MVR 500K scam call: Money traced to 40 different accounts

Over MVR 500,000 stolen in a scam call that originated from a prison has been traced to 40 different bank accounts.

In a press briefing on Sunday, Head of Financial Crime Unit, Yoosuf Looth said the money was stolen from a local non-governmental organization (NGO).

According to Looth, the scam call originated from Maafushi Prison.

Following the discovery of the origin of the call, the police conducted a raid on the prison on March 7, during which it seized 22 mobile phones, including smartphones.

Looth said that the police initially traced the money to the bank accounts of 14 individuals, but the number expanded to 40 as the investigation progressed.

“We have searched a number of properties in connection to this case. We also searched private residences and several individuals, and seized evidence,” he said.

Police and other relevant agencies continue to warn the public against scams.