Scam Cases Cost Public MVR 33 Million Since Last Year, Police Say

The Maldives Police Service has reported that approximately 2,700 scam-related cases have been recorded since last year, resulting in public losses totalling MVR 33 million.

Speaking to state media, Head of the Police Anti-Scam Centre Inspector Adam Naveed said scam-related incidents have increased significantly over the past year, with various forms of fraud and cybercrime continuing to target members of the public.

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According to Police data, around 90 per cent of reported scams in the Maldives are carried out by individuals based within the country. Naveed said that 99 per cent of scams occur through social media platforms, while 95 per cent of social media-related scams are linked to Facebook Marketplace.

Police also warned that scam tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated with advances in technology. Authorities highlighted the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence-generated deepfake content and urged the public to remain vigilant when interacting online.

In addition, Police reported an increase in trend-based scams linked to heightened public interest in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup. Several scam accounts were identified on social media on the opening day of the tournament. The accounts have since been blocked, while investigations remain ongoing.

Authorities also pointed to major scams connected to government housing schemes, noting that such cases continue to pose risks to the public.

Police have advised individuals to conduct their own checks before trusting people encountered online. Recommended precautions include using tools such as reverse image searches to verify the authenticity of photographs and profiles.