Over 34,000 individuals paid MVR 2 million to access sexually explicit images, including child porn

Over 34,000 individuals were found to have paid around MVR 2 million in subscription fees to more than 500 different Telegram channels seized by Maldives police for distributing sexually explicit materials, including child pornography.

The police said in a statement on Monday that it has seized 571 Telegram channels in the crackdown on digital sex crimes.

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 subscription fees to the channels, with those running the channels collecting around MVR 2 million in subscription fees alone.

Also on Monday, the police shared the identities of three suspects arrested last month for running nine of the channels.

They are:

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

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.

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.