The Criminal Court has confirmed that 16 charges have been proven against Hussain Shifau in connection with fraudulent business transactions involving invalid telegraphic transfers (TT) sent to overseas companies.
Originally, the Prosecution filed 23 charges against Shifau, seeking a life sentence for conducting business using invalid TTs. The court today found sufficient evidence for nine counts of providing invalid documents knowingly and seven counts of fraud. Additionally, Shifau faces seven counts of money laundering, though the sentence for these charges has not yet been announced.
The court has scheduled the determination of punishment for the proven 16 charges for next week. Meanwhile, Shifau has been ordered to remain in jail until the sentencing.
Previously, the Prosecutor General’s Office indicated that a prison term totaling 38 years and a fine of USD 123,844.54 (MVR 1.9 million) could apply if all 23 charges were upheld. During the trial, the prosecution offered a plea agreement, but Judge Ali Nadheem declined to acknowledge it.
Shifau, through his company “Kingdom of Fruits,” conducted fraudulent transactions with overseas firms in 2023. After initially being detained, he fled the Maldives following his court release. Interpol issued a Red Notice, and Shifau later returned voluntarily to the Maldives, where he was