Trio arrested on suspicion of stealing nearly MVR 38,000 in scams

In a series of coordinated efforts to address the growing threat of digital and financial fraud, the Maldives Police Service has arrested three individuals linked to separate scam incidents. These investigations have brought to light the sophisticated, yet deceptive, nature of crimes targeting citizens through online platforms. By acting swiftly to apprehend the suspects and secure remand orders, the authorities aim to disrupt these illicit activities and deter potential perpetrators. The police investigations have identified three distinct cases, involving different suspects who employed various tactics to deceive victims. Azheem Saeed, 36, from Fehivinamaage, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo, was the first to be apprehended on March 12. He is suspected of hacking into a social media account and creating a fraudulent profile to deceive a victim out of 3,500 Maldivian Rufiyaa. Following his arrest, he was remanded into custody, with his current detention period scheduled to conclude on April 27. The second case involves Ali Shafaz, 31, from Golden Gate, Dhoodigan, Gn. Fuvahmulah. He was taken into custody on March 27 on allegations of hacking a social media platform to impersonate another individual, successfully scamming a victim out of 4,500 Maldivian Rufiyaa. Shafaz has been remanded in police custody, and his current remand period is set to expire on April 12, allowing investigators more time to compile evidence regarding the breach.