Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed has called on the public to ensure digital safety by teaching children how to use the internet securely, assisting elderly family members, and remaining vigilant against cyber threats.

The Commissioner made this appeal in a message issued today in connection with Cyber Security Awareness Month, reminding the public to be cautious of dangers in the cyber environment. October is internationally recognized as Cyber Security Awareness Month to raise public awareness about cyber safety and the importance of protection against digital threats.

In his message, the Commissioner noted that with 85% of the Maldivian population using the internet and modern digital tools, society is deeply interconnected digitally. While technology brings convenience, the speed at which internet-related threats spread has accelerated manifold, increasing the vulnerability of individuals, businesses, and state institutions to cybercrimes.

"As government services, financial transactions, businesses, and our personal lives become increasingly digitized, opportunities for criminals to lure citizens into fraudulent traps in the cyber environment are also growing," the Commissioner stated. "Therefore, the true benefits of development and modernization can only be reaped if every individual and institution remains vigilant and takes proactive preventive measures."

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the Commissioner revealed that cybercrime cases reported to the Maldives Police Service in the first six months of this year have doubled compared to the same period last year. Of these cases, 68% were committed via social media. Furthermore, criminals are increasingly using emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to generate fraudulent messages, audio, and video to deceive citizens.

The Commissioner stressed that these issues are not only challenges to individual financial and personal safety, but are directly tied to institutional trust, economic activity, and national security as a whole. Common causes of falling victim to such crimes include clicking unverified links, sharing personal information and one-time passwords (OTPs) with others, and trusting online interactions without verifying identities.

Detailing police efforts, the Commissioner stated that the Maldives Police Service is continuously acquiring modern equipment and expanding technical capabilities to curb cybercrimes and conduct more effective investigations. Nationwide awareness programs are also being conducted. However, he emphasized that ensuring cybersecurity is not a task for law enforcement alone, requiring the contribution and responsibility of every individual and institution in society.

He advised individuals to use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) for accounts, refrain from sharing OTPs and personal information, avoid spreading unverified online news, and report any suspicions or cybercrimes to the police without delay. State institutions and businesses were also urged to prioritize digital data security.

Concluding his message, the Commissioner emphasized that cybersecurity should be a regular topic of discussion within every family. "Parents must teach children how to use the internet safely and monitor who they interact with online," he said. "In particular, since elderly family members are easily vulnerable to such crimes, guiding them, helping them, and ensuring their digital safety is a family and social responsibility on each of us."