Fiji's central bank, the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF), and one of the country's leading television networks, Fiji TV, have issued a joint warning to the public to remain vigilant against a growing wave of fake investment scams circulating online.

The alert comes after a misleading video appeared on Fijian social media platforms, falsely claiming that the RBF Governor is endorsing an investment trading platform that promises an unrealistic return of FJ$18,000 (approximately NZ$13,200) per month from an initial investment of just FJ$500 (NZ$370).

In the video, a presenter appears to be reporting on the investment platform, which has since been identified as a deepfake or AI-generated fabrication. The RBF has confirmed that it does not operate any public investment trading platform, and urged citizens to verify the authenticity of any financial claims they encounter online.

"We strongly condemn the unauthorised and unethical use of our brand and the likeness and voice of our presenter in an attempt to mislead the public," stated Fiji TV in a formal statement. The network emphasized that the video was not produced, authorized, or endorsed by the organization, and warned that such misinformation undermines public trust in journalism and breaches personal privacy and professional integrity.

The RBF has taken the matter seriously, and Governor Ariff Ali has reportedly filed a complaint with Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to have the video removed from its platforms. The central bank also warned the public that it would not be held responsible for any financial decisions made based on the contents of the fake video.

This is not the first time Fijians have been targeted by such scams. Earlier this week, the Bank of South Pacific (BSP) also issued a warning to its customers about fraudulent advertisements claiming to be from the bank. BSP Country Head Haroon Ali advised users to delete any suspicious messages asking them to click on links for Internet Banking and to immediately report the issue to the bank.

In 2023, a similar scam led to hundreds of Fijians falling victim to one of the largest online investment frauds in the country's history, causing widespread financial distress. The incidents have highlighted the urgent need for greater public awareness and education on identifying and avoiding investment scams.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, authorities and organizations are urging the public to remain cautious and to report any suspicious activity immediately to the appropriate financial institutions or regulatory bodies.