Fraudulent work visa schemes were among cases involving traders who breached the FCCC Act 2010 and were prosecuted by the courts, securing fines and compensation totalling $27,8000.
Cases also involved non-delivery of goods and overcharging price-controlled items.
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) highlighted a few cases as it welcomed the court’s decisions in prosecuting serious breaches by unscrupulous traders.
A trader was prosecuted in four separate matters for falsely representing its ability to secure Australian work visas without the necessary authorisation or license.
The FCCC stated the trader had accepted payments from individuals and failed to deliver work visas to Australia as promised.
It stated that across the four cases, the court imposed a total of $7000 in fines and $15,8000 in compensation to be paid to complainants.
In another case, the Nasinu Magistrates Court imposed a $2000 fine on a trader who overcharged breakfast crackers above the regulated prices authorised by FCCC.
A third trader was fined $1000 and ordered by the Nausori Magistrates Court to pay $2000 in restitution after accepting a $3000 deposit for a Toyota Alphard, and failing to del;iver the vehicle within a reasonable timeframe.
“Consumers must be vigilant and carefully assess the legitimacy of offers, particularly those promising overseas employment, and beware of excessive pricing, or non-delivery of goods and services,” FCCC chief executive officer Jiuta Senikavika said.
“If an offer appears too good to be true or if prices exceed the regulated prices, it’s a red flag.”
Ms Jiuta also reminded traders to take heed of the sentencing and ensure they treated consumers fairly and ethically.
“FCCC remains resolute in taking swift, decisive and effective action against fraudulent practices, overpricing, and non-delivery to safeguard consumers and uphold fairness in Fiji’s marketplace.
“We are also pleased that justice has been served with some relief in the form of restitution being provided to affected consumers.”
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated April 28, 2025
