Saturday, February 21, 2026
Newsletter
Support Kaniva
Home Blog Page 6

LDS arson case followed by Tongans in US ends with 30-year prison term

By
Kalino Latu
-

A United States federal court has brought to a close a church arson case that was closely followed by Tongan communities both in Tonga and overseas, particularly in Utah, home to one of the largest Tongan populations in the United States.

According to ABC4, a Mississippi man who deliberately set fire to a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, following his conviction on multiple serious charges.

Details of the crime and court outcome

The defendant, Stefan Rowold, 37, was sentenced on Tuesday to 360 months, equivalent to 30 years, in federal prison after a jury found him guilty in September 2025 of six counts of federal arson and civil rights violations.

According to the United States Department of Justice, evidence presented during the trial showed that Rowold deliberately targeted the LDS meetinghouse in Wiggins, Mississippi, because of his hostility toward what he believed were the church’s religious beliefs.

On July 5 and July 7, 2024, Rowold broke into the church building, vandalised the walls with hateful messages, and set fires inside the property.

The Department of Justice said Rowold admitted to police that he ignited the fires using church hymnals, paintings, and other religious materials as kindling in the building’s multipurpose room. After learning that the first fire had not destroyed the structure, he returned two days later to ignite a second fire, even after police had attempted to secure the scene.

As a result of the damage, members of the local LDS congregation were unable to hold worship services in the building for several months. During sentencing, the federal court ordered Rowold to pay US$176,564 in restitution to cover repairs and property damage.

Federal prosecutors told the court that the offence represented not only the destruction of property, but a direct violation of religious freedom and civil rights, which are protected under US federal law.

Investigation and Prosecution

The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Field Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal, and the Wiggins Police Department.

The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Buckner of the Southern District of Mississippi, alongside trial attorney Chloe Neely from the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

The case attracted widespread attention after news and images of the burning LDS church circulated online in 2024, prompting concern among Tongan church members in Utah, California, Hawai‘i, and Tonga, according to posts seen by Kaniva News at the time.

Many Tongans living overseas have close family and church ties to LDS congregations in the United States, and the attack was widely shared within the community.

In Utah in particular, LDS churches often function not only as places of worship, but also as important cultural and social centres for Tongan families.

Source: ABC4; United States Department of Justice

Tonga, New Zealand issue travel health advice amid Nipah virus concern

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Health authorities in Tonga and New Zealand are urging travellers to remain vigilant.

People who feel unwell are being advised to seek immediate medical attention amid continued concerns about the Nipah virus.

The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans.

It is most commonly linked to fruit bats, which are considered the virus’s natural host, and in some cases pigs.

Human infections have previously been associated with close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

Serious illness with rapid progression

Health experts warn that symptoms of Nipah virus infection can begin mildly but may escalate quickly.

Early symptoms often include fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue, but in more severe cases the virus can cause brain inflammation (encephalitis) and serious respiratory illness, which may be life‑threatening.

Medical specialists stress that early diagnosis and care are critical, as there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus. Supportive medical care remains the primary approach for managing cases.

Advice from Tonga’s Ministry of Health

The Tonga Ministry of Health has reminded travellers and the public to act quickly if they feel unwell after travel or animal exposure.

“If you feel unwell after travel or contact with animals, seek medical attention immediately,” the Ministry said.

Officials emphasised the importance of telling health workers about any recent travel history or contact with animals, particularly in regions where Nipah virus has been reported.

New Zealand updates travel advice

In New Zealand, the ongoing situation has prompted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to update its travel advice for New Zealanders planning to travel to India, following reports of Nipah virus cases there.

While the developments have raised public awareness, experts say the overall risk to New Zealand remains low.

Speaking to Breakfast on 1News, University of Otago professor and evolutionary virologist Jemma Geoghegan said there was a “low risk” of a Nipah virus outbreak in New Zealand.

