The Finance Ministry has been financially exploited with more than MVR 100,000 taken out of their credit card through a scam call.
Abdulla Ali, the Treasurer was deceived by the call with the promise of obtaining a flat under the housing scheme Vinares which is currently open to the public. The caller represented the Housing Development Corporation and advised to pay the downpayment to secure a Vinares flat.
However, HDC has made a statement regarding these fraud calls two months prior. HDC has assured the general public that no person representing the corporation will call directly for any transactional matter or obtain banking details via a phone call.
Abdulla was convinced to pay the downpayment for the Vinares flat and was guaranteed the flat by the caller. It is not clear why Abdulla used the Ministry’s credit card for his personal use. However the specified amount was deducted from the card. Scam calls in general ask for the personal banking details of the individual or ask for the OTP number; the code that seals the transaction online.
The Finance Ministry is yet to comment on what happened although there is a specific protocol under which the Ministry’s credit card can be used. Abdulla has since reported the incident to the police and has returned the money back. The police are investigating the matter.
Matters of theft under scams are on the rise with calls promising to get affordable housing, transportation and other basic needs. The police advise the general public to be on alert as to not get tangled up in money thefts and not to risk losing savings to fraudsters.
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