22 Phones Confiscated in Maafushi Jail Linked to Half-a-Million Rufiyaa Scam

Maldives Police Service (MPS) conducted an operation at Maafushi jail last Wednesday, seizing 22 mobile phones and assorted accessories believed to be linked to a scam amounting to MVR 500,000. The operation, part of ongoing efforts to curb fraudulent activities within the prison, also yielded additional evidence related to the case.

The confiscated items include 22 mobile phones, 10 chargers, 10 headsets/airpods, and two SIM cards. Authorities are currently investigating the connection between these seized items and the reported scam, as well as other potential fraudulent activities.

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This recent operation follows a string of similar raids whereby mobile phones were discovered in prison cells, raising suspicions of their involvement in various scam activities. The police have been vigilant in addressing this issue, considering the escalating number of reported scams that have plagued the country.

From December 2023 to the end of January this year, scams have resulted in losses exceeding MVR 27 million. The police confirmed a significant rise in reported scam activities, with 1,081 cases reported in 2022 and an additional 971 cases in the preceding year. Despite a decrease in reported incidents, the cumulative amount lost in scams during the past year surpassed that of the previous year.