Nearly MVR 33 million has been lost to scam-related crimes in the Maldives since last year, with most cases linked to fraudulent activity on Facebook Marketplace, according to the Maldives Police Service.
Speaking to state media, Head of the Police Anti-Scam Centre Inspector Adam Naveed said authorities have recorded approximately 2,700 scam-related cases since 2025, reflecting a significant increase in fraud and cybercrime targeting the public.
Naveed noted that around 90 percent of scam cases reported in the Maldives are believed to be carried out by individuals based within the country. He added that almost all scams originate through social media platforms, with police statistics showing that 95 percent of social media-related fraud cases are linked to Facebook Marketplace.
Police warned that scam tactics continue to evolve alongside advances in technology, highlighting growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfake content. Authorities also reported an increase in trend-driven scams connected to public interest in the FIFA World Cup, with several fraudulent social media accounts identified and blocked on the opening day of the tournament.
The Anti-Scam Centre further raised concerns over scams linked to government housing schemes, urging the public to verify information carefully before engaging with individuals online. Naveed encouraged the use of tools such as Google Reverse Image Search to check the authenticity of profile photographs and online identities.
Police stressed that social media users should not automatically trust friend requests or offers received online, particularly those that appear unusually attractive or financially rewarding.
Anyone who falls victim to a scam or suspects fraudulent activity has been urged to report the matter immediately through the police hotline on 125.
Authorities continue to remind the public that vigilance and early reporting remain key to preventing financial losses and helping investigators take swift action against scammers.
