Maldives Police Service has warned that scams involving business email accounts are becoming increasingly common, urging the public and companies to take stronger precautions.
Police noted that while email remains one of the most widely used tools for official communication, it is also one of the easiest entry points for criminals attempting to access accounts and steal money.
A major method highlighted by police is business email compromise (BEC), a global scam technique frequently used for financial fraud and money laundering. In these cases, criminals impersonate trusted individuals or officials to deceive victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information.
Police said scammers often send emails that appear to come from someone the victim knows. They urged the public to remain alert and avoid falling for such tactics.
As part of preventive measures, police advised people not to share personal information such as date of birth, stamps, or school details on social media, as criminals use these details to guess passwords.
ބިޒްނަސް އީމެއިލް ކޮމްޕްރޮމައިޒްކޮށްގެން ހިންގާ ސްކޭމްތަކަށް ހޭލުންތެރިވެ ރައްކާތެރިވަމާhttps://t.co/TNpxn5Y1l9 pic.twitter.com/Vl7Nw05xWY
— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) February 8, 2026
They also urged the public not to click on suspicious links, and to verify account‑related messages by calling the company’s official number instead of using contact details provided in the email.
Additional safety steps recommended by police include checking email addresses carefully, avoiding unsafe downloads, and enabling two‑factor authentication on all accounts.
Police further warned that if someone requests a sudden change in bank account details or pressures you to send money urgently, it is likely to be a scam. In such cases, they advised calling the sender using a previously verified number.
Anyone who encounters a scam is urged to contact their bank immediately and report the incident to the Police Anti‑Scam Center via 125 or extension 2020.
Police reiterated the importance of vigilance and safe email practices to prevent financial loss.