Samoa family duped in visa scam
Apia, SAMOA — A Samoan family has ended up paying close to US$66,900 (AU$100,000) to a Samoan woman who had promised them residency in Australia but the family now believes they have been scammed.
Saivaaia Mauava, 43-years-old, from Faaleasiu shared in an interview with Samoa Observer the deep shame and embarrassment she is experiencing as a victim of a scammer who fooled her and her family into believing that she could get them Australian visas.
She hopes that by telling her story, people will become aware and not fall prey to such people.
According to Mauava, she met the scammer in October of 2022 through a seasonal worker as she was in Australia under the seasonal work scheme.
She said her sister and she started giving the woman money because it was what they wanted for their family.
Meanwhile, the family is yet to file a complaint with the Police, however, they aim to do this sometime next week.