Red Crescent warns of scam calls in its name requesting personal information

The Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC), on Thursday, issued a public warning over scam calls being made in its name requesting personal information from members of the general public.

MRC said it had received reports scammers were placing phone calls to people requesting personal information for a survey as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It warned that MRC will not be making any phone calls to households asking for information.

MRC is working in liaison with Maldivian government authorities to provide psychosocial support to people who are required to undergo isolation and quarantine.

It has also launched a large-scale awareness campaign on the coronavirus pandemic, aimed not just at Maldivian nationals, but foreign nationals who work in Maldives.

MRC’s warning comes after the Interpol recently warned of the public of criminals taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to run scams.

The agency warned of telephone fraud, phishing, and fake shops, websites, social media accounts and email addresses claiming to sell items such as surgical masks and other medical supplies.

13 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives, all of whom are foreign nationals who were either working or vacationing in resorts or safaris. Of the 13 people, five were from Kuredu Island Resort, two from Sandies Bathala, two from Kuramathi Island Resort, two from Anantara Dhigu, and two from Island Safari-1.

Maldives, on March 12, announced a 30-day state of public health emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since taken multiple measures aimed at containing and preventing a potential outbreak.