22 phones found in jail tied to half-a-mil Rufiyaa scam

Maldives Police Service reports confiscating 22 mobile phones from Maafushi jail - in relation to scam cases.

Police conducted an operation last Wednesday at Maafushi jail, and confiscated mobile phones along with other items, which include;

• 22 mobile phones
• 10 chargers
• 10 headsets/airpods
• Two SIM cards
• Accessories of mobile phones

Additionally, police have discovered and collected other evidences related to the case as well.

The operations were conducted in relation to a scam amounting to MVR 500,000 and other scams. The cases are currently under investigation.

Police have discovered mobile phones from prison cells during previous raids, majority of which are suspected to be used in scam activities. 

From December 2023 until January end this year, victims lost upwards of MVR 27 million in multiple scams.

Police confirmed 1,081 scam activities were reported in 2022 and another 971 cases were reported last year. The authority added that despite the lower of reports, the collective sum lost was higher last year compared to preceding year.