The Fijian Government has issued a public warning after an investigation uncovered an alleged fraudulent recruitment operation targeting people seeking jobs in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
Fiji’s Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations said two individuals allegedly carried out unauthorised recruitment activities in Vatukoula and Martintar, Nadi, falsely claiming to represent Top of the Crop, a legitimate Australian employer participating in the PALM scheme.
According to the Ministry, the pair allegedly collected money from members of the public while offering overseas employment opportunities, despite having no authority to recruit or act on the company’s behalf.
Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh said the government was treating the matter seriously and would continue working with law enforcement agencies to protect Fijians seeking overseas employment.
“The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme is a government-to-government arrangement between Fiji and Australia that is carefully managed through approved recruitment processes,” Minister Singh said.
“Fijians should be wary of anyone claiming to offer overseas jobs or requesting payments outside these official channels.”
Following reports of the alleged scam, Ministry officials, together with the Fiji Police Force, intercepted a gathering of about 80 people at a church hall in Martintar. The two individuals were taken in for questioning.
A formal police report has been lodged at Namaka Police Station, with the Criminal Investigation Department now investigating the matter. The Ministry is also collecting statements from people believed to have been affected.
Minister Singh urged job seekers to verify all overseas employment opportunities directly with the Ministry before making payments, submitting personal documents or accepting job offers.
He also encouraged anyone who believes they may have been targeted by the alleged scam to come forward and assist investigators.
The Ministry said it would continue working closely with the Fiji Police Force, Australian authorities and PALM scheme partners to safeguard the integrity of Fiji’s labour mobility programmes while supporting the ongoing investigation.
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