Advance-Fee Scams in Fiji
Advance-fee fraud targets Fijians with fake lottery wins, overseas inheritance claims, and business contracts requiring upfront payments.
Part of: Advance Fee Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fiji's relatively small and interconnected communities mean that word-of-mouth trust spreads quickly — and scammers exploit this by tailoring advance-fee pitches to local social networks. Victims are often approached through Facebook or WhatsApp by individuals claiming to represent foreign business opportunities or legal estates.
Fiji's diaspora in Australia and New Zealand also faces advance-fee targeting, with fraudsters claiming to hold unclaimed funds or property rights in Fiji that require fees to unlock.
How this scam works on Fiji
Common advance-fee pitches in Fiji include fake lottery notifications claiming the recipient has won a foreign draw they never entered, requiring a processing fee before the prize is released. These arrive by SMS, Facebook Messenger, and occasionally by post.
Business-focused variants target Fiji's tourism and export sectors: a fake international buyer contacts a resort operator or coconut-product exporter, expressing strong purchase interest but requiring an advance customs or certification payment before the order can proceed.
Diaspora variants target Fijians abroad with claims of unclaimed land-title payments or inheritance proceeds held by a Fiji-based law firm, requiring notarial fees to transfer.
Common red flags
- Lottery or prize notification for a draw you did not enter
- Any fee described as mandatory before funds can be released
- Foreign buyer insists on advance payment rather than standard trade finance instruments
- Law firm or notary cannot be verified through the Fiji Law Society
- Communication only via personal WhatsApp or email — no official business address
- Urgent deadline pressure to prevent careful verification
How to protect yourself
- Never pay any fee to receive a prize or inheritance you were not expecting
- Verify business partners through Fiji's Companies Office registry before transacting
- Use internationally standard letters of credit for export transactions rather than advance payments to unknown buyers
- Check any claimed law firm with the Fiji Law Society
- Report suspicious contacts to the Fiji Police Force Financial Intelligence Unit
How to report it
- File a report with the Fiji Police Force, particularly the Financial Intelligence Unit
- Report to the Reserve Bank of Fiji if the scam involved suspicious fund transfers
- Report fraudulent social media accounts to the relevant platform
Frequently asked questions
Are advance-fee scams common in Fiji's rural communities?
Rural communities with limited digital literacy are increasingly targeted as smartphone access grows. Community education through local leaders and radio stations has proven effective at raising awareness.