“This virus is sort of a natural virus for fruit bats, but it does spread over to humans, and it can spill over in several ways,” she said.

“Humans can have direct contact with bats, for example, their faeces, urine and saliva from bats, and humans can be infected with that.”

How the virus spreads

Health authorities say Nipah virus transmission can occur through:

  • Direct contact with infected fruit bats or their bodily fluids
  • Exposure to contaminated food or surfaces
  • Contact with infected animals such as pigs
  • Close contact with an infected person in some situations

For travellers, avoiding contact with wild animals, practising good hygiene, and following local health guidance are considered key preventative measures.

Authorities in both Tonga and New Zealand say they are continuing to monitor international developments closely and will update health and travel guidance as needed.

Members of the public are encouraged to rely on official health advice and not to panic, while remaining alert to symptoms and taking sensible precautions when travelling overseas.

Tonga’s democracy shows signs of reset through improved press conferences

By
Kalino Latu
-

Commentary – Although the government must continue strengthening democratic structures that prioritise journalism, the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office ahead of tomorrow’s inaugural press conference signals more than routine communication; it marks a reset.

Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua

For the first time since Tonga’s 2010 Democratic Reforms, the organisation of the government press conference reflects a deliberate move toward formality, clarity, and institutional respect, rather than openness without structure.

The introduction of weekly press conferences by former governments was widely welcomed as a democratic advance. It signalled a willingness to face the media regularly and to speak directly to the public.

That approach aligned well with post‑2010 expectations of transparency and open government.

Over time, however, weaknesses became evident.

READ MORE:

With few boundaries around question scope or format, press conferences sometimes drifted away from policy substance. Questions occasionally moved into personal areas unrelated to governance, while others lacked relevance to Cabinet responsibility.

The result, at times, was unnecessary tension, unfocused exchanges, and responses that diminished the stature of both the office and the forum itself.

More problematic was the fact that previous press conferences were livestreamed to the public on social media, where exchanges involving both ministers and journalists were often subjected to intense public reaction, including criticism and, at times, ridicule.

More mature model

The Prime Minister’s Office announcement yesterday signals a different approach.

It states that this is a formal national press conference, clearly defined in purpose, scope, duration, and protocol. Cabinet Ministers will present their 100‑Day Work Plans, allowing the public to understand—through the media—what the government intends to deliver in its initial period.

Importantly, journalists are invited to ask questions specifically related to these work plans. Far from limiting scrutiny, this focus encourages sharper, more relevant questioning and more meaningful answers.

Restoring respect for the forum

Several aspects of the new arrangements reflect a conscious effort to strengthen the standing of the press conference itself:

  • Defined camera placement and broadcast rules
  • Visible identification of journalists by media outlet
  • Time limits on questions
  • A fixed one‑hour duration
  • Proceedings conducted in the Tongan language
  • A national dress requirement reflecting the dignity of the event

Taken together, these measures transform the press conference from an arena of ad hoc questioning—frequently met with claims that ministers are unavailable—into a civic forum of national importance that acknowledges both the role of the media and the authority of the offices represented.

This is a signal of confidence, not control.

Transparency with discipline

Some may question whether limiting the scope of questions risks narrowing accountability. However, this is precisely the purpose of a press conference: it is intended to be brief, focused, and direct, concentrating on the key issue the government seeks to communicate clearly to an attentive and informed public.

Other matters should be directed to the relevant authorities.

The Prime Minister’s Office statement makes this clear by instructing that questions outside the session’s scope be submitted directly to the Prime Minister’s Press Office, thereby clarifying how and where different forms of accountability should take place.

From Silence to Structure

It is hoped that the Prime Minister will treat this opportunity for public submission with the seriousness it warrants and formally entrench the approach within a legal framework.

Historically, journalists have raised persistent concerns that requests for comment or clarification directed to government ministries were frequently ignored or went unanswered, reflecting a lack of seriousness in the government’s stated commitment to transparency and accountability.

