Cybercrime reports in Maldives more than doubled during the first six months of the year, with online shopping scams accounting for a significant share of the increase, according to police statistics.
Police said 1,053 cybercrime cases were reported during the first half of this year, compared with 512 cases during the same period last year. This is an increase of more than 105 percent.
Of the cases reported this year, 884 remain under investigation, while investigations have been completed and charges filed in 457 cases.
According to police, the rise has been driven largely by an increase in online fraud, with criminals increasingly using digital platforms to obtain money from victims.
Online shopping scams were the most commonly reported cybercrime, with 464 cases recorded during the first six months of the year, up from 86 cases during the same period in 2025.
Social media related scams also increased sharply, rising from 15 cases last year to 109 this year.
Police said foreign currency exchange scams rose by 83 percent, with 103 cases reported this year compared with 56 during the corresponding period last year.
Authorities said they have prioritized support for victims and efforts to recover lost funds. During the first six months of the year, police provided technical assistance to members of the public in 182 cases.
Police also recovered access to 120 compromised accounts across platforms including WhatsApp, Viber and Facebook.
In addition, awareness programmes on cybercrime prevention have reached more than 3,000 people, including students, parents and employees in various organizations.
Police warned that fraudsters are continuing to adopt new methods as technology evolves and said efforts are ongoing to prevent cybercrime and bring offenders to justice.
Police urged anyone who suspects fraud or becomes a victim of an online scam to report the matter promptly as early reporting improves the chances of identifying offenders and recovering lost funds.
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