The man who promised thousands of people jobs in Kuwait a few years ago is back in Fiji and going around freely with a big sign outside his house of another recruitment drive for Dubai.

Back in 2004 and 2005, the Fiji Police had started investigating Timoci Lolohea who said that he was the recruiting agent for Meridian Services in Fiji.

Over a certain period of time, it was reported by Fijivillage back in 2005 that Lolohea had received a job registration fee of $150 from each person hoping to go to Kuwait.

People also gave more than $150, some $250 or $300.

Fijivillage had established through the Meridian Services Office in Suva that they had received registration fees from 20,000 locals and Lolohea was out of the country.

This brings the total amount collected by Lolohea and his company to $3 million.
 
Lolohea did not return to Fiji and none of the people who gave him the job registration fees were given employment in Kuwait.

They waited and then took the matter to the police.

The then Deputy Police Commissioner Moses Driver had started investigations but nothing could be done as Lolohea's whereabouts were unknown.

Although the Laisenia Qarase led government had first shown signs of support to the recruitment drive, it then became concerned and the then Labour Minister Kenneth Zinck was sent to Kuwait for a fact finding mission.

However, nothing could be done by the local police as Lolohea was out of the country.

Lolohea had gone to villages and church groups around the country and people thought that thousands of Fijians will be going to Kuwait and sending the much needed money back home.

Lolohea has been sighted a number of times over the past week, mainly near his home in Nadonumai.

Some government officials have confirmed to us that Lolohea's investigation file is still open.

However, the Police have said that they will speak to us later on Loloea.

We called Lolohea in the last hour and his wife said that Lolohea is busy and will not speak to anyone.  

Fijivillage has also received confirmation that most of Lolohea's bank accounts in Fiji are frozen since the investigation started.

We have received information that he is trying to get the freeze lifted so that he can access the funds.

All we can confirm at this stage is that the bank accounts have a large amount of funds.

Meanwhile, the head of the Nadera Methodist Church circuit, Reverend Ilaisa Tulele has revealed that 16 of their members had taken $2,000 of the church's funds to try and pay for the job registration fees demanded by Lolohea's company.

Reverend Tulele said the money was given in 2005 on the understanding that the 16 church members would reimburse the church funds once they start working in Kuwait.

He said if Lolohea is back in the country, he should refund the money he took from the people.

Reverend Tulele confirmed that the two thousand dollars is yet to be paid back.