The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission has called for transparency when firms and individuals raise funds for charity.

The FCCC stresses that those who raise funds must establish a system of accountability and transparency and ensure funds reach the intended recipients.

A recent investigation by FCCC has brought to light the inadequacies of current governance systems in charity organisations.

Chief executive Joel Abraham says FCCC had to intervene in a case where a prominent church had solicited funds from members to be sent overseas with promises of millions in return.

He says it looks like the church was falling for a scam, but people have a tendency to not question figures of authority, especially in religious institutions

The chief executive says another well-known example of this is the Lagilagi Housing Project.

Abraham says the project was launched with the intent to offer people living in the Lagilagi Squatter settlement better conditions with an affordable payment plan.

However, the investigation revealed that deposits were collected from other people who were not eligible for the scheme.