Remand ordered for two suspects in fake transaction slip case

Authorities have set the detention period for two individuals arrested in connection with fraudulent business transactions involving invalid bank transfer slips used at multiple shops.

On Sunday, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that those arrested in connection with the case are Zaidhan Mohamed Hashim, 28, and Afrin Akhtar, 30, from Bangladesh. The two individuals were arrested on June 17 under a court order.

The police institution revealed that a complaint was filed on May 16 regarding a case where goods were purchased from a shop in Hulhumalé using invalid slips on various dates throughout May 2025.

During the investigation of the case, the police discovered that Zaidhan had also fraudulently obtained goods from two other shops in Malé City using invalid slips. CCTV footage showed him bringing goods, believed to have been purchased using invalid slips, into two apartments of a Hiyaa flat he had rented. The police said that when these apartments were searched, items related to the investigation of the case were found.

Further investigation of the case revealed that goods worth MVR 36,467 were fraudulently obtained from a shop in Hulhumalé using invalid slips, and goods worth MVR 31,150 were obtained from a shop in Malé. In addition to this, the police highlighted that it was discovered that goods worth MVR 5,817 were obtained from another shop in Malé using invalid slips.

In addition to this, the police noted that when Zaidhan, who was arrested in connection with the case, was presented to court for a detention hearing, he was ordered to be detained for 15 days. The Bangladeshi national was ordered to be remanded for five days.

Zaidhan is currently under investigation into 11 cases of suspected fraud obtaining money and goods. The police institution has also revealed that two cases against him are currently ongoing in court.