Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has concluded a special search operation at Maafushi Prison.
MCS began the operation with the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) on December 6 as part of the efforts to stop acts of terrorism and scams. MCS stated that the operation concluded successfully without any incidents of violence. Authorities confiscated phones, SIM cards, drugs, and other contraband during the operation.
Police has warned of the increase in phone scams to steal money from victims and urged the public not to give out personal details to individuals who contact them and claim to be from banks or other authorities. Many of the scam phone calls originate from Maafushi Prison and MPS has made efforts to stop the calls including installing jammers and antennas around and inside Maafushi Prison to stop phone usage as well as logging the IP addresses being used in the area.
Additionally, the Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM) has strengthened the rules for selling SIM cards used for mobile phone services over the increase in crimes committed using communication devices.
