Online Shopping Scams See Year-on-Year Surge of 439%, Cybercrime Cases More Than Double 

Online shopping scams reported to the Maldives Police Service increased by 439 per cent year-on-year during the first six months of 2026, emerging as the biggest contributor to a sharp rise in cybercrime cases recorded across the country.

Police statistics show that 464 online shopping scam cases were reported between January and June this year, compared to 86 cases during the same period in 2025.

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The increase in online shopping fraud comes as overall cybercrime reports more than doubled, rising from 512 cases in the first six months of 2025 to 1,053 cases during the same period this year — an increase of more than 105 per cent.

Of the cybercrime cases reported this year, police said investigations are ongoing for 884 cases, while 457 cases have been concluded and filed after various actions were taken. The total figures also include cases submitted prior to the current reporting period.

ރާއްޖޭގައި ސައިބާ ކުށްތައް 105 އިންސައްތައަށް އިތުރުވެފައިވާއިރު، މީގެ މައިގަނޑު ސަބަބެއްގެ ގޮތުގައި ފާހަގަކުރެވިފައިވަނީ 439 އިންސައްތައިގެ ބޮޑު އިތުރުވުމެއް އައިސްފައިވާ އޮންލައިން ޝޮޕިންގ ސްކޭމްތަކެވެ.

⭕️ އިތުރު ތަފްސީލް: https://t.co/MY9FMehXRX pic.twitter.com/0sSsLZSp5G— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) July 14, 2026

Social Media Scams Rise by 626 Per Cent

Following online shopping scams, social media-based scams recorded the second-largest increase among cybercrime categories.

Cases involving scams conducted through social media platforms rose from 15 cases in the first six months of 2025 to 109 cases this year, marking a 626 per cent increase.

Police statistics also showed a rise in scams involving fraudulent foreign currency exchange services, with cases increasing from 56 to 103 during the same period — an 83 per cent increase.

Police said the rise in cybercrime is largely driven by the increasing use of digital platforms by criminals to deceive individuals and obtain money through fraudulent activities.

MVR 1.68 Million Lost to Scams in March

The increase in online scams follows continued warnings from authorities over digital fraud targeting members of the public.

In March, the Maldives Police Service reported that MVR 1.68 million was lost to financial scams during that month, with 198 scam cases recorded.

Police said MVR 690,000 of the amount lost had been recovered in connection with 37 cases.

Public Vigilance Key to Preventing Cybercrime

Police said fraudulent activities exploiting technological developments continue to evolve, with criminals adopting new methods to deceive victims.

While the police continue to strengthen their capacity to investigate cybercrimes and bring offenders to justice, authorities said individual awareness and vigilance remain the most effective tools in preventing such offences.

Police advised the public to verify the authenticity of individuals and businesses before conducting online purchases or financial transactions and warned against sharing personal information, banking details or One-Time Passwords with others.

Authorities also urged anyone who suspects a fraud attempt or becomes a victim of cybercrime to report the matter to police without delay, noting that early reporting can assist in identifying perpetrators and recovering lost funds.