Businessman and sports leader face fraud charges

Apia, SAMOA – 28 March 2024 – Fraud charges have been filed in the District Court against businessman and sports leader, Seti Afoa. The charges were filed with the Registrar on the 25 March, 2024 by way of a private prosecution.

A statement from GP Law firm said the charges include obtain by deception, and of attempting to obtain by deception in relation to the continuation of the registration of Samoa Cycling as an incorporated society with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL). These charges come under the Crimes Act 2013.

Afoa is the President of the now-defunct Cycling Federation of Samoa (Samoa Cycling) which was deregistered by MCIL on 24 November 2023. Samoa Cycling had not held an Annual General Meeting or had its financial accounts audited since it was first established in 2018. Until it was removed from the Register, Samoa Cycling was recognized by SASNOC as the governing body for the sport of cycling in Samoa.

In July 2023, members of Samoa Cycling – Darren and Lani Young – wrote to MCIL with their concerns about the governance of their sport. They informed MCIL that Afoa was using his personal bank account in New Zealand to receive funding from international cycling bodies. This funding was given for the development of Samoa’s cyclists.

Seti Afoa is the owner and director of Samoa Events which organises multisport events throughout the Pacific. Local events organised by Afoa include the Samoa Swim Series, Warrior Race and the Cycle Tour of Samoa.

According to the summons, the accused must appear before the District Court of Samoa on 16 April, 2024.