Kisione To’aho has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for defrauding customers of nearly $30,000.
Kisione To’aho, owner of Getpert Computers, pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining money by false pretences. He accepted payments from customers for vehicles that were never delivered.
In June 2024, Sino Union Economic Trading Ltd paid To’aho $19,800 for a vehicle, which he promised would arrive the following week. Despite repeated assurances, the car was never delivered, prompting the company to seek a refund and report the matter to police.
Similarly, in March 2024, Mele Veatupu paid To’aho $9,800 for a Nissan Note intended for transport to Vava’u. The vehicle was never delivered.
Supreme Court judge Tupou sentenced To’aho to 16 months imprisonment for the fraud charges, with an additional eight months added due to activating a previous suspended sentence. Under strict conditions, the final four months were suspended for two years.
To’aho, described by his town officer as a “trustworthy and hardworking” community member, expressed remorse and a willingness to repay the victims. He will be subject to mandatory probation supervision and required to complete a life skills or rehabilitation program upon release.
In a separate case, Filimone To’aho was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 2024 for defrauding customers of over $230,000 through similar schemes.
