Facebook Marketplace currently accounts for the highest number of reported scam cases: Ali Mohamed
He advised the public to thoroughly research the credibility of e-commerce pages and Facebook Marketplace sellers before making purchases, emphasizing the importance of verifying a page's activity levels. He further urged consumers to refrain from conducting transactions without first evaluating the frequency of posts, engagement through likes, and the total number of followers to ensure the legitimacy of the business.
Sub-Inspector of Police Ali Mohamed speaking during Raajje TV's "Fas Kaafu" program. | Raajje MV
Sub-Inspector of Police Ali Mohamed has urged individuals conducting transactions on Facebook Marketplace to remain vigilant against potential scams.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fas Kaafu" program, Ali stated that the most frequently reported cases currently involve scams conducted through fraudulent pages on Facebook Marketplace.
He advised the public to research the activity level of pages when conducting transactions via e-commerce platforms or Facebook Marketplace. He further urged consumers to refrain from making purchases without first verifying the page's posting frequency, engagement levels, and follower count.
Furthermore, Ali clarified that while it is not possible to hack an entire phone simply by sending a link, applications such as Viber, Telegram, and WhatsApp can indeed be compromised. He therefore advised the public to refrain from sending money even if requested via message by a family member or friend, urging individuals to verify the request with a phone call before making any transfers.
Scam-related incidents have seen a significant surge in the Maldives recently. According to the Maldives Police Service, the public lost over 33 million Rufiyaa to such fraudulent activities last year.
Sub-Inspector of Police Mohamed Saleem stated that while 1,705 cases of scamming were reported last year, 1,184 cases have already been filed so far this year.
