MVR 600,000 lost to scams last week, half recovered

Statistics from the Police Anti-Scam Centre show that more than MVR 600,000 was lost to scams last week, with police recovering around half of the stolen funds.

According to the latest data, 53 scam cases were reported during the week, resulting in total losses of MVR 640,071.73. Police managed to recover MVR 307,285.54.

As technology continues to evolve, scammers are also refining their tactics, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to identify and avoid fraudulent schemes. Platforms and methods used in reported scams last week included online messaging apps, iBay, TikTok, phone calls, phishing links, and Facebook Marketplace.

Online shopping scams were the most commonly reported, accounting for 20 cases. These were followed by 11 currency exchange scams and nine cases involving booking cancellations and refund scams.

The report also recorded seven investment-related scams, two impersonation cases, and four other miscellaneous scam reports during the same period.

May recorded the highest monthly financial loss to scams so far this year, with victims losing approximately MVR 2.27 million.

To help prevent online shopping scams, police have advised the public to prioritize Cash on Delivery (COD) options whenever possible. Authorities also urged consumers to verify a seller’s account registration date, contact information, and customer feedback before making any payments.