Anti-Corruption Commission of Maldives (ACC) has stated the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal amounts to USD 91.9 million.
In a detailed statement issued regarding its probe into the MMPRC corruption scandal, ACC has revealed six separate cases are under investigation with regard to what is described as the biggest recorded corruption case in Maldivian history.
One such case is an investigation into the alleged involvement of employees of Bank of Maldives (BML) in the corruption scheme. ACC is also investigating concerns raised in the Financial Intelligence Report and Suspicious Transaction Report by Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), regarding terrorism financing through money laundering. The case has not been forwarded to investigative authorities and instead is being probed by ACC as it has been identified the actions seem to be the result of a specific suspect exerting undue influence, according to ACC.
In addition, the statement revealed although investigation shows USD 77.5 million were paid for islands and lagoons leased via MMPRC, only USD 12.5 million entered the corporation's bank accounts. With regard to the latter, ACC plans to summon individuals who are connected to the case, who have fled to other countries, in order to carry out further investigations.
ACC has also revealed it is investigating a case whereby USD 1 million, connected with the MMPRC corruption scandal, has been deposited to an account of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, at Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB). ACC also revealed investigations into alleged involvement of parliamentarians, who have received large sums of money connected with the case.