Api La Savate agent denied entry to Pentecost villages

January 26, 2026 10:45 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Hilaire Bule.

Reports from Pentecost say an agent of the Api La Savate alleged pyramid scheme was barred from entering her own village to conduct awareness of the scheme.

Daniel Tabi from Vanis village said the agent, a woman originally from the same village, was asked to stay away from both Vanis and the nearby village of Gun.

“The people of these villages are tired of conmen,” Tabi said. “Many are still suffering financially from the APMA Financial Investment Centre (AFIC) scheme run by Barnabas Tabi. Villagers invested millions of vatu earned from kava sales, but their money has not been refunded.”

He added that three other conmen previously collected millions of vatu from Pentecost residents under promises of quick wealth, but no money was returned.

“This time, the agent is a woman,” Tabi said. “Perhaps the scheme believed a female agent could persuade villagers more easily. But people have learned from past mistakes and will not fall for it again.”

Tabi said that after being refused entry to her village, the agent was spotted over the weekend at Vanmelang near Ranwadi High School. “It is school entry time. Parents need money for their children’s education, not pyramid schemes,” he said.

Chief Philip Tanmonok of Vanmelang said he unknowingly picked up the agent at Lonorore Airport last week. “I thought she was a Catholic nun,” he said. The agent is indeed a former nun who lives in Port Vila.

Chief Tanmonok added that he heard she held awareness meetings at Vanmelang but could not confirm if any money was collected.

It is not yet clear whether the scheme has reached other islands, though the police issued a national scam alert last week.

Apitone Tokotuu, the man behind the Api La Savate scheme, left Vanuatu over the weekend following a notice from Immigration to depart voluntarily. He is now a prohibited immigrant and cannot re-enter the country.