Fraudsters at work, diplomat warns
People should be more cautious if they receive such calls because these calls are not being done by the high commission and embassy and they should report it immediately to us and the Police: High Commissioner
The Indian High Commissioner to Fiji has issued a stern warning to fraudsters duping Indian nationals living in Fiji for financial gain.
High Commissioner Vishvas Sapkal said he received several complaints regarding the issue and had referred it to Police.
“We are hoping to have strict action taken against these fraudsters,” Mr Sapkal said. He said calls were made through the internet telephone system and they engaged Police authorities in India in attempts to trace the origin of the calls that were made. He said with the help of Fiji Police the high commission would be able to locate these fraudsters. “People should be more cautious if they receive such calls because these calls are not being done by the high commission and embassy and they should report it immediately to us and the Police,” Mr Sapkal said. “They call the person and try to deter him in saying that their documents are incomplete and unless the person pays money their case would not be legalised and they would face deportation.” The High Commissioner said a particular Indian national, who had been defrauded, was instructed to send money through Western Union.
“The embassy is giving a stern warning to these fraudsters and we will take action against them and we hope for good cooperation from various authorities.”
A notice published in the Fiji Sun from the High Commission of India said the fraudsters were duping Indian nationals in Fiji by impersonating officers of the High Commission by spoofing the numbers of the High Commission, that is, 3301125.
It is alleged that the fraudsters either sought personal information like credit card details or tried to extort money from Indian nationals by claiming that there were errors in their passports, visa forms, and immigration forms. They then inform the individual that these anomalies will be rectified when they pay a certain amount of money and at the same time they threaten the individuals of possible deportation or imprisonment in Fiji if the payment is not made.
“It is clarified that none of our officials make any telephone calls seeking personal information and in case of any requirements of any additional documentations from any applicant, it is sought only through email originating from the official domain,” the notice said.
Complaints of a similar nature can be made to the Indian High Commission through email: cons.suva@mea.gov.in.