Frustration and anger are brewing amongst members in Taro, Choiseul Province, over F-Mobile—an online money scheme also known as Friendship Money—as promised payments have failed to materialise.
Concerns over the scheme have surfaced not only in Choiseul this year but also in Western Province, including Gizo, as well as Rannoga, Simbo, Vella, Noro, Munda, and Honiara.
Many members who joined the platform last year are still waiting for the large sums of money they were promised after registering with F-Mobile.
F-Mobile gained popularity in Taro last year and was aggressively promoted on social media and private messaging groups as a lucrative online business opportunity.
According to a member who spoke to Solomon Star on condition of anonymity, promoters promised unusually high financial returns within a short period, attracting many locals seeking alternative sources of income.
The source said, recruitment relied heavily on personal networks, with participants encouraged to register quickly and invite others, under assurances that payments were guaranteed once certain requirements were met.
However, attempts by members to seek clarification from local promoters through group messaging platforms have reportedly been met with silence or vague responses, deepening suspicions within the community.
“Recently, our group chat has gone quiet. Many members are now afraid this could be a scam,” the member said.
“When we ask questions, we are told to wait, but no one knows when we will actually receive our money.”
He added that many participants now fear losing their investments if the scheme collapses.
Others also expressed frustration and disappointment over what they described as a lack of transparency and accountability.
“We were promised a huge amount of money after joining the scheme, but nothing has come through,” another member said, also requesting anonymity.
Sources claimed that many members who joined later lost thousands of dollars and are still waiting for returns, while only a few benefited for a short period.
Previously, social media was flooded with images and videos of members displaying cash allegedly earned through F-Mobile.
However, such posts have since disappeared, and group chats have remained silent since last year.
Many members are now questioning whether F-Mobile will resume operations or has completely disappeared.
“Some people are now demanding refunds for the money they paid during when they first registered at the time when recruitment carried out by promoter or agent recruiter from the F- Mobile scheme.
“Most of the locals are the victims who are trying to make and earn a living now affected.”
Reports said, a number of rural villagers were also lured into investing their money in the scheme.
New members paid around $300 to start and will need three people to push him/her up the ladder.
It gets complicated and hit a dead end when the others below cannot find more people to sign up and register.
According to the company, early participants have already earned thousands of Solomon dollars, with one woman claiming to have made over SBD $100,000 within a month.
The company is headed by Ron Capua, a Filipino entrepreneur based in Beverly Hills, California.
He is also the founder and CEO of World Class Wireless Network, LLC, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing and Management.
The lack of verified legal registration and operational transparency has further raised red flags.
Despite its popularity, digital finance observers have expressed concern about the scheme.
A senior ICT officer, speaking on condition of anonymity last year, urged the public to exercise caution when engaging in online income schemes, particularly those heavily reliant on referral systems.
“Not all digital platforms are sustainable or transparent. People should take time to understand how these schemes operate before committing their money,” the officer warned.
Currently, Solomon Islands has no specific regulatory framework governing digital income schemes, leaving participants vulnerable to potential scams and financial losses.
While some F-Mobile members reportedly received cash through online transactions and shared evidence of their earnings, the scheme does not appear to be regulated as a licensed telecommunications or financial operator in Solomon Islands.
As a result, its user numbers and activities are not monitored by relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, sources also claimed that F-Mobile money scheme will established it’s office in Honiara however nothing have been materilzed since rumors spreading last year.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
