Two individuals were arrested on June 17 under court orders by police for allegedly conducting business transactions at multiple stores using counterfeit bank transfer slips. The suspects have been identified as 28‑year‑old Zaidhan Mohamed Hashim, residing in G. Sinamale′ 1, 05‑13, and 30‑year‑old Bangladesh national Afrin Akhtar.
Police investigations began in mid‑May, after a complaint filed on May 16 concerning fraudulent purchases at a store in Hulhumalé. Subsequent inquiries uncovered that Zaidhan had obtained goods illegally with fake slips on at least three occasions: once in Hulhumalé, and twice in Malé. Bank records show the illicit haul included items valued at MVR 36,467 in Hulhumalé, MVR 31,150 in one Malé store, and MVR 5,817 in another.
CCTV footage revealed Zaidhan transporting these items into two rental apartments at Hiyaa Flats, where searches uncovered evidence linked to the fraud scheme. This incident adds to a longstanding pattern of financial crimes attributed to him. Reports confirm that in May he also used forged slips to scam the Foodies delivery app of over MVR 9,000—a crime that led to a 15‑day remand by Criminal Court.
Zaidhan is now facing charges in 11 separate cases involving suspected fraud, with two proceedings ongoing in court. During the June 17 remand hearing, he was ordered to be detained for 15 days, while Afrin Akhtar received a five‑day remand.
This case reflects a broader increase in fraudulent bank‑slip schemes in the Maldives. The Maldives Police Service and Bank of Maldives have recently issued public warnings regarding forged transfer slips in business transactions.
