Officials have expressed worries regarding an increase in scam attempts where people are posing as the Bank of Maldives to gain access to private financial information from the public.

In a post on social media, the Maldives Police Service, via its Anti-Scam Centre, cautioned that con artists are using more advanced techniques to trick victims and obtain their banking information.

Authorities disclosed that con artists are reaching out to people while pretending to be bank representatives, frequently communicating in fluent English to seem trustworthy and establish credibility.

Furthermore, these con artists are said to be employing Gmail accounts that imitate genuine bank correspondence, using addresses that closely resemble the bank’s name, to perpetrate their schemes like "bankofmaldivesbml835@gmail.com".

Officials warned the public to avoid interacting with such messages or disclosing any personal or financial details via unofficial means.

The Anti-Scam Centre notes that typical strategies used by scammers involve pretending there are problems or technical glitches with a victim’s bank account, generating a sense of urgency by demanding immediate verification of information, and warning of account suspension if directives are not adhered to swiftly.

Reiterating safety protocols, the police stressed that genuine banking organizations do not utilize personal email platforms like Gmail for official correspondence, nor do they ask for sensitive information such as One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or account PINs through phone conversations.

They also mentioned that a caller's proficiency in English shouldn't be regarded as evidence of authenticity.

The public is urged to exercise caution by promptly terminating dubious calls, refraining from sharing personal banking details, and reaching out to official bank contacts directly to confirm any issues.

Officials also urge people to promptly report scam incidents to the Anti-Scam Centre.

The Maldives Police Service emphasized the need for alertness, calling on the public to adopt proactive measures to protect their finances from emerging scams.