Authorities Caution Public Over Fraud Linked to Housing Projects
Public warned to stay vigilant amid increasing housing and flat allocation fraud | Photo: MV+
Authorities have warned the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes linked to housing projects and flat allocations, amid a rise in scam attempts across the Maldives.
The Housing Development Corporation has said it has received reports of individuals impersonating the corporation to obtain personal information from the public through phone calls, text messages and the messaging application Viber. The corporation clarified that it does not contact applicants via Viber or regular phone calls for any matters related to housing projects or flat allocations, and urged the public to disregard such communications and report any suspicious activity.
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The warning comes as scam attempts continue to increase nationwide. Police have previously cautioned both landlords and tenants about fraudulent schemes associated with housing programmes, highlighting that scammers are increasingly exploiting public interest in such initiatives.
Scammers have also adopted a range of other tactics, including impersonating government officials and posing as fundraisers for medical emergencies. Just last week, police flagged a scam involving false claims of raising funds to assist a cancer patient.
