The Cyber Crime Department of the Maldives Police Service has issued a public advisory urging heightened vigilance when engaging in foreign currency exchange, amidst a growing number of cybercrime incidents.

According to the department, the public is strongly advised to conduct foreign exchange transactions only through dealers authorised by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). To assist in this, the police highlighted that a list of authorised dealers is readily accessible via the official MMA website.

In addition to concerns over unlicensed currency exchange, the police have also reported a noticeable increase in cases of Viber account hacking. These cybercriminal activities often involve extortion attempts, wherein fraudsters impersonate the victim and contact their family members and friends to solicit money.

As a preventive measure, the police have urged the public to exercise caution and verify the identity of individuals requesting funds through digital platforms. Citizens are advised not to transfer money without confirming the authenticity of the request.

To strengthen their response to the rise in such cybercrimes, the police have recently established a dedicated call centre. This facility is intended to provide swift support and facilitate the reporting of online scams and suspicious activity.