Police warn public of scam using fake cancer story and stolen photo

Police have warned the public to beware of a scam disguised as a fundraising appeal for a cancer patient.

Fraudsters continue to exploit emotional appeals, adapting their tactics with changing times and technology. In this case, scammers posed as supporters of a young girl allegedly diagnosed with cancer.

The Anti-Scam Centre of the Maldives Police Service flagged a post shared on a Facebook page called Dheenuge Magu. The post claimed that a girl named Aishath Maajidha, who had just completed her O’level exams, was diagnosed with cancer and would undergo treatment in India for six to eight months. It also included a bank account number for donations.

However, the photo used in the appeal was identified as Mushfika Sultana, a foreign national. Police confirmed that the image had been misused and warned the public against falling for such impersonation scams.

The Anti-Scam Centre urged people to verify appeals before donating, especially when they rely solely on emotional photos. One recommended method is to perform a reverse image search using tools like Google Images. If the same photo appears in multiple unrelated appeals or under different names, it’s a strong indicator of fraud.

Police also advised caution when asked to deposit money into personal accounts. If a caller becomes aggressive or demands sensitive information such as OTPs, hang up immediately and do not engage.

According to the Anti-Scam Centre, scams cost the public MVR 1.9 million last month alone. From 2011 to March 17 last year, over MVR 110 million was lost to scams affecting 6,000 victims, none of whom saw justice served.

With social media widely used across the Maldives, police continue to report rising cases of fraud and extortion through online platforms.