At times, the government advised journalists during press conferences that additional information would be provided later to clarify issues, creating the impression of openness and transparency. However, the promised press releases were often never issued, leaving the media with no further details.

Worse still, some past prime ministers lost their temper and publicly scolded journalists during press conferences. In one instance, a prime minister even ridiculed a female journalist who had emailed him with tough questions about his policies.

A promising signal

As the Fakafanua administration’s first formal press conference, the organisational choices being made matter. They suggest a government that seeks new ways to engage more effectively with the media—not by retreating from scrutiny, but by professionalising its approach.

If sustained, this model has the potential to strengthen both governance and journalism, improving policy scrutiny while preserving respect for national office.

It is a quiet change, but a meaningful one.

Since 2010, Tonga has sought not only democratic openness, but democratic maturity. Tomorrow’s press conference appears to mark a step in that direction.

Court orders arrest warrant for Pita Foliaki Hopoate; appearance set for February 13

By
Kalino Latu
-

An arrest warrant has been ordered for Mormon Church leader Pita Foliaki Hopoate after he failed to appear before Tonga’s Magistrates’ Court in connection with an ongoing legal dispute involving co‑alumni member Epalahame Taukeiʻaho.

Piveni Piukala (L) with Pita Foliaki Hopoate

The development comes amid an Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into former Police Minister Piveni Piukala, following allegations that he helped Hopoate flee the Kingdom despite a court‑imposed restraining order.

Kakalu ʻo Tonga online reported that when the matter was called in court on 15 December, neither Hopoate nor his legal counsel was present, prompting the court to take further action. Hopoate is believed to have left Tonga in late October.

Senior Police Court Judge Ane Tavo Mailangi subsequently ordered that Hopoate be brought before the court on 13 February 2026, the outlet said.

READ MORE:

As Kaniva News previously reported, Piukala has confirmed during one of his online livestream programmes that he provided the assistance after being approached for help.

The incident has sparked debate over allegations of political interference, concerns about cabinet governance and accountability, the independence of leadership roles from ministerial influence, and the enforcement of court orders.

Former Customs Minister Mateni Tapueluelu strongly criticised Piukala over alleged interference in the court order relating to Hopoate.

Lord Vaea, who now serves as Speaker of Parliament, also criticised former Prime Minister Aisake Eke for what he described as a lack of action against Piukala.

Eke later suspended Piukala, saying he had been contacted by the ACC Commissioner.

Following the incident, Immigration and Customs officers accused of facilitating Hopoate’s departure were dealt with by their respective ministries.

They both reportedly said they were pressured by Piukala to release Hopoate, who he claimed was in the process of resolving the matter with authorities.

Hopoate is a retired senior church leader who previously held several leadership positions, including serving as an Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints.

Australia joins global warning against BG Wealth Sharing amid concerns lessons remain unlearned among Tongans

By
Kalino Latu
-

Australian authorities have identified BG Wealth Sharing as an unlicensed entity suspected of fraudulent activity, claiming it has impersonated legitimate financial institutions, including HSBC Bank Australia Limited, to attract investors.

As a result, Australia has joined the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Tonga in issuing a formal warning, following the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) addition of the operation to its Investor Alert List on 16 January 2026.

The move comes amid an escalating war of words triggered by the promotions of the scheme within the Tongan community.

Some observers have warned that hard lessons appear to have gone unlearned from the wave of pyramid schemes that swept through the community between 2021 and 2024, leaving victims with losses totalling millions.

However, some participants who reported withdrawing funds from the scheme dismissed the criticism, saying the money was theirs and that any potential failure was a matter of personal choice.

The financial harm previously suffered by the Tongan community has resulted in multiple court cases in New Zealand and the United States, with some pyramid‑scheme promoters receiving substantial fines while others remain before the courts.

One of the most prominent examples is the HyperFund scheme, which collapsed after losses estimated at US$1.8 billion. The scheme was heavily promoted within the Tongan community by Tongan promoter Setaita Folau Tanaki, alongside its founders Sam Lee and Richard Brunton, who have recently been indicted in the United States.

READ MORE

Another was the Validus scheme, which was widely promoted within the Tongan community in Australia and New Zealand by Tongan promoter Timote Makaui. The scheme has effectively collapsed following heightened regulatory action, with its operations largely halted in 2023.

Validus claimed it had expanded rapidly from about US$10 million to roughly US$200 million in investments in the 12 months leading up to early 2023, shortly before the platform froze investor withdrawals in April 2023. Investigators and recovery firms stress that the US$200 million figure represents claimed funds invested, not verified recoverable assets or confirmed investor losses.

To date, the total number of victims and the exact scale of financial losses remain unknown, with no audited records or official victim tally released by regulators or law‑enforcement agencies

The pyramid scheme known as Tongitupe differed from HyperFund and Validus in that it was created by a Tongan national, Tilila Siolaʻa Walker‑Sumchai. The 63‑year‑old Richmond, California resident was indicted in September 2023 for allegedly operating the US$13 million Ponzi scheme.

Prosecutors say the operation targeted the Tongan community across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, with more than 1,000 victims worldwide.

What does Australia say about BG Wealth Sharing?

The regulator said the scheme is operating without a licence and may be targeting Australian consumers.

In its public notice, ASIC cautioned people to “be wary of dealing with this business,” stating that BG Wealth Sharing Investment Group, which operates through the website tradewithnick.com and also uses the alias DSJ Exchange, is not authorised to provide financial services in Australia.

The regulator said the entity does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence or credit licence and is not authorised by any licensee.

ASIC’s alert lists the operation as an unlicensed entity with no verified address and a phone number linked to 707‑342‑6229.

The regulator warned that scammers frequently change names, websites and contact details to avoid detection, and said consumers should independently check a business’s licensing status before investing.

Australia’s warning adds to a growing international consensus that BG Wealth Sharing and its associated platform DSJEX are operating as fraudulent investment schemes.

Regulators in the UK, US and Tonga issue warnings

The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a warning in May 2025, stating the scheme was providing financial services without authorisation and may be targeting UK residents.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga declared the operation a scam in December 2025, saying it was targeting Tongans both in the Kingdom and across the diaspora, including communities in New Zealand and Australia.

Regulators in North America have also raised concerns, noting that the scheme relies on fabricated profits, misleading documents and blocked withdrawals.

Across these jurisdictions, authorities have highlighted the same pattern of red flags, including pressure to reinvest larger sums, fake trading dashboards and demands for additional fees or taxes that never lead to the release of funds.

Investigative reports have also noted the scheme’s reliance on private messaging groups, community‑based recruitment and claims of fixed daily returns of up to 2.6 percent, all indicators of a Ponzi‑style operation.

ASIC reminded consumers that even if a company is not yet listed on its alert list, that does not mean it is safe or licensed. The regulator urged people to always verify the legitimacy of any business offering financial services before investing.

Earthquake reported in Vavaʻu; no tsunami threat

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A magnitude‑4.7 earthquake struck near Vava’u early this morning, but authorities say it poses no tsunami threat to Tonga.

The Tonga Meteorological Service issued a Tsunami No‑Threat Advisory after the quake, which occurred at 1:43 am local time on 28 January 2026.

The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 98 kilometres, with its epicentre located 62km north‑northwest of Neiafu, Vava’u.

After assessing data from the United States Geological Survey, the National Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that the quake was unlikely to generate a tsunami.

No further alerts are expected unless conditions change.

The National Emergency Operation Centre has not been activated, and officials say normal monitoring continues.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this morning, Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota said the tremor “was not big” and appeared to be minor. No damage or injuries have been reported.

Lapota reported the incident on Facebook shortly after it occured.

He said the tremor lasted only a few seconds.

