MPS once again urges caution against Facebook Marketplace scams

The Cyber Crime Center of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) has once again urged caution against scams on social media platform Facebook’s ‘Marketplace’.

The Cyber Crime Center recently revealed that a new authentication method has been introduced as an alternative to OTP authentication.

The Cyber Crime Center has listed ways to be cautious of suspicious listings and posts, urging people to research further before purchasing an item, even if it appears to be a good deal or priced attractively.

The Cyber Crime Center also advises checking the seller's profile and to be extra cautious if the information disclosed in fake marketplace profiles of scammers is limited, if it's a new profile, or if they have few friends.

The Center notes that if it's a reliable and trustworthy seller, opting for cash on delivery is recommended, as this method allows for the opportunity to inspect the item upon receipt. They have also urged to complete the transaction with mutual consent of both parties.

In addition to the well-known risks posed by scammers on social media marketplaces, many small businesses in the Maldives also face challenges from dishonest customers. These individuals often engage in fraudulent behavior that harms local enterprises working hard to grow and promote their businesses. For instance, some customers may flake out at the last minute, failing to answer calls or refusing to pay after an order has already been delivered. This not only wastes valuable resources but also threatens the livelihood of small business owners who rely on legitimate transactions to survive. It's crucial for businesses to stay vigilant and protect themselves by establishing clear communication and payment policies, while consumers must remember that their actions can significantly impact the local economy.

The Cyber Crime Center had previously disclosed that with the introduction of flash calls as an alternative to OTP, many companies are now switching their customer authentication to this method. However, due to several people’s lack of understanding about what flash calls are and how they work, the number of people falling victim to flash call scams is increasing day by day.

What are Flash Calls?

Flash calls are an authentication method that is becoming more common as an alternative to one-time passwords (OTP). Many companies have started to choose the flash call authentication method because OTP is a text message received via SMS, and telecommunication service providers charge customers for OTP SMS. In addition to this, there are delays in OTP delivery when sent via SMS.

However, flash calls are different. Flash calls are a call-based authentication technology. Flash calls are cheaper and faster. A flash call is a phone call or missed call made by the service provider to the customer's phone. The last digits of the calling number or the missed call number serve. The last digits of the calling number or the missed call number serve as the authentication code. If this code is shared with anyone else, it's equivalent to sharing an OTP.

With this technological change, as many companies have started using flash calls instead of OTP, scammers have also changed their tactics for scamming. Using various tricks, scammers have begun to fraudulently obtain flash call numbers and take control of accounts. Therefore, it's important to become aware and research what flash calls are and how they work.