Victims of housing scam asked to report to police
Victims of the scam claim that they paid MVR 50,000 as booking fees for properties in Hulhumalé
Inside Sealife Global\'s office in Male\'
Maldives Police Service has asked the victims of Sealife Global’s reported scam to file complaints at the institution, along with documents.
In a statement released on Thursday, police said that its Economic Crime Department is investigating the case of a housing scam related to Sealife Global.
It noted that a number of individuals are seeking to press charges against the company over the matter, and added that investigation shows that ‘there are even more victims’ in the scam.
Noting that it requires more information for the investigation, police asked the victims to file complaints at the institution, along with documents showing interactions with Sealife Global.
Sealife Global, tasked with developing 3,000 housing units, is accused of scamming a number of people, after taking the initial payment for the apartments allocated within the first phase.
While reports indicate that around 300 individuals had booked to purchase properties from the apartments allocated within the first phase, with an initial payment of MVR 50,000, they are seeking a refund. The payment was made under the condition that it ‘would be refundable at any time’.
The five-year project between the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and Sealife Global was announced back in 2014; it is a joint venture between the company and two Dubai firms.
Victims of the scam have filed cases at the Civil Court, including a class action suit against the company, the state-run HDC and the Economic Ministry.
