Police have issued a warning to the public following an increase in robberies and scams targeting elderly individuals. They are urging families to stay vigilant and protect vulnerable members from falling prey to such crimes.
According to law enforcement, the perpetrators often pose as acquaintances or familiar faces to gain the trust of their victims. Once the trust is established, they lure the elderly to isolated locations where they fall victim to robbery.
The police have reported a worrying rise in fraud cases involving the elderly. Last year, 1,661 fraud cases were reported, resulting in financial losses amounting to MVR 20 million. From this January to July this year, 1,302 cases have already been logged, indicating a continuing rise in such crimes.
Authorities are stressing the importance of awareness and caution, especially among older adults and their families.
This increase in crimes has sparked concerns in communities, as elderly individuals are often targeted due to their trusting nature and lower levels of digital literacy. Police are ramping up efforts to tackle these crimes but emphasize that public vigilance is crucial in preventing more incidents.
- Educate About Scams: Discuss common scams and their tactics to raise awareness among elderly family members.
- Encourage Skepticism: Teach them to be cautious about unsolicited calls, messages, or visits from strangers.
- Verify Identities: Advise elderly individuals to always confirm the identity of anyone requesting assistance, especially in person.
- Limit Personal Information Sharing: Remind them to avoid sharing sensitive information like bank details unless absolutely sure of the recipient's identity.
- Maintain Regular Communication: Stay in touch to ensure they feel comfortable discussing any suspicious encounters.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Encourage immediate reporting of any suspicious interactions to the police.
