The Fiji Embassy Tokyo [FET] warns consumers that criminal perpetrators may post fraudulent online classified advertisements offering vehicles for sale that are not, nor have ever been, in their possession.

The fake advertisements usually include photos matching the description of the vehicle and a phone number or email address to contact the supposed seller. Once contact is established, the criminal sends the intended buyer additional photos along with an explanation for the discounted price and the urgency of the transaction.

Once the transaction is completed, the criminal typically ignores a follow-up call, text messages, or emails from the buyer or may demand additional payments. In the end, the vehicle is not delivered, and the buyer can never recuperate their losses.   

Tips for Avoiding Fraudulent Online Vehicle Sales:

• Collect information about used vehicle exporters with all details about their company, establishment, address, email, telephone, and others.
• Check the address on Google search, call on the landline phone numbers, and ask for a police verification certificate and registration. You can search the company on JETRO, JUMVEA, etc. All the information and establishment year of the company helps you judge the goodwill of the exporter.
• Contact the exporter and enquire about the purchase process and payment terms. Take a printout or save it. Carefully go through again. Clarify all doubts. If terms are clear, that is a sign that they are well experienced and honest.
• Check the stocks of the exporter for two-three days and note if stock is changing and new items are added. If yes, that means they are active in the business.
• Select a vehicle and check the details, including pictures from all angles, VIN, or inspection sheets. These certificates assure you what you will get through inspection of all used vehicles, both interior and exterior, and verifying the chassis number of the vehicle is done. Then the vehicles are stamped. Place an order for one unit in your first deal. If the deal is as you expected, then go-ahead for more. 
• Do not be carried away by low-price offers that could be a trap from the frauds. Take ample time to check and make a decision always and compare an offer from different exporters.
• Ask for a reference buyer or importer in Fiji who already imports a car from the exporter. You can cross-verify from buyer/importer about dealing with an exporter. 
• Avoid sellers who refuse to share their company`s registration details.
• Criminals take extra effort to disguise themselves and have recognizable words in their email names or domain. If you are suspicious or unsure about an email that claims to be from a legitimate business, locate the company online and contact them directly.
• Don’t give out your financial or personal information, such as credit card number or bank account information, until you verify that the online company you’re liaising with is legitimate.

Should you need any clarifications pertaining to the above, please feel free to contact Second Secretary, Mr. Ashneel Shankar on ashneel.shankar@fijiembassy.jp

The Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in Tokyo has set up a Tropical Cyclone Yasa Relief Fund Account, to assist the people of Fiji, who have been badly affected by the most horrific cyclone destruction.

Tropical Cyclone Yasa, a category 5 storm cyclone, brought gusts of wind of up to 345km per hour, causing flooding and landslides. Fiji’s second-largest island Vanua Levu and coastal areas of many islands were impacted by storm surges and flooding during the height of the storm on the 17th December 2020.

In the aftermath of the cyclone and flooding, there has been a loss of lives, many people left homeless, massive destruction of buildings, schools, hospitals, public infrastructure and businesses, villages and some maritime islands were flattened, and livelihoods destroyed. The full cost of the damage suffered by the people of Fiji will not be known for a few weeks as the relief assessment teams are currently working hard with the limited resources they have and with the assistance from donor countries to span the whole of affected Fiji. However, the cost of damage is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. It was the strongest storm in the basin since TC Winston in 2016 and the strongest in the cyclone season 2020-21.

The relief donations will be used to rebuild the lives of the many people across Fiji who suffered the cyclone’s drastic devastation to their homes and livelihood. Notable schools in Bua, Macuata, Cakaudrove in Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Yasawa, and Southern Lau have suffered severe damage to classrooms, teachers’ quarters, textbooks, school resources, etc. These schools are needed to be rebuilt now, forcing many students to find alternative schools to continue their studies as reconstruction work on these schools would take 1 to 2 years to complete. Also, many affected students would be without school stationery and uniforms.

The Bank and the Bank Account details in which you may deposit your financial donation is as follows:

Account Number: 3043244

Account Name: FET NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF APPEAL FUND

Name of Bank: Mizuho Bank (Savings)

Branch Name: Kamiyacho Branch

It is anticipated that most people in Vanua Levu and rural maritime islands will be without homes. More than 3,206 people are still living in evacuation centers. Initial damage assessment, which was completed on 28 December by the Commissioner Northern Division, reveals that 6,000 houses were partially damaged while 1,500 houses were damaged entirely caused by flooding, storm surge, and destructive winds in the wake of TC Yasa. Many houses are needed to be rebuilt and will require emergency shelter (tarpaulins and toolkits) and essential household items assistance (clothing, kitchen sets, solar lamps, blankets), as well as appropriate technical assistance. According to the Ministry of Education Fiji assessment, close to 85 schools in TC Yasa affected areas have sustained damages.

As a result of massive damage to agricultural areas on Yasawa-i-rara, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Maritime Islands, including Koro, Cicia, Moce, Komo, which is home to many farmers, food security has also been impacted as livestock and farms have been destroyed.

The core expense of the Government’s rehabilitation and reconstruction work is three-pronged which encompass (i) provisions of basic needs (food, shelter, water, accessibility, livelihood, health, and sanitation; (ii) restoration of essential service (roads, ports, jetties, airfields, water electricity, communication, education, continuity of Government machinery); and (iii) economic recovery (infrastructure, utilities, tourism sector, private sector, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry).

Thank you most sincerely for your goodwill and generosity to help.