Two receive life sentences: Ex‑prison officer and Comanchero figure; Judge urges Tonga to seek FBI help

By
Kalino Latu
-

Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in a major methamphetamine importation network, including former prison officer Tohitongi Fetuʻu and Eneasi Taumoefolau, a man linked to the Comanchero motorcycle gang.

Eneasi Taumoefolau, a senior patched member who had been deported from Australia in October 2022. For more than a year, Taumoefolau was living the high life in one of Nuku’alofa’s top hotels, which he posted on TikTok.

They were sentenced together with four co‑defendants — Mafi Lutui, Toni Tufui, Ta’ufo’ou Fale’ofa and Tevita Shoji — each of whom received lesser terms of imprisonment.

The sentencing followed an extensive ruling in which Lord Chief Justice Bishop KC urged Tongan authorities to cooperate with United States federal agencies after noting evidence of an alleged American supplier and recommending they seek FBI assistance to pursue the individual, Rodney Hala.

The court then set out the individual sentences for the four remaining defendants.

Lutui was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment, with the final two years suspended for three years on conditions, for his involvement in importing 3,544.31 grams of methamphetamine.

Tufui is serving 12 years in prison. He was originally sentenced to 15 years, with the last three years suspended, for participating in the same importation operation. Additional convictions for possessing 217.25 grams of methamphetamine and two smoking pipes were ordered to run concurrently.

Shoji was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, after being found with 2,236.08 grams of methamphetamine.

Fale‘ofa received an 11‑year sentence, with the last two years suspended, for importing 897.71 grams of methamphetamine.

Key Communications Revealed

Court documents show that Fetuʻu’s role was uncovered through communications with a U.S.-based informant between 12 and 13 August 2024. They exchanged messages via Facebook Messenger and held a video call discussing the planned shipment of a drug-filled crate to Tonga.

Location data from Fetuʻu’s phone placed it near the SF Oceania office in California when the consignment was dropped off for shipping. Further exchanges indicated that he had packed methamphetamine into a consignment addressed to Toni Sililo Tufui, concealing the drugs inside rice sacks.

Another set of messages from 7.24pm on the same evening revealed logistics being coordinated. Fetuʻu messaged: “If will pick the box tomorrow and you’ll go home and take the food while my brother‑in‑law will go with the box in the truck.”

The informant told the court he believed the crate contained food and was unaware of its true contents or ultimate consignee, but the judge noted that a jury would be entitled to regard this explanation as improbable.

Fetuʻu grew up in ʻEua before moving to Tongatapu, where he married and now has two children. He worked as a prison officer for ten years before being dismissed.

He later supported his family through seasonal manual labour in the United States, reportedly earning about $80,000 paʻanga per six‑month stint. He claimed he believed he was simply helping someone he knew and denied involvement in drug trafficking.

Financier Role Alleged

Court documents stated there was “abundant evidence” that Taumoefolau acted as the financier of the operation, or at least as a conduit for transferring money to the alleged organiser in the United States, Rodney Hala.

On 13 August 2024, a telegraphic transfer of $74,739.09 TOP (about $30,937 USD) was sent from Luxury Car Rental, a business controlled by Taumoefolau, to Hala. Additional payments were also made through members of Taumoefolau’s family.

The court document shows that, despite Hala expressing concern that not all funds had been received, Taumoefolau assured the informant the outstanding money would be paid, told him that the consignment should proceed, and allegedly explained that the transfers were disguised as motorcycle purchases.

When the shipment arrived at Taumoefolau’s residence, drone footage showed him carrying a red bag to Shoji’s vehicle. Police seized the bag when Shoji was arrested, and laboratory analysis confirmed it contained 2,236.08 grams of methamphetamine.

Probation records show Taumoefolau was born in Australia and deported to Tonga in 2022. He and his partner operate businesses in Tonga and overseas. Before returning, he worked as a professional fighter and became involved with the Hells Angels, later associating with the Comancheros through his brother’s senior role. He has no prior criminal convictions in Tonga.

