Maldives: A Low-Risk Country for Serious Cyber Offences Despite Growing Concerns

Despite being a low-risk country for serious cyber offences, the Maldives has seen a surge in cybercrimes such as spyware and identity theft during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the government’s lack of concrete policies to combat cybercrime is a major concern.

Financial Crime on the Rise

Evidence Suggests Growth

While financial crime remains rare in the Maldives, evidence suggests it is growing. The country has struggled with corruption, with state-embedded actors able to carry out acts of embezzlement and bribery due to institutional weaknesses. Private sector actors have also taken advantage of the weak rule of law and high levels of corruption to engage in illegal activities such as bribery and tax evasion.

Impact on Economy

The economic environment is difficult, with low access to credit, procedural difficulties in obtaining permanent electricity connections, and weak minority investor protections. The economy is controlled by a small group of ultra-rich resort owners and oligarchs, leading to monopolistic influences and illicit markets such as the drug trade and gang-related activity.

Mafia-Style Groups Pose Threat

Involvement in Organized Crimes

The Maldives is home to mafia-style groups involved in organized crimes including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering. These gangs are often connected to political and religious extremists and have targeted journalists, media outlets, and politicians who promote open democracy and fundamental human rights.

Corruption Remains a Major Challenge

Parliamentarians, Ministers, and Judges Involved

The country’s corruption problem persists, with parliamentarians, ministers, and judges involved in corruption cases amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for the state. Foreign actors are believed to use their financial power to influence the democratic process through bribery, while local private sector actors have been accused of using their financial resources to influence politics.

Lack of Trust in Institutions

The judicial system is criticized for lacking proper access to justice, especially in high-profile organized crime cases. The independence of the judiciary has been affected by external pressure from criminal groups and political interference.

Weak Judicial System

Limited Access to Justice

• The country’s judicial system lacks proper access to justice, especially in high-profile organized crime cases.
• The independence of the judiciary has been affected by external pressure from criminal groups and political interference.

Law Enforcement Struggles

Corruption and Police Brutality

The Maldives’ law enforcement continues to struggle with a lack of public trust, weak anti-corruption measures, and reports of rampant police brutality. Corruption and fraud are still prevalent, and there are no specific procedures in place to combat police-related corruption.

Economic Challenges

Limited Access to Credit and Electricity

• The country’s economic environment is difficult, with low access to credit and procedural difficulties in obtaining permanent electricity connections.
• The economy is controlled by a small group of ultra-rich resort owners and oligarchs, leading to monopolistic influences and illicit markets such as the drug trade and gang-related activity.

Civil Society Concerns

Assistance to Trafficking Victims

The Maldives provides some assistance to trafficking victims, but there are challenges and weaknesses in the institutional framework. There is no clear strategy in place to tackle transnational organized crimes, and law enforcement and the judiciary need to rebuild trust within local communities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Maldives may be considered a low-risk country for serious cyber offences, its lack of concrete policies to combat cybercrime is a major concern. The government needs to take immediate action to address corruption, strengthen its judicial system, and improve its law enforcement capabilities to tackle the growing threats of financial crime and organized crime.