Couple suspected of using fake slips to defraud shops released

A couple arrested on suspicion of defrauding multiple businesses out of hundreds of thousands of Rufiyaa have been released from police custody.

28-year-old Zaidhan Mohamed Hashim, and his 30-year-old wife Afrin Aktar were arrested by the police on June 17.

Their arrest stemmed from 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.

In a statement on Monday, the police said they have managed to recover MVR 80,000 stolen from the shops.

Zaidhan, who has a history of arrests in similar fraud cases, was initially remanded in police custody for 15 days, while Afrin was remanded for five days.

The police said that they have since been released from custody due to lack of cause to keep them further detained.

The case is under further investigation by the police.