Suva Couple Charged for Fraud in Parenthood Assistance Claim

December 8, 2023

A couple in Suva faces corruption charges for falsely declaring their infant’s birth date on a Parenthood Assistance Payment form, allegedly obtaining FJD$500.

Kelereani Waqauru is charged with General Dishonesty, while Noa Bola is charged with Aiding and Abetting.

It is alleged that between 1 February 2019 to 28 February 2019, Waqauru with the intention to dishonesty obtain a gain had falsely declared on the Parenthood Assistance Payment Programme Form that her infant baby was born after 1 August 2018 and is not deceased and obtained a gain amounting to FJD$500 from the Ministry of Economy.

They appeared in court yesterday, and were granted non-cash bail of $1,000, ordered not to re-offend, and must report to FICAC monthly.

The court set a plea and legal representation date for 31 January 2024.

Passed in the 2018/2019 National Budget, the initiative was aimed to assist low-income families cover the costs of raising a newborn, including infancy and primary school costs.

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