The South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) has joined global markets to ring the bell for financial literacy, issuing a strong call for collective action against financial scams.
Held during World Investor Week 2026 at the Reserve Bank of Fiji headquarters in Suva on Thursday, the key event focused on staying ahead of financial scams to address fraudulent investment schemes, digital impersonation, and online financial deception that threatened public confidence.
FCCC chief executive officer Senikavika Jiuta called for the development of a national scam prevention framework for Fiji to combat those crimes.
She said there had been an increasing sophistication of financial scams, including fraudulent investment platforms, institutional impersonation, and the misuse of artificial intelligence to deceive consumers.
Ms Jiuta called for stronger cooperation between regulators, financial institutions, telecommunications providers, digital platforms, and law enforcement agencies to improve scam prevention, early detection, and response.
She also called for consumers to “independently verify financial offers, remain cautious of promises of guaranteed returns and promptly report suspected scams”.
SPX chairperson Nitin Gandhi said financial institutions must take a more active and visible role in educating the public about legitimate financial products and services.
“One of the most effective ways to counter financial scams is to ensure that people understand the credible and regulated financial products available to them, including where and how to access these services,” Mr Gandhi said.
Consumer Council of Fiji representative Lusia Rabaka said while there had been progress since the national anti-scam campaign launched in 2024, she warned that continuous education and public vigilance remained essential as scammers adopted increasingly sophisticated methods.
She said it was important for consumers to verify financial offers, recognise warning signs and report suspicious activities early.
Ministry of Education permanent secretary Navin Raj said there were ongoing efforts to incorporate financial literacy into Fiji’s education system to help students recognise fraudulent schemes from an early age in an increasingly digital environment.
The SPX has also advised members of the public that legitimate stock market investments did not offer guaranteed returns, and that investors must remain cautious of anyone promising risk-free profits or pressuring them to make immediate payments.
The global Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy initiative, supported by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), brings stock exchanges together during World Investor Week, an international campaign coordinated by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), to promote investor education and protection.
