The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has formally requested the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) to pursue criminal charges against three individuals involved in the theft of USD117,000 from an individual's bank account.
A case was reported involving the unauthorised transfer of USD117,000 from an individual's account to two separate accounts on February 13. Speaking at a press conference, Inspector of Police and Head of the Financial Crime Unit Yoosuf Looth announced that the investigation into the matter has been concluded. He also disclosed that USD102,000 of the total sum, including recovered assets, has been reclaimed.
In another instance of fraudulent activity, where over USD32,000 was withdrawn from an association's account, Looth revealed that the transaction originated from Maafushi Prison. He said that the investigation uncovered that the funds were distributed among 40 individuals' accounts, alongside the recovery of numerous items from the prison premises.
Additionally, Looth addressed the fraud case involving the Road Development Corporation (RDC), stating that three suspects have been interrogated, with much of the investigation nearing completion. He explained that the company's funds were circulated among its senior executives during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently misappropriated through fraudulent means. He also assured that the case will be handed over to the PGO for further examination.
Previously, MPS reported 216 transactions from the RDC account to one of the accused individuals, each of which necessitates separate scrutiny due to involvement from multiple parties. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that some former government officials and associated companies had also come into possession of the funds.