Maldives Police Service, on Tuesday, said Zaidhan Ahmed Hashim, 28, G. Sinamale’ 1 13-05, a suspected serial scammer who stands accused of defrauding multiple people.
Zaidhan was most recently arrested on June 17th, along with his 30-year-old wife, Afrin Aktar, a Bangladeshi national. Their arrest stemmed from purchasing goods worth MVR 100,000 using fake bank transfer slips from multiple shops.
The Police, on Monday, announced that the couple had been released, adding they have managed to recover MVR 80,000 in goods purchased using fake, which have been returned to their respective owners.
The Police did not disclose the reason behind their release.
Sun questioned the Police over Zaidhan’s repeated releases from custody. In response, Police, on Tuesday, said Zaidhan was released as doctors have advised him to travel overseas for medical care.
“Zaidhan was released because doctors advised him to urgently travel overseas for medical in accordance with the regulations established for the purpose following consultations with the relevant parties,” he said.
The Police did not disclose how long Zaidhan has been released for.
The couple was arrested following a report filed by a shop in Hulhumale’ on May 16 regarding the couple submitting fake bank transfer slips to purchase goods from them on multiple occasions throughout that month.
The Police investigation uncovered the couple used fake slips to defraud not just the shop that lodged the complaint, but also multiple other shops in both Hulhumale’ and Male’. CCTV footage showed Zaidhan taking fraudulently purchased goods to two apartments he rented from the Hiyaa towers.
The Police also seized evidence from both apartments.
According to the Police, they are currently investigating 11 fraud and deceit cases involving Zaidhan, while the trials of two cases involving him are ongoing.
The 28-year-old with a criminal record for fraud and deceit was arrested on May 22 for scamming food delivery app, Foodies, using fake bank transfer slips. Representatives from Foodies said Zaidhan placed 30 food orders via their app using fake payment slips, collectively worth over MVR 9,000.