HDC alerts public to fraudulent calls and messages linked to housing projects

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has warned the public to be vigilant against fraudulent schemes involving housing projects and flat allocations.

In a post shared on social media, HDC said it has received reports of individuals impersonating the corporation to extract personal information through calls, text messages, and Viber.

HDC clarified that it does not contact applicants via Viber or regular phone calls for any transactions related to housing projects or flats. The corporation urged the public to ignore such messages and report suspicious activity.

The warning comes amid a surge in scam attempts across the Maldives. Police had previously cautioned landlords and tenants about fraudulent schemes linked to housing programs.

އެޗްޑީސީގެ ނަމުގައި އޮޅުވާލައިގެން ކުރާ ކޯލްތަކާއި މެސެޖުތަކަށް ސަމާލުވުމަށާއި، އެއްވެސް ފަރާތަކަށް އަމިއްލަ މައުލޫމާތު ނުވަތަ ފައިސާގެ މުއާމަލާތެއް ނުހިންގުމަށް އިލްތިމާސްކުރަން!#WithHDC pic.twitter.com/YOsnPMcu8e

— Housing Development Corporation (@hdcmaldives) January 24, 2026

Scammers continue to exploit new tactics, including impersonating officials and posing as fundraisers for medical emergencies. Just last week, police flagged a scam involving false claims of helping a cancer patient.

According to the Anti-Scam Centre, MVR 1.9 million was lost to scams last month alone. Police also revealed that between 2011 and March 17, 2025, over MVR 110 million was stolen from 6,000 victims, with no successful convictions.

Authorities continue to urge the public to exercise caution, especially on social media and messaging apps, where most scams originate.