Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsan has noted a significant reduction in the number of scam calls originating from prisons, attributing this decline to the implementation of geo-fencing measures designed to prevent unauthorized phone calls within correctional facilities.
In response to questions from Parliament, Minister Ihsan reported that a substantial number of mobile phones were confiscated from inmates during a recent operation targeting the smuggling of devices into prisons. He emphasized that, while there has been a decrease in scam calls, additional measures are being implemented to further combat this issue, including the installation of geo-fencing technology.
The Minister noted that upon the current administration's assumption of office, it was discovered that prison officers had ceased scanning operations. In response, the government has mandated the reinstatement of screenings and has installed temporary metal detectors to facilitate this process. He also mentioned that a full-body scanning machine is being procured to establish a permanent solution.
The police are undertaking targeted actions to address the issue of scam calls, with positive progress reported in related operations. Minister Ihsan indicated that a dedicated department within the police service will focus on preventing scams, leading to faster recovery of funds lost to fraudulent activities.
Scam calls typically aim to extort money by posing as various agencies, projects, or promotions. According to the Maldives Police Service, over USD 846,354 has been reported lost to fraud or scams so far this year.