Police Issue Ramadan Warning Over Surge in Online Shopping Scams

Police have warned the public to remain highly vigilant when shopping online, noting that scammers are increasingly exploiting the current period of preparations for the month of Ramadan.

In a video released by the police amid a surge in fraudulent activities, Senior Sergeant Abdulla Shahuneez of the Anti-Scam Center highlighted that many people are currently preoccupied with preparations for the month of Ramadan, including purchasing groceries and upgrading household appliances. He noted that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated during this period, exploiting these commercial activities for illicit gain.

Shahuneez highlighted a significant rise in online shopping scams and urged the public to remain vigilant. He emphasized the importance of verifying whether a business is officially registered before making any purchases. Furthermore, he advised consumers to refrain from transferring funds until they have physically received the goods.

We believe that scammers are taking undue advantage of the preparations being made for the upcoming month of Ramadan. We frequently observe instances where individuals transfer funds before receiving goods or verifying whether the business is legitimate. Therefore, we urge the public to ensure they are dealing with authentic businesses. You can verify if a business is registered by visiting the official business portal at business.egov.mv. Furthermore, we advise against transferring money to personal bank accounts when making purchases. Please ensure that the recipient is a registered business account before proceeding with any transaction. Additionally, we recommend withholding payment until the goods have been successfully delivered.

Senior Sergeant Abdulla Shahuneez of the Anti-Scam Centre.

Furthermore, the police have urged the public to refrain from clicking on unverified links while shopping online. Authorities have also advised against sharing personal banking details or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) with anyone, while encouraging individuals to report any suspected scam activity as quickly as possible.