🌴 #08 Fiji Flow: Data Leaks, Cult Peaks & Copy-Paste Chaos

Bula FijiFlow Fam,

This edition is bringing the heat—both in headlines and on the grill. 🔥📬

Fiji’s Immigration Department is using a free online form to collect sensitive data (yikes), while the Grace Road empire is back in the spotlight with a deep dive into its power and influence.

Meanwhile, the real estate scene is getting spicy with agents “borrowing” photos, and a BBQ boss is making waves—not just for his meats but for roasting his critics online. 🍖💨

Oh, and apparently porn has an economic impact now? We’ll try to make sense of that.

Scroll on and dig in!

🚨 Fiji’s Immigration Data – Free for All?

Imagine submitting your passport, birth certificate, or visa documents to Fiji’s Immigration Department, only to find out they’re being collected through a free online form builder. Sounds risky? That’s exactly what a concerned reader discovered while applying for a Citizenship Eligibility Search—and they’re raising the alarm.

Fiji Immigration’s online application process is using Jotform (free-tier version) that lacks the robust security required for handling ultra-sensitive government data.

Why This is a Problem 🚨

• Security Risks: Free online platforms are common targets for hackers, meaning thousands of Fijians’ and foreign residents’ personal and legal information could be exposed.

• Lack of Oversight: There’s no clear indication of how this data is stored, who has access, or whether it’s protected from misuse—raising serious concerns.

• Trust Issues: If you had to upload your private documents, would you feel comfortable knowing they’re stored on a basic online form tool with no clear safeguards?

✈️ Passport Delays: A Never-Ending Tale?

Not to kick Immigration while they’re down… but here we are, talking about another issue plaguing the department. If you’ve been following Fiji’s passport saga, you’ll know this isn’t a new storyline—just a frustrating sequel.

Back in 2012, we were told passport delays would soon be a thing of the past. Fast forward to 2025, and here we are once again, with the Ministry of Immigration rationing passports due to—you guessed it—a stock shortage.

🕵️ Investigative Spotlight

🔎 Cult, Commerce & Control: The Grace Road Empire in Fiji

Strap in and pour yourself a drink—this one’s a ride. It was locked behind a paywall, but thanks to a generous reader, we’ve got it gift-wrapped and ready for you. And trust us, it’s worth every word.

This investigation by Pete McKenzie (published on 7th February 2025) dives into the eerie rise of a religious cult that found a safe haven in Fiji, transforming itself into an economic force while dodging law enforcement. A gripping read that unveils the blurred lines between business, faith, and political influence.

📥 Click below and decide for yourself: How does a cult become one of a nation's biggest business players?

🍽 Food Guide

☕ A Brew-tiful Surprise in Nakasi!

If you’re on the hunt for a café with a twist, Special Brew Coffee House delivers the perfect mix of great food, unique interiors, and warm, inviting vibes. Whether it’s a casual catch-up, a quiet work session, or a business meeting with a side of premium coffee, this spot is serving up an experience worth savouring.

🍜 Get Slurpy in Suva—Crazy Noodle is Here to Spice Things Up!

Fiji’s first Korean ramyeon bar (Damodar City, Suva) lets you mix, match, and customise your perfect bowl—just pick your noodles, stack on the toppings, and dive into bold, slurp-worthy flavours. Spicy, cheesy, or stacked with extras—whatever your style, this spot delivers the ultimate noodle fix, fast and fun.

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⚡Entertainment

Real Estate Wars: The Case of the Copy-Paste Cowboys 🤠

In the wild west of Fiji’s real estate scene, things just got… interesting. Picture this: You carefully craft a listing, take the perfect property shots, and write compelling copy—only for another agent to take the very same photos and use them as their own.

Flattery or foul play? Paula Benn seems to think it’s the latter, calling out Khelvin Realtors for allegedly “borrowing” her listing images. The response? Khelvin’s Lautoka branch claims they had no idea and blames the mystery on a rogue salesperson. But instead of owning up completely, they suggest a simple phone call could have sorted things out—because nothing screams professionalism like a "Hey, did you just steal my photos?" chat.

Enter Daniel Lal, who wasn’t buying the diplomatic approach…

🍗 Great BBQ or Just Great Drama? The Grillenium Debate

When it comes to BBQ in Fiji, one name that seems to pop up in our feed —Grillenium Grub House in Saweni. Readers have been curious: Is it any good? The owner certainly thinks so. But if you’re planning on leaving a review, you better come correct—because this BBQ boss doesn’t just flame-grill his meats, he roasts his critics too.

A quick scroll through his social media battlefield shows a pattern: praise the food, or prepare for war. We’ve seen everything from personal insults to full-blown keyboard brawls, all over what appears to be fairly mild feedback.

Now, let’s be real—confidence in your product is one thing, but when defending your food turns into insulting potential customers, you’re not exactly stoking the flames of brand loyalty. In a service-driven industry, word of mouth is everything, and for now, it looks like Grillenium’s biggest heat isn’t coming from the BBQ, but from its social media presence.

So, should we make the trek to Saweni for a review? We put the question to you, and for now, it looks like this one will have to wait.

💬 Opinion

The Economics of… That? 🤔💰

Fiji is no stranger to internet trends, but this latest statistic has eyebrows raised and jaws dropping—15 terabytes of data per day consumed on adult content. That’s right, a national pastime that, according to officials, carries an economic impact.

But here’s where it gets truly bizarre—officials claim this has a substantial economic toll, estimating FJ$130,000 per quarter spent purely on porn data costs.

💭 The Real Question: Economic Impact?

The claim that porn costs the Fijian economy is highly debatable unless the argument is that it diverts productivity or incurs bandwidth strain. If anything, ISPs are profiting from the demand, so it’s unclear why it’s being positioned as a loss rather than just a consumer spending choice.

✨ Videos of the Week 🌴

Only in Fiji

If you’ve driven through Barara Flats near Sabeto, you’ve probably seen some questionable road maneuvers—but this one takes the cake. A bold (or wildly confused) driver decided that sticking to their lane was optional and went straight into oncoming traffic!

Rain or shine, these cameramen are on the job—literally on top of the world (or at least the stadium). 🎥☔ Their dedication is unmatched, braving the downpour to bring you every rugby moment. Now that’s next-level commitment.

That’s a wrap for this edition, legends! We’ll be back in a fortnight with more unfiltered local stories, trending chatter, and the kind of insights you won’t get anywhere else.

If you got a kick out of this, pass it on—good journalism (and cheeky commentary) is best shared. And if you haven’t already, follow us on our socials to keep the conversation going.

Vinaka, and see you soon!