Maafushi Prison installs a modern body scan machine to combat prison-based scams

A modern body scan machine has been installed at the Maafushi Prison as part of efforts to combat a rise in prison-based phone scams.

The newly-installed machine – which the Maldives Correctional Service says is the first of its kind at the Maafushi Prison – was inaugurated by Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan.

Correctional Service said the machine, supplied by the Homeland Security Ministry, was installed to boost security at the prison.

މާފުށީ ޖަލުގައި އަލަށް ބެހެއްޓި ޒަމާނީ ފެންވަރުގެ ބޮޑީ ސްކޭނިންގ މެޝިން، މިނިސްޓަރ އޮފް ހޯމްލޭންޑް ސެކިއުރިޓީ އެންޑް ޓެކްނޯލޮޖީ އޮނަރަބަލް ޢަލީ އިޙްސާން އިފްތިތާހު ކޮށްދެއްވައިފި. މިއީ، ސަލާމަތީ ކަންކަން ހަރުދަނާ ކުރުމަށް ބެހެއްޓުނު ފަހުގެ ބޮޑީ ސްކޭނިންގ މެޝިނެއް، އަދި މާފުށި… pic.twitter.com/VvSJ8j2UiJ

— Maldives Correctional Service (@CorrectionsMv) February 28, 2026

The installation of a body scanner at the Maafushi Prison comes amid a rise in phone scams in the Maldives, including those run from the prison using smuggled phones.