Scam Investigations: Police Recover 6.6 Million of 15 Million Rufiyaa Lost to Fraud
24 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 15:30Authorities have successfully recovered MVR 6.6 million out of the more than MVR 15 million lost across 1,584 scam cases reported to the police so far this year. With e-commerce fraud and currency exchange scams identified as the most prevalent schemes, officials have frozen numerous bank accounts and arrested 53 suspects, several of whom are already facing formal charges.
From the press conference held by the police on Thursday. | Raajje MV
The Maldives Police Service has revealed that 1,584 cases of financial scams have been reported so far this year. Out of the more than 15 million Rufiyaa lost in these incidents, authorities have successfully recovered 6.6 million Rufiyaa.
During a press conference held on Thursday, police revealed that they have successfully recovered MVR 6.6 million out of a total of MVR 15,067,763.83 lost to fraudulent schemes. This recovery accounts for 44.3 percent of the total stolen funds. Through special operations conducted by the Police Anti-Scam Center, full refunds have been issued to 852 victims, while an additional 320 individuals have had a portion of their lost funds recovered.
During the meeting, Inspector of Police Adam Naveed, Head of the Anti-Scam Center, stated that the current recovery rate for scammed funds in the Maldives represents a "global best" result, standing out even when compared to international anti-scam efforts.
According to statistics on the most prevalent scams currently operating in the Maldives, e-commerce fraud related to online shopping tops the list with 821 reported cases. Foreign currency exchange scams rank second with 244 incidents, while 213 cases involving social media account hacking and identity theft have been submitted. Additionally, police have received reports of 80 cases involving a newly emerging "booking cancellation refund scam."
As part of the measures taken to curb these offenses, 2,803 bank accounts involved in the transactions were frozen for 48 hours, while an additional 530 accounts were frozen for three months under court orders. Furthermore, 53 individuals have been arrested in connection with these cases, and 25 cases have been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office for charges, with four individuals already facing formal prosecution.
Police highlighted that the highest number of scam cases were reported from the Greater Male' area, totaling 506 incidents. Addu City followed with the second-highest number of reports. According to the police, the majority of scam victims are individuals aged between 18 and 40. Authorities attributed the prevalence of these crimes to public negligence and the practice of individuals renting out their bank accounts to third parties.
