Immigration fraud: another officer arrested, details of all suspects released

One more officer of the Maldives Immigration has been arrested in connection with the case involving suspected illegal profiteering from foreign workers, and the details of all those arrested in the case have been made public.

So far, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case where a foreigner was released with MVR 530,000 on the instructions of the former Controller General of Immigration, Mohamed Shamaan Waheed.

Regarding the case, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that in connection with the case where some immigration employees are suspected of misusing their official authority to obtain illegal benefits from foreign workers, on the night of 20 March 2025, they arrested Mohamed Alsan Ismail, 21, native to Buruni island of Thaa atoll, Ibrahim Ahmed, 37, native to the capital Malé City, and Hassan Saheshan, 47, native to the capital Malé City.

While the former Controller General Shamaan was arrested on 21 March 2025, Ahmed Lassaan, 40, from native to the capital Malé City, was arrested on 23 March 2025 under a court order.

In addition to this, the police institution highlighted that in connection with the case, two individuals have been barred from leaving the country under a court order. They also stated that a phone belonging to a family member of Shamaan has been confiscated under a court order.

In relation to the case where a foreigner was released with MVR 530,000 on Shamaan's order, the police institution has also searched the house where Shamaan resides, where a large amount of money and electronic equipment were confiscated.

Further investigations are currently underway in connection with the case.