Fiji Investigates How Alleged Tax Fraud Suspect Fled Despite Travel Ban

Fiji's government is scrambling to understand how a prominent businessman, Dickson Peng, allegedly involved in a FJ$23 million tax fraud case, managed to leave the country despite an active stop-departure order. Peng, described as a Chinese national and owner of an electronics company, is accused of defrauding the Fijian government of millions in tax dating back to 2019.

Peng, who was also a significant financier for the previous FijiFirst administration, has been at the center of other controversies. His real estate development company, Freesoul Real Estate Development, was previously fined FJ$1 million for causing significant damage to a coral reef while attempting to build a resort on Malolo Island. That scandal was brought to light by New Zealand-based news outlet Newsroom.

According to Fiji Sun, Peng departed Fiji in April. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service CEO, Udit Singh, has pointed to past leadership at the tax office as responsible for the fraud case, while declining to comment on why Peng's businesses remained operational. Singh stated that Peng allegedly created false invoices, falsified sales records, and claimed fraudulent Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds.

Fiji's Immigration Minister Viliame Naupoto confirmed that the anti-corruption office is investigating the matter. The permanent secretary of the Immigration Ministry, Aliki Salusalu, has assured that an internal investigation is underway to determine how Peng was able to bypass the stop-departure order, stating, "It's not supposed to happen."

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It's not supposed to happen