Police seize 571 ‘adult’ channels on Telegram; three arrested

The Maldivian police have seized 571 channels on the social messaging app Telegram used to distribute sexually explicit photos and videos, and detained three individuals suspected of running nine such channels.

The three individuals were arrested in a special operation run by the Cyber Crime Center. The suspects were identified as:

• Ismail Zabeeh, 29, Silinko, K. Kaashidhoo
• Nasif Ali, 46, Dhafthar no. 14751, K. Male’
• Zubair Ali, 45, Bahaaruge, ADh. Mahibadhoo

According to police, they are suspected of creating Telegram channels to distribute sexually explicit photos and videos of locals as well as foreigners for profit.

Zubair and Nasif were arrested on August 10, while Zabeeh was arrested on August 20. Zubair had his remand extended by 15 days on August 30, while Nasif and Rabeeh’s remand was extended by 15 days on September 5.

The police searched 14 digital electronic devices they owned and seized nine channels created in their name. According to the police, the Telegram channels were seized on Sunday night.

The police said they have seized 571 Telegram channels used to share sexually explicit material in the crackdown on digital sex crimes. This includes child pornography.

These channels were used to share 241,651 sexually explicit images and 86,618 videos of Maldivian females, including minors.

43 channels were found to be used specifically to distribute child pornography.

The police said that 34,680 individuals paid to subscribe to the channels, with those running the channels earning around MVR 2 million in subscription fees.

Police have asked people who have had their photos and videos leaked on social media and are being blackmailed to contact the Cyber Crime Center at 9136262.

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Editor's note:

The police initially reported that the Telegram channels seized had 3,468 subscribers, but later said it had 34,680 subscribers.