The Chief Judge warned that the scale of the operation reflected a growing threat posed by large quantities of illicit drugs entering the Kingdom. He said the sentences were intended to reflect the seriousness of the offending and the danger such activities pose to the community.

New Zealand can’t ignore Tongan horse‑meat traditions any longer

By
Kalino Latu
-

Commentary – The recent removal of lo’i hoosi pies from an Auckland bakery has exposed more than just a regulatory breach — it highlights a longstanding gap between New Zealand’s food‑safety system and the lived cultural practices of its Tongan community.

Lo‘i hoosi is a traditional Tongan delicacy made from shredded, cooked horse meat mixed with coconut cream — a dish shared for generations in Tonga and across the diaspora.

While the council acted appropriately in enforcing food‑safety rules, the situation raises a deeper question: Is it time for New Zealand to legalise and properly regulate access to horse meat for a significant segment of its multicultural population? In practice, horse meat is already circulating informally at local markets, where what appear to be unlicensed suppliers sell it as “pet food,” while members of the Tongan community purchase it for human consumption.

The result is a grey market operating without transparency, food-safety oversight, or cultural recognition—leaving both consumers and sellers exposed in ways that proper regulation could resolve.

The truth is that horse meat is not new to Tongans. For generations, families in Tonga and abroad have cooked and shared lo‘i hoosi—a dish of coconut cream‑mixed shredded horse meat—making it a longstanding part of Tongan food culture. In Auckland today, it remains widely available in Tongan restaurants, church fundraisers, private family events and community gatherings.

People know where to buy it, and many have been buying it quietly for years. The demand has never disappeared — nor will it. Cultural foods are powerful markers of identity, memory and belonging.

This is where the tension arises. While it is legal to eat horse meat in New Zealand, the law requires that meat sold to the public must come from a registered, inspected processor. Yet only one facility in the entire country is licensed to supply horse meat for human consumption, which means availability is extremely limited, expensive and — in practice — inaccessible for most Tongan families.

When cultural demand is strong but legal supply is almost nonexistent, an informal and unregulated market becomes inevitable.

From a public‑health perspective, that is the real risk. Tongans are already one of the ethnic groups with the highest rates of chronic diseases in New Zealand, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Any food‑safety issue that increases risk, whether through contaminated meat or unhygienic supply chains, only places further pressure on a vulnerable population.

Shutting down illegal sales is not a solution on its own; what is needed is a safe and culturally appropriate alternative.

According to the 2023 Census, 97,824 people in New Zealand identified as Tongan.

While official government surveys consistently state that a high intake of saturated fat increases the risk of chronic disease—including from meats such as lamb—horse meat, as traditionally prepared by Tongans, is a lean protein.

This places horse meat in a potentially healthier category compared with fattier cuts such as lamb flaps, which contain significantly higher levels of fat and are widely sold in South Auckland, where many Tongans reside.

Kaniva News understands that although certain horse‑meat products were sold at Māngere fair markets in South Auckland under “pet food” labels, consumers continue to buy them to prepare lo‘i hoosi. This suggests it may now be time to seriously consider a regulated and transparent supply system.

The question New Zealand must now confront is this: Would regulated, authorised horse‑meat suppliers better protect public health than the current underground system, or the sale of horse meat as “pet food,” which people then buy to make lo‘i hoosi? The answer is likely yes. Proper licensing ensures:

  • veterinarian screening of animals
  • hygienic slaughter and processing
  • temperature control
  • traceability
  • food‑safety enforcement

These are protections the community does not receive when it is forced to rely on a single supplier that provides limited information and may be inaccessible to many, unlike other meat suppliers that are readily available locally.

New Zealand already exports horse meat to several European countries, according to MPI, so it makes little sense that the same product is not made available through local butchers.

