It was a message asking if Mrs Gardener, a Redcliffe-based Catholic, wanted to approve a payment of $349 to a business she did not recognise.

If she did not want the payment to go through, she had to call a number provided in the message to speak with a representative from her bank.

She called the number and was put in a queue, which seemed typical, and she spoke to a "very kind man".

He spoke with an Australian accent and reassured Mrs Gardener that she had "done the right thing" to notify them about the suspicious activity.

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Fijians Helping Fiji Co-operative Limited was set up last year by a Hanemel Hansen along the lines of Americans Helping America (AHA), a US organisation involved in adult adoption work leading to US citizenship.

It is understood that Mr Hansen is the chief executive officer of AHA whose US operation has been under investigation by the FBI.

He is variously described as being a New Zealander, an Australian or a Tongan who is living in the United States.

Wesleyan Church, President Reverend Tevita Banivanua, when questioned said the church did not support the FHFCL.

He said this, despite a picture of Reverend Apete Toko, head of the Country's Men's Fellowship, appearing on the Fijians Helping Fiji facebook page.

Reverend Toko was spotted in a picture during a recent FHFCL gathering where he was seated next to Ratu Meli Vesikula, the chairman of the organisation.

"Everyone is given their freedom to choose whatever organisation they wish, but I would like to confirm that the church does not hold a position in the organisation," he said.

"However, we are yet to be convinced on the allegations levelled against the organisation and we need more evidence to fully know what this organisation is about."

Fiji's prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama has also stressed that he has not and will not endorse FHFCL.

Bainimarama said he had heard that this group had gone out telling the public at large that he had endorsed their operations.

"This is not true," he said.

"I have not given my endorsement and nor will I give my endorsement to such a group as this."

Bainimarama has warned people about a similar group back in 2002/2003 led by a man from Hawaii who came with a claim of bringing in about $8 billion.

"I remember there was a big celebration in Suva Civic Centre, they were prayed over by the church and the Government officials were standing around and I remember telling the then government that it was not good; it was a con job and we need to stay out of it," Mr Bainimarama said.

Of Fijians Helping Fiji, Mr Bainimarama said: "I have no doubt that those people who have put money in there will never get their money back. It is a very sad case.

"We turn to be very gullible when it comes to projects likes this."

Source

• fijitimes.com
• fijisun.com.fj
• Image: plus.google.com