The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has launched a nationwide crackdown on traders ahead of the Diwali, warning businesses not to exploit or mislead consumers during the festive season.
FCCC enforcement teams are actively conducting field inspections across the country to monitor price displays, price accuracy, and holiday promotional claims.
So far, investigators have completed 184 Diwali inspections and 26 joint surveys alongside health inspectors.
These initial sweeps have already uncovered several breaches, including overcharging, failure to display prices, and missing price markings, all of which are undergoing formal legal assessments.
FCCC chief executive officer Senikavika Jiuta said the festive season was no excuse for exploitation, and that the commission would investigate all suspected breaches and take strict enforcement action.
“Traders must comply with applicable price controls and make sure their promotional claims are genuine.”
This year’s surveillance extends beyond traditional brick-and-mortar storefronts to include online platforms and social media marketplaces like Facebook.
She said doing business through a digital platform did not exempt online sellers from their obligations under the FCCC Act 2010.
“With more people shopping online for festive goods, fraudulent sellers and scams are also more likely.
“Verify online sellers before paying, review seller information and independent feedback where available, and be wary of requests for immediate payment.
“Keep records of transactions, screenshots of advertisements and related communications, as these help when reporting a suspected scam or resolving a problem with a purchase.”
The commission has also reminded traders that all bundle offers, cleaning combo deals, and white goods promotions must be genuine, with clear terms and conditions.
Consumers are also urged to protect themselves by carefully checking product expiry dates, comparing retail prices, demanding written warranties, and keeping all receipts.
