An individual was pepper-sprayed and mugged by a group of four on Wednesday morning.

The mugging took place at around 7:30, in the Maafannu ward of the capital city. Two people on a motorcycle is reported to have blocked the victim and grabbed the money, as two others approached from behind. One is reported to have pepper-sprayed the individual.

The owner has since spoken to some media outlets, and said that he believes that this was a ‘very well planned out crime’ and confirmed that stolen money would amount to over MVR one million.

He said that the money was from a Western Union branch on Chaandhanee Magu, which he manages. He said that he works from home after the office closes in the afternoon and that the money stolen were from Tuesday night. He added that the stolen money included US and Singaporean Dollars, as well as Maldivian Rufiya.

Police have also confirmed that they are investigating a mugging that took place on Orchid Magu on Wednesday morning, but declined to comment further on the matter.

There was a similar incident earlier this month as well, well-known businessman Abdulla “Kane Seytu” Jaleel, was also mugged after being pepper-sprayed. His muggers had also struck Jaleel on the head with a hammer. Jaleel said that the money stolen from him that day included, MVR 900,000 to 1.1 million and USD 26,000.