Askoi Hajj Group had forwarded funds to purchase tickets for their pilgrims to local agent Samha International, police say.

The Maldives Police Service on Monday issued a statement on their investigation into a fraud case that victimized over 160 pilgrims, that were due to fly for umrah this week.

The police said funds given to Samha International were handed over to another company, named DB Travels. The company had issued counterfeit flight tickets to the pilgrims, the investigation thus far finds.

Police on Monday arrested Hassan Nihan, owner of Samha International, while attempting to fly out of the country through the international airport in Gan of Addu City.

The case is being investigated by the police’s economic crime department.