The Maldives Police Service has formally requested the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) to press criminal charges against the owner of Al-Mash’ar Pvt Ltd, alleging the embezzlement of over MVR 500,000 from 27 Umrah pilgrims.
In a statement issued on January 19, police confirmed that the company had fraudulently collected funds in 2024 under the pretense of arranging Umrah travel.
Key Developments:
Primary Suspect: Ali Farish, owner of Al-Mash’ar Pvt Ltd, residing at M. Haveeree Fini.
Additional Companies Under Investigation: Tria Pvt Ltd and Halftone Pvt Ltd, allegedly involved in similar fraudulent activities.
Case Origin: Complaint filed by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs on April 17, 2024, citing violations of Umrah travel regulations and failure to obtain required permissions.
Investigation Findings: Evidence indicates that the company collected substantial funds for travel arrangements that were never fulfilled, causing financial losses and emotional distress to the affected individuals.
The case is now under review by the Prosecutor General’s Office, with legal proceedings expected to follow.