Authorities have raised concerns over a surge in scam attempts involving individuals impersonating the Bank of Maldives in an effort to obtain sensitive financial information from the public.

In a statement shared on social media, the Maldives Police Service, through its Anti-Scam Centre, warned that fraudsters are adopting increasingly sophisticated methods to deceive victims and gain access to their banking details.

Police revealed that scammers are contacting individuals while posing as bank officials, often speaking fluent English to appear credible and build trust.

In addition, these fraudsters are reportedly using Gmail accounts designed to resemble official bank communications, such as addresses mimicking the bank’s name, to carry out their schemes such as "[email protected]". 

Authorities cautioned the public not to engage with such communications or share any personal or financial information through unofficial channels.

According to the Anti-Scam Centre, common tactics employed by scammers include falsely claiming issues or technical errors with a victim’s bank account, creating urgency by insisting that details must be verified immediately, and threatening account suspension if instructions are not followed promptly.

Reinforcing safety guidelines, the police emphasized that legitimate banking institutions do not use personal email services like Gmail for official communication, nor do they request sensitive details such as One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or account PINs via phone calls.

They further noted that a caller’s fluency in English should not be considered proof of legitimacy.

The public is advised to remain cautious by immediately ending suspicious calls, avoiding the disclosure of personal banking information, and contacting official bank channels directly to verify any concerns.

Authorities also encourage individuals to report scam attempts to the Anti-Scam Centre without delay.

The Maldives Police Service reiterated the importance of vigilance, urging the public to take proactive steps to safeguard their finances against evolving fraudulent activities.