2 jailed for deception

TWO individuals found guilty of obtaining financial advantage by deception have been jailed for 30 months by Suva Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa.

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) laid charges against Shivneel Kishen Kumar and Sonam Shalini Lata.

Mr Kumar faced one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception while Ms Lata was charged with one count of aiding and abetting obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

In a statement, FICAC stated between August 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021, Mr Kumar obtained $1345 from citizens intending to apply for the Ministry of Housing and Community Development First Ownership Initiative.

The court heard Mr Kumar reposted an advertisement by the Ministry of Housing and Community Development for housing assistance.

He used the alias “Kissna Kumar” on Facebook, presenting himself as an employee of the ministry.

He received $109 and $209 respectively from members of the public, and the cumulative amount of $1345 was used by the defendants for their personal use.

Ms Lata was also aware of these activities. Both individuals pled guilty to their offences.

Defence counsel also submitted that both defendants were first time offenders.

Magistrate Boseiwaqa stated the conviction of the offences required custodial sentences.

This is to deter offenders from engaging in such types of behaviour.

According to FICAC, because of the length of the sentence, the court did not fix a nonparole period. Both prosecution and defence now have 28 days to appeal this decision to the High Court.