Three Arrested Over MVR 60,000 Facebook Boat and Engine Scams in Noonu Atoll

Three individuals from Noonu Atoll have been arrested in connection with two separate scams on Facebook Marketplace that defrauded victims of a total of MVR 60,000 under the pretext of selling a boat and an engine, according to the Maldives Police Service. The suspects were identified as Ali Affaan (32A, Heenage, Holhudhoo), Mohamed Hameed (34A, Plaza, Holhudhoo), and Hassan Ali (34A, Vinus, Velidhoo). Police stated that Hassan Ali was arrested from Velidhoo last Friday in connection with a case where he allegedly obtained MVR 30,000 through deceit after conversing with a victim on Facebook Marketplace on 2 September regarding the sale of a boat. Ali Affaan and Mohamed Hameed were arrested from Holhudhoo last Thursday in connection with a separate case where they allegedly obtained MVR 30,000 through deceit on Facebook Marketplace under the pretext of selling an engine on 7 August. All three individuals have been sentenced to 15 days imprisonment. Police confirmed that both cases are currently under investigation. The arrests come amid a broader crackdown on online fraud. Police noted that three individuals were arrested this month on suspicion of obtaining MVR 32,000 through online deception. According to the latest police statistics, MVR 597,327 and 85 Laari were lost in 36 scam cases last week, of which MVR 262,868 and 89 Laari were recovered. Police urged the public not to click on unknown links or share OTP codes, and to verify the authenticity of parties involved in online transactions. They also advised against sharing personal information and banking details with other parties.