The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has announced the recovery of more than USD 17,510.40 during the first week of March, following nationwide operations against fraudulent schemes. The force’s Anti-Scam Centre reported 55 cases of fraud between 1 and 7 March. Victims had initially declared losses totalling USD 32,086.38, but rapid investigative efforts enabled the retrieval of a substantial portion of those funds.
The data released by the Anti-Scam Centre show that e-commerce and online retail scams accounted for the largest share of incidents, with 27 cases recorded. Authorities also identified schemes involving manipulation of foreign currency exchanges, impersonation to unlawfully obtain funds, the circulation of malicious links, and employment-related fraud. Of the total, seven cases were linked to foreign exchange scams, fourteen to impersonation, and seven categorised under miscellaneous fraudulent activity, police officials confirmed.
Investigators noted that perpetrators relied on a range of platforms and tactics to deceive victims. Direct phone calls, the local classified service iBay, online messaging applications, phishing links, and Facebook Marketplace were among the primary channels used.
In response, the police issued directives aimed at strengthening public protection against financial crime. Officials urged citizens to verify the legitimacy of individuals or entities before transferring funds, to refrain from sharing personal information with unverified sources, and to adopt two-factor authentication across all digital applications. Law enforcement authorities stressed that timely reporting remains critical, noting that swift victim cooperation significantly increases the likelihood of recovering stolen assets.