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Businessman Handed Suspended Sentence for Passport Fraud

Posted by Media Team 07 August 2026

A Suva businessman has been handed a suspended sentence after being found guilty of conspiring to influence public officials.

Resident Magistrate Shelyn Kiran today sentenced Ma Li at the Suva Magistrates Court after he was convicted on 1 Count of Conspiracy to Influence Public Officials, following charges laid by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

69-year-old Mr Li was convicted on 22 April 2026.

The Court found that on or about 20 May 2016, he conspired with others to procure the production and issuance of 2 Fijian passports for 2 non-citizens, with the intent of dishonestly influencing officers of the Department of Immigration in the exercise of their official duties.

In sentencing, the Court acknowledged that the offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and adopted a starting point of 24 months imprisonment.

While the offending was serious, the Court found the actual harm to be limited as the passports were never issued or used, and there was no evidence of any monetary exchange.

The Court also considered several mitigating factors, including Mr Li's age, health condition (diabetes), previous good character, cooperation with investigators, remorse, and the delay in concluding the proceedings.

Mr Li was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 5 years.

Mr Li was represented by Mr Gavin O'Driscoll.

The prosecution was [LR1.1]handled by Manager Legal Mr Joseph Work.