News Desk
Cybercrime cases reported to the Maldives Police Service in the first six months of 2026 have doubled compared to the same period last year, Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed has revealed.
In a special message issued for Cyber Security Awareness Month, Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed warned that rapid technological advances have heightened online risks, leaving individuals, private businesses, and state institutions vulnerable to digital scams.
According to police figures, social media activity accounts for 68 per cent of all reported cyber offences. Criminals are increasingly turning to modern tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to generate fake audio, video, and text messages designed to trap victims.
The police chief attributed the surge in scam victims primarily to a lack of public awareness and carelessness. Common pitfalls include clicking on unverified links, sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) and security PINs, and trusting unconfirmed online transactions.
Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed assured that police are continuously acquiring modern tools and expanding technical capabilities to strengthen investigations and tackle cybercrime across the country.
