Police seek charges in Umrah fraud case
Police reported that the group had taken money from 27 individuals but failed to provide the promised service.
Maldives Police Service has requested the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) to prosecute a group accused of defrauding more than MVR 500,000 from people last year under the pretext of facilitating Umrah pilgrimages.
According to a police statement on Saturday, the chargesheet against a company named Al-Mashar Pvt Ltd was filed on January 19.
Police reported that the group had taken money from 27 individuals but failed to provide the promised service.
The prosecution request includes the owner of Al-Mashar Pvt Ltd, Ali Fareesh, as well as Tria Pvt Ltd and Halftone Maldives Pvt Ltd.
The issue follows a similar incident last month, in which 23 people who travelled to perform Umrah through a group called Al-Hijra were stranded in Mecca due to a lack of return tickets.
Additionally, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs is investigating another case involving a group that withdrew funds in US dollars from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) for Umrah but did not carry out the pilgrimage.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs reported that 19 companies violated regulations related to Umrah pilgrimages last year. These companies were fined MVR 5,000 each. Under existing regulations, organisations that violate rules can face fines ranging from MVR 1,000 to MVR 1 million. The Ministry also has the authority to suspend or revoke permits.
