Two people were arrested by the police on Thursday, on suspicion of luring their alleged victim to Hulhumale’, and robbing them at knife-point, and them stripping them naked and taking videos, which they then used to blackmail the victim for more money.
According to a statement released by the police on Monday, the incident was reported to the police on August 31.
The suspects in the case were arrested on Thursday, September 4, from their apartment in Hulhumale’ Phase I. They were identified as:
Ali Haisal, 37, Araairu, Thundi, L. Gan
Mohamed Zameer, 29, Seereen Manzil, HA. Filladhoo
According to the police, the two are accused of catfishing a person via Facebook Messenger, and then luring them to Hulhumale’ Phase I by claiming to be in possession of a nude video of them.
After successfully luring the victim to Hulhumale’, they proceeded to threaten them with knives and steal the money from their bank account.
According to police, the suspects then stripped the victim naked, took videos of them, and then used the videos to demand more money.
 During the raid on their apartment, the police found six knives, and also items they believe were robbed from additional victims. This includes three mobile phones, three wristwatches, one drone, one fishing rod, two pairs of sunglasses, a silver chain, and silver ring.
They were presented before a court for their remand hearing on Friday. According to police, the court remanded Zameer in custody of the police for 15 days, and Haisal for four days.
Given the evidence of more potential victims, the police made a public appeal for victims of the two suspects to come forward and report it to the agency.