A raid has been launched at Maafushi Prison, following intel reports of scams and acts of terrorism.

The raid was launched on Tuesday evening and making the announcement on Twitter, Maldives Correctional Service revealed that the operation was provoked by intel reports that a group of individuals was carrying out acts of terrorism and smuggling contraband into the prison complex to scam others.

The operation is being conducted with the joint efforts by the corrections authority, Maldives Police Service (MPS) as well as the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

Officers will be raiding the Maafushi Prison complex during the operation.

This comes at a time reports have been circulating among the public that most of the scams in the Maldives root from prison facilities, where inmates illegally smuggle phones into the facility and make scam calls to rob people.

Following a surge in scams, the police Economic Crime Department has also established a “100 days action plan” to crack down on these cases.

The 100-day plan was launched following increasing reports of scams this year, where scammers call victims in the name of banks, government institutions or agencies to trick them into transferring funds. These scams have been circulating via social media links as well.

Eight actions have been compiled in the plan including distributing posters, leaflets and fliers alongside face-to-face reach efforts and producing more television ads to increase awareness regarding rising scams.

Authorities have also been sending texts to the general public via SMS, to spread awareness under the initiative.

The initiative will also see the introduction of a special training programme to speed up the investigation of the police institution and ensure the investigation is steered in the appropriate direction.

In addition to this, the action plan also includes efforts to crack down on scam calls as well as efforts to increase public awareness through forums, religion lectures and sermons.