The Fiji National Provident Fund has warned members that it will prosecute those attempting to defraud the Fund in regards to their withdrawal application.

Fund Chief Executive Mr Aisake Taito said FNPF has strict verification procedures to substantiate all details submitted to FNPF for withdrawal purposes.

The warning follows the successful prosecution of members who provided false information to support their withdrawals. These include:

• A member, who falsified documents to obtain $60,000 withdrawal for his house and was granted $2,000 as the first pay out from FNPF. Fund Inspectors visited the site and found that the house was being built on another person’s land;
• A member, who obtained $5,900 by providing false documents to the Fund, was ordered by the courts to repay the sum the fraudulently acquired; 
• In Lautoka, a man was fined for obtaining $5,000 from FNPF by falsifying documents. His sentencing • includes repaying the sum obtained to the Fund;
• A member was also fined for obtaining $2,500 by furnishing false documents for housing finance assistance. The Fund’s housing inspectors found that even though receipts were provided to the Fund, no visible progress on construction works were sighted.

Mr Taito added that members should always ensure the protection of their hard earned savings for the benefit of their retirement.