Over MVR 380,000 recovered from scams

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has stated that more than MVR 380,000 has been recovered from the money lost due to various types of scams that occurred in the Maldives over the past week.

On Thursday, the police institution said that their Anti-Scam Center has revealed that more than MVR 380,000 has been recovered from the money lost due to multiple types of scams that occurred in the Maldives over the past week.

According to the statistics released by the Anti-Scam Center, a total of 45 scam cases were reported between May 13 and May 19. Said cases resulted in a total loss of MVR 481,520.67, of which MVR 383,610.08 (80 percent) has been recovered.

Among the reported cases, e-commerce scams were the most prevalent, with 26 cases reported. Of these, 20 cases involved the use of Facebook Marketplace.

Other types include foreign currency exchange scams (10 cases), phone scams (five cases), and cases involving impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and money deposit issues, according to the police.

In April alone, 142 scam cases were reported, and the police say that scam cases have been on the rise recently. The police have also urged special caution regarding scams conducted in the name of online shopping platforms. They have also requested immediate action and reporting to relevant authorities if one becomes a victim of a scam.