There is also a broader equity issue at stake. New Zealand has increasingly recognised the value of cultural food practices — from hangi to umu, from Pacific fish dishes to halal and kosher butchery. Allowing authorised suppliers for horse meat specifically for cultural demand is not about promoting the practice; it is about acknowledging reality and keeping communities safe.

The question now is whether policymakers will work with the Tongan community to bring this practice into a safe, regulated space — or whether the system will continue pushing people toward unregulated, potentially unsafe alternatives.

If New Zealand truly values Pacific wellbeing, cultural identity and public health, then the time has come for a serious conversation about legal supply pathways for lo’i hoosi. Cultural foods will not disappear, but preventable harm can — if the system is willing to adapt.

New US HyperFund charges spark alarm as BG Wealth‑Style scam targets Tongans

By
Kalino Latu
-

A new U.S. indictment in the HyperFund Ponzi case has brought renewed urgency to long-standing concerns within the Tongan community, where many suffered losses before one local promoter finally warned investors.

The action underscores how a global fraud that once took root among Tongans abroad continues to cast a shadow, even as authorities move to hold its architects to account.

A U.S. grand jury has recently issued an updated indictment against Rodney Burton, 56, also known as ‘Bitcoin Rodney’, of Miami, Florida, and Prince George’s County, Maryland, for his alleged role in promoting the US$1.8 billion fraud scheme.

Burton is accused of being a key global promoter of the HyperFund network — also marketed as HyperVerse and HyperTech — which U.S. authorities have labelled a global Ponzi scheme.”

His co-promoter, Australian cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Lee, has also been charged for his alleged role in the fraud scheme alongside two others.

Prosecutors allege the operation falsely promised investors consistent, high returns through cryptocurrency-related products that generated little or no genuine revenue.

Lee’s engagement with Tongan victims was direct and in person, facilitated by U.S-based Tongan promoter Setaita Folau Tānaki, who repeatedly hosted and featured him on her Facebook livestreams to encourage community participation before the Ponzi scheme collapsed in 2024.

Kaniva News closely monitored the scheme from its emergence in the Tongan community in 2021 before its collapse, tracking online engagement and reviewing the promotional videos directed at Tongans during that period.

Scam Cycle Repeats

The scheme was aggressively promoted through livestreams, social media, and seminars.

READ MORE

Its early promotion within the Tongan community was met with mixed reactions. Some community members embraced it online after Tānaki promoted it, while others attended in‑person presentations before deciding to participate.

Meanwhile, critics voiced their concerns on social media, and several attendees confronted Tānaki at promotional meetings, accusing her of pushing a pyramid scheme and encouraging community members to invest in order to maintain her position at the top of the structure — a defining feature of such scams.

Despite the backlash, Tānaki and her loyal supporters continued to dismiss the criticism and encouraged more community members to join.

“I am withdrawing $200 a day,” she told her followers in a livestream, implying this was profit earned after depositing only a small amount into the HyperFund scheme.

The same style of promotion is now being used by BG Wealth Sharing promoters in the Tongan community.

Promoter Reverses Course

By early 2023, Tānaki abruptly changed the way she communicated with the community in what appeared to be her first public acknowledgement that the scheme she had promoted was fraudulent.

During a livestream, her tone and demeanour shifted markedly, and she urged investors to stop depositing funds as the operation unravelled, as previously reported by Kaniva News.

By then, HyperFund activity within the Tongan community had begun to fade as withdrawals stalled, associated platforms collapsed, and the scale of financial losses became increasingly clear.

According to Tānaki, many Tongans had invested more than $100,000 each, only to be blocked by the scammers and told to complete additional forms in order for their funds to be ‘considered’ for release. She said completing the forms did not guarantee that any money would be returned.

Identical Fraud Playbook

What makes the new US indictment particularly relevant now is that a near-identical scheme is again circulating among Tongans.

BG Wealth Sharing has drawn comparisons to the HyperFund scam because both operations follow the same fraud pattern: they promise unrealistic daily returns, use fake leaders and forged documents to appear legitimate, and recruit heavily through private messaging groups.

