we will protect our communities.' On behalf of the Taskforce, the Council is urging all consumers to exercise extreme caution, refrain from engaging with the message, and under no circumstances respond or add the sender on WhatsApp. 'This is a textbook scam designed to exploit the curiosity and financial aspirations of our people,' said Council CEO Seema Shandil. 'The promise of easy money for minimal work is not just unrealistic—it's bait. Once hooked, consumers may be manipulated into sharing personal information, sending money, or unknowingly participating in illegal activity. We implore all Fijians to remain cautious, educate their families about these threats, and report any suspicious communications immediately.' The Anti-Scam Taskforce members are working closely to monitor such threats and coordinate timely responses. Consumers are reminded that legitimate job offers will never ask for contact via unofficial channels such as WhatsApp messages or offer unrealistic wages for little to no work. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Scams thrive in silence — speaking up protects not just you, but others around you. If you have received this message or believe you may have shared information with the scammer, contact the Consumer Council of Fiji immediately via toll-free number 155 or email complaints@
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Fiji: Urgent Public Warning: Bitcoin ATM Job Scam Targeting Fijians
Press Release – Consumer Council of Fiji Fijians Advised To Ignore Fraudulent Job Offers Circulating Via WhatsApp The Anti – Scam Taskforce (Taskforce) is urgently warning members of the public, particularly iPhone users, to remain vigilant against a new and deceitful scam being circulated through Apple's iMessage platform. The message, purportedly from 'Seek HR Management', falsely claims to offer highly suspicious remote assistant positions with unrealistic earnings of FJD $200 to $1,500 per day for just 15 minutes of work, along with claims about Bitcoin ATM installations in Suva and Lautoka. It is a deliberate attempt to lure unsuspecting consumers into fraudulent schemes under the guise of job recruitment. The scam message reads: 'Hello everyone, I'm the HR manager at Seek. We are installing Bitcoin ATMs in cities like Suva and Lautoka, and we are currently hiring 20 remote assistants. This job requires about 15 minutes of work each day, with a salary ranging from 200 to 1500 FJD per day. If you'd like to learn more about the job details, please add me on WhatsApp: 642102811577. ' Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications and the Chair of the Taskforce, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, expressed grave concern over the rise of digital scam operations targeting everyday Fijians. 'This is not just a consumer issue—it is a national issue. We cannot allow criminal actors to exploit digital platforms to deceive our citizens,' said Hon. Kamikamica. 'These criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to appear legitimate, but their goal remains the same, to defraud hardworking Fijians. I urge all citizens to be extremely vigilant with unsolicited job offers, particularly those requiring personal financial information or upfront payments. Always verify any opportunity through official channels before responding, and we also urge all Fijians to report such messages to the relevant authorities immediately. It is through vigilance and collaboration that we will protect our communities.' On behalf of the Taskforce, the Council is urging all consumers to exercise extreme caution, refrain from engaging with the message, and under no circumstances respond or add the sender on WhatsApp. 'This is a textbook scam designed to exploit the curiosity and financial aspirations of our people,' said Council CEO Seema Shandil. 'The promise of easy money for minimal work is not just unrealistic—it's bait. Once hooked, consumers may be manipulated into sharing personal information, sending money, or unknowingly participating in illegal activity. We implore all Fijians to remain cautious, educate their families about these threats, and report any suspicious communications immediately.' The Anti-Scam Taskforce members are working closely to monitor such threats and coordinate timely responses. Consumers are reminded that legitimate job offers will never ask for contact via unofficial channels such as WhatsApp messages or offer unrealistic wages for little to no work. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Scams thrive in silence — speaking up protects not just you, but others around you. If you have received this message or believe you may have shared information with the scammer, contact the Consumer Council of Fiji immediately via toll-free number 155 or email complaints@
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Fiji: Urgent Public Warning: Bitcoin ATM Job Scam Targeting Fijians
The Anti – Scam Taskforce (Taskforce) is urgently warning members of the public, particularly iPhone users, to remain vigilant against a new and deceitful scam being circulated through Apple's iMessage platform. The message, purportedly from "Seek HR Management', falsely claims to offer highly suspicious remote assistant positions with unrealistic earnings of FJD $200 to $1,500 per day for just 15 minutes of work, along with claims about Bitcoin ATM installations in Suva and Lautoka. It is a deliberate attempt to lure unsuspecting consumers into fraudulent schemes under the guise of job recruitment. The scam message reads: 'Hello everyone, I'm the HR manager at Seek. We are installing Bitcoin ATMs in cities like Suva and Lautoka, and we are currently hiring 20 remote assistants. This job requires about 15 minutes of work each day, with a salary ranging from 200 to 1500 FJD per day. If you'd like to learn more about the job details, please add me on WhatsApp: 642102811577. ' Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications and the Chair of the Taskforce, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, expressed grave concern over the rise of digital scam operations targeting everyday Fijians. 