Street Scams in Maldives

Souvenir Shell and Turtle Product Sales

Vendors on local island markets including Maafushi, Guraidhoo, and Thulusdhoo sell souvenirs made from hawksbill turtle shell, black coral, and protected marine species. Purchasing these products is illegal under both Maldivian law and CITES regulations and items are routinely confiscated at international customs, sometimes with penalties for the buyer. Vendors claim the items are sustainably sourced or legally made from old stock.