Regulators in several countries have already issued warnings against BG Wealth Sharing and its linked platform DSJEX, noting the same hallmarks seen in HyperFund — including fake profits shown on internal dashboards, blocked withdrawals, and pressure on investors to deposit more.

Both schemes also credited or paid a small number of early participants to create the illusion of legitimacy, using those apparent “success stories” as bait to convince and lure more people into the scam.

Warnings Ignored Again

BG Wealth Sharing and its partner platform DSJEX have been flagged by regulators in the U.S., Canada, and the UK as a fraudulent investment scheme.

Authorities in Washington State report complaints resembling a pump‑and‑dump operation involving impersonation of a legitimate investment firm, while warnings in California link the scam to Rancho Cordova.

International regulators have also taken action. The Alberta Securities Commission placed BG Wealth Sharing on its Investment Caution List on January 15, 2026, and the UK Financial Conduct Authority issued a warning in May 2025 declaring BG Wealth Sharing/dsjex.net an unauthorised firm.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has identified the operation as a scam, saying it is targeting the Tongan diaspora in Australia, New Zealand, and other countries abroad.

The operation shows classic scam signs: fake documents, including forged U.S. incorporation and SEC certificates; a “pig‑butchering” recruitment method using WhatsApp/Telegram groups led by fake “mentors” such as “Professor Stephen Beard”; and blocked withdrawals, with victims told to pay bogus “taxes” or “security deposits” to access their own funds.

Despite these warnings, Tongans across New Zealand, Australia, and the U.S. continue to report recruitment attempts.

Deadly Texas blaze claims Church President Tēvita Havea’s brother and sister-in-law

By
Kalino Latu
-

A deadly house fire in Texas yesterday morning has been identified as a tragedy involving a prominent Tongan family, with victims confirmed as Tongan pastor Dr Salesi Havea and his wife, Sela.

Dr Sālesi Havea (R) with his wife Sela Havea

Firefighters were called to the blaze at around 10am on Saturday (U.S. time) at a home in the 3600 block of Sweetbriar Lane.

When they arrived, they found the property engulfed in heavy flames.

Crews were informed that two occupants had already escaped the home, while two others remained trapped inside.

Authorities said the survivors suffered minor injuries, and one was transported to hospital for further treatment.

Firefighters made repeated attempts to enter the burning residence as they worked to bring the two-alarm fire under control. Once the blaze was extinguished, the couple were found dead inside the home.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No firefighters were injured during the incident.

Kaniva News understands the couple were the brother and sister-in-law of Reverend Dr Tevita Havea, President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, the Kingdom’s largest Christian denomination.

The identities of the two others who suffered minor injuries in the house fire remain unknown.

Worldwide Tongan communities unite in grief

News of the tragedy has sent shockwaves through Tongan communities in the United States, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia and abroad. Many took to social media to share condolences and offer prayers for the Havea family as they await further official updates.

“Dr Salesi and Sela were pillars of strength in our Tongan community. Their warmth, generosity and commitment to service touched everyone who knew them. Our deepest condolences go to their surviving family,” a commenter wrote in Tongan.

“The Haveas lived a life of faith and service. Their loss is deeply felt across our congregations. We honour their legacy and pray for comfort for the Havea family during this heartbreaking time.”

Messages of condolence were sent to the Havea family, who are widely known for their significant role in the Free Wesleyan Church and their longstanding commitment to education.

“They were the heart of our family. Their love, humility and guidance shaped who we are. Words cannot describe our grief, but we take comfort in knowing they lived lives of purpose and faith,” another wrote.

“Dr Salesi and Sela embodied the values of ‘ofa, fakaʻapaʻapa and fevahevaheʻaki. Their leadership and compassion strengthened our people abroad. Their memory will remain a blessing to the Tongan community.”

1...567...930Page 6 of 930
© Copyright 2026 Kaniva Tonga News & Entertainment