Maldives Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams affecting tourists and residents in the Maldives, with official reporting routes through the Maldives Police Service.
Emergency number: 119 (police) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
The Maldives is one of the world's most popular luxury travel destinations, known for its overwater bungalows and marine life. While resort islands tend to be controlled environments, tourists encounter overpriced speedboat transfers, fake guesthouse booking sites and unofficial excursion operators. Residents face online scams including phishing, fake investment platforms and mobile money fraud. The Maldives Police Service at police.gov.mv, the emergency number 119 and a dedicated online reporting portal are the official channels, and the service has participated in regional anti-scam operations with a high recovery rate.
Common scams
- Fake resort or guesthouse booking websites
- Phishing messages impersonating banks or telecom providers
- Investment and crypto fraud promoted via social media
- Romance scams escalating to financial requests
Tourist-specific scams
- Overpriced unofficial speedboat and transfer operators
- Fake or unlicensed diving and snorkelling excursion operators
- Inflated prices at unofficial souvenir vendors
Online shopping scams
- Fake social media shops with no goods delivered
- Phishing links targeting online banking or BML credentials
- Delivery fee SMS scams impersonating postal services
Job scams
- Fake resort or overseas job ads requiring advance fees
- Task scams via messaging apps escalating into deposit demands
Romance scams
- Dating-app grooming escalating to investment or money requests
- Fake online partners seeking emergency wire transfers
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto platforms promoted on social media
- Pig-butchering combining romance with fabricated investment portals
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately to freeze affected accounts
- Call 119 to reach the Maldives Police Service for urgent matters
- Use the online police case reporting portal at police.gov.mv/online/policecase
- Preserve all screenshots, messages and transaction receipts as evidence
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank or BML (Bank of Maldives) immediately using official channels. Request an emergency hold on fraudulent transfers. Obtain a Maldives Police Service case reference for formal bank disputes.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
How active is the Maldives Police Service in combating scams?
The Maldives Police Service has shown a strong track record in regional anti-scam operations, recording the highest scam recovery rate among several Asian nations in INTERPOL-linked Operation Frontier+. The service maintains an Anti-Scam Centre and an online reporting portal at police.gov.mv.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance