Some of the most common tourist scams in the Maldives are listed below:
1. Liveaboard Scam
This is one of the most common types of scams that most tourists experience in Maldives. Scammers use fake websites where tourists sign up to make advance payments for booking luxury cruises that do not exist.
Sometimes, they sell luxury cruises at a lump sum but later transfer them to low-grade boats upon their arrival.
Common around: Across the country
2. Booking Scams
Guest houses in the Maldives are in constant demand as tourists keep coming in throughout the year. There have been multiple instances whereby travel agents took money from tourists promising them accommodation.
However, when they arrived at the hotel, they were surprised to know that they had no booking.
Common around: Across the country
3. ATM Scams
This is another commonly seen scam in most tourist destinations. If you ever encounter a problem with the ATM while withdrawing cash, you will witness friendly locals approaching to help you out.
However, their intentions are cruel. They come with a card skimmer hidden with them to scan your card and memorise your PIN when you enter it. Later, they misuse the data to drain your account.
Common around: Addu, Fuvahmulah and Malé
4. Taxi Scams
Travelling by taxi is common during a vacation in a foreign country, especially Uber, and its alternatives are not always available. However, there is a common scam whereby taxi drivers do not turn on the meters in their vehicles on purpose and overcharge the travellers. They might also hassle them to pay more by driving longer routes on purpose.
Common around: Addu and Malé
5. Bar & Pub Scams
There are multiple bars and pubs across the Maldives, and travellers like visiting these during their vacation for relaxation. However, there might be scammers in these areas, who come as groups of locals, approaching tourists and trying to be friendly with them. They then order food and drinks and later pressurise the tourist to pay for all of them.
Common around: Addu, Fuvahmulah and Malé
