Malé, Maldives – Ten individuals have been arrested in connection with a case involving the hacking of an individual’s social media accounts and the subsequent fraudulent withdrawal of over MVR 279,600 from a company bank account. The arrests were made during a multi-island operation conducted by the Maldives Police Service.
The Maldives Police Service initiated an investigation after receiving a report of an individual’s social media accounts being compromised, leading to the fraudulent withdrawal of more than MVR 279,600 from a bank account belonging to a company in which the individual held shares.
Operating under a court order, the police launched an operation last Wednesday. The Gang Crime Department, Himmafushi Police, and Addu City Hithadhoo Police collaborated in the arrests.
Individuals Arrested
The individuals arrested in connection with the case are:
- Mohamed Hassan (59) from Goodlife, L. Isdhoo
- Ali Irfan Ahmed Didi (26) from Udha, S. Hithadhoo
- Ali Shiraz (38) from Nanreethige, S. Hithadhoo
- Abdulla Nafiz (39) from Primrose, HDh. Vaikaradhoo
- Mohamed Ali (42) from Foohivaage, GA. Kanduhlhudhoo
- Mohamed Nuhaad Ali (30) from Male’geyaage, M. Malé
- Mohamed Simaadh (38) from Panama, HA. Kelaa
- Ali Imran (38) from Heenamaage, GDh. Fiyoaree
- Abdulla Israg (19) from Gulbahaage, GDh. Thinadhoo
- Mohamed Ibrahim (49) from Meadows, K. Himmafushi
One individual was apprehended in Himmafushi, three in Addu City, and the remaining six in Malé, according to police statements.
Alleged Involvement
Police further detailed the alleged roles of the arrested individuals:
- Six individuals are accused of depositing and subsequently withdrawing funds obtained through the scam into their personal bank accounts.
- One individual allegedly purchased goods by depositing scammed funds into various business accounts.
- The remaining three individuals are accused of facilitating ATM withdrawals by accompanying other individuals to ATMs and receiving the funds thereafter.
Court Remand
Following their presentation to court for remand hearings, Mohamed Ibrahim was remanded for five days, Mohamed Ali and Mohamed Hassan for seven days, Ali Irfan Ahmed Didi for 10 days, and the other six individuals for 15 days.
The Maldives Police Service and the Anti-Scam Centre are continuing their investigation into the matter.
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