Fiji like other countries is battling a huge risks in online scams such as gifting pyramid schemes, eBay Shop, Bitcoin cryptocurrency and impersonations to obtain financial advantage.
Trade Ministry director general cybercrime and communications Tupou’tuah Baravilala shared this at the Attorney-General’s Conference yesterday, where she urged lawyers to advocate for cyber hygiene practices in their communities.
“Online scams are not just targeting certain segments of the communities or the most vulnerable,” Ms Baravilala said.
“These scammers/cybercriminals are on the same platforms that we are all on and are attacking everyone.
“We cannot rely on enforcement alone. The best defence against scams is an alert, vigilant and discerning people.”
With the global economic conditions, the seasoned lawyer also told legal professionals that more scams should be anticipated.
Addresing more than 400 legal professionals, she said the key was to spot these scams and not fell prey to it.
Ms Baravilala explained that it was for this reason that the public needed to ensure they obtained the correct information from trusted sources such as the social media handles and websites of the Fiji Government and the Scam Taskforce.
“Additionally, there is a need to relook at digital literacy and digital education campaigns and ensure that it is tailored to diverse audiences and is culturally sensitive.
“Scams are beginning to evolve and be more sophisticated.
“We saw the setting up of physical offices by agents for some of these scams.
“Scammers are now using Artificial Intelligence to further mask themselves and abroad, we see AI being used to mimic the voices of loved ones in distress or make the scam more convincing.”
Ms Baravilala added people needed to be vigilant and protect themselves against online scams.
