The Maldives Police Service has recorded 1,584 scam cases so far this year, with victims losing more than MVR 15 million, according to figures disclosed at a police press conference today.
Head of the Police Anti-Scam Centre, Adam Naveed, said more than MVR 6.6 million of the stolen funds had been recovered, amounting to 44.3 percent of the reported losses.
Online business scams were identified as the most frequently reported type of scam, accounting for 821 of the cases recorded this year. Police said another 240 cases involved scams carried out under the guise of money-making opportunities, while 213 cases involved obtaining money through impersonation.
Naveed also highlighted a newer scam targeting the public through fake booking cancellation and refund schemes. He said police are working with the media to raise awareness of how the scam operates and warn potential victims.
As part of efforts to disrupt scam networks, police have frozen 2,803 accounts for 48 hours. Of these, 530 accounts have subsequently been frozen for an additional three months under court orders.
Police have also arrested 53 people identified as being involved in scam networks. Of those cases, 25 have been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office, while charges have so far been filed against four individuals.
Naveed said scammers are able to move or withdraw stolen funds through banks partly because a small number of people rent out their bank accounts to others.
Police also presented figures showing scam victims across different parts of the Maldives, including Malé, Addu City, Raa Atoll and Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi.
