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Most crimes are committed now in exchange for money: Jameel

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has said that of late, most crimes are committed in the Maldives in exchange for money.

Dr Jameel said in an interview with Sun Online that the most common crimes in the Maldives are either drug related or gang related, and both these criminal activities involve financial transactions of large amounts.

“Money related to drug crimes circulate in banks and other areas. Plus, the latest report shows that gangs are being paid to commit crimes,” he said.

Dr Jameel met with the Governor of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) yesterday to discuss ways to strengthen mechanisms of financial transactions in the Maldives.

He said that the meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening financial intelligence and existing laws, and that discussions were also held on combating money laundering.

Dr Jameel said that Maldives has become a target market for drug traffickers, and that money is being transferred through the airport and via banks.

“MMA and other banks in Maldives have to understand that Maldives is facing similar challenges as other countries. Banks should protect their customers’ rights, and not act as institutions that encourage financial criminal activity,” he said.

He said that currently, banks are focusing only on protecting information related to their customers; and stressed that this thinking needs to change to acknowledge and address the problem of financial crimes.

Dr Jameel said that banks should encourage execution of the actions stipulated in the banking laws by institutions, and emphasised that the financial institutions of Maldives need to be strengthened.

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