'This is not just a consumer issue—it is a national issue. We cannot allow criminal actors to exploit digital platforms to deceive our citizens,' said Hon. Kamikamica. 'These criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to appear legitimate, but their goal remains the same, to defraud hardworking Fijians. I urge all citizens to be extremely vigilant with unsolicited job offers, particularly those requiring personal financial information or upfront payments. Always verify any opportunity through official channels before responding, and we also urge all Fijians to report such messages to the relevant authorities immediately. It is through vigilance and collaboration that we will protect our communities.' On behalf of the Taskforce, the Council is urging all consumers to exercise extreme caution, refrain from engaging with the message, and under no circumstances respond or add the sender on WhatsApp. 'This is a textbook scam designed to exploit the curiosity and financial aspirations of our people,' said Council CEO Seema Shandil. 'The promise of easy money for minimal work is not just unrealistic—it's bait. Once hooked, consumers may be manipulated into sharing personal information, sending money, or unknowingly participating in illegal activity. We implore all Fijians to remain cautious, educate their families about these threats, and report any suspicious communications immediately.' The Anti-Scam Taskforce members are working closely to monitor such threats and coordinate timely responses. Consumers are reminded that legitimate job offers will never ask for contact via unofficial channels such as WhatsApp messages or offer unrealistic wages for little to no work. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Scams thrive in silence — speaking up protects not just you, but others around you. If you have received this message or believe you may have shared information with the scammer, contact the Consumer Council of Fiji immediately via toll-free number 155 or email complaints@
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Fiji and Tonga work on trade and business opportunities
Participants at the business meeting in Nukualofa. Photo: Fiji Ministry of Trade The Fijian and Tongan governments have begun working to enhance trade and business development opportunities between the two nations. Fiji's Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica and Tonga's Acting Prime Minister Dr Taniela Likuʻohihifo Fusimalohi discussed the issue during a meeting in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday. Kamikamica is in Tonga to attend the Investment Fiji-led Fiji-Tonga Business Mission. Fiji is the fourth-largest exporter of goods to Tonga. Fiji's Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small & Medium Enterprises, and Communications said Tonga is Fiji's largest export market in the Pacific, with over $161 million worth of exports recorded last year. A number of Fijian companies, like Punjas, Coca-Cola, Flour Mills of Fiji, CJ Patel, and Ashabhai have connections or offices on the main island of Tongatapu, enabling Fijian goods to be imported by local companies. Tonga's Acting Prime Minister Dr Taniela Fusimalohi, left, receives a tanoa gift from Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday. Photo: Tonga PM Press Tonga Prime Minister's office said Kamikamica's visit, with the business mission, and meeting with Dr Fusimalohi "provided an opportunity to strengthen the enduring friendship between Fiji and Tonga". "The leaders exchanged views on matters of common interest, including enhancing cooperation in trade, agriculture, and aviation, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration for the mutual benefit of both nations and the region." The business mission meeting has been hosted by the Tonga Chamber of Commerce, and brought together business leaders and government officials from both countries. President Sam Vea said this was an important step forward for both countries. He said Tonga is ready to strengthen long-term business ties with Fiji. "Your presence here shows that we recognise the real potential we have when we work together," he said. Fiji's s Trade Ministry said in a statement that Fiji sees a lot of opportunities for further business growth in areas like tourism, ICT, and manufacturing. It also praised Tonga's natural beauty, stating that there is strong tourism potential if the right infrastructure is put in place. Fiji's delegation included major businesses like Punjas, Goodman Fielder, and Vinod Patel. "Fiji is open for business," Kamikamica said. "We are here to build partnerships and grow together as Pacific neighbours." Kamikamica pointed to key areas of growth, including tourism, ICT, and sustainable manufacturing. He said "it's not just about big projects or big companies", stating there should be a strong emphasis on supporting small businesses, the backbone of every Pacific economy. "MSMEs are the heart of the Pacific community," he said, referring to micro, small, and medium enterprises. He spoke of Fiji's efforts to build a national strategy for MSMEs and cooperatives, which could serve as a model for the entire region. The business mission is supported by Investment Fiji and Tonga's Ministry of Trade and Commerce. Both countries agreed that Pacific nations must work together to address their own challenges, especially in light of global issues like climate change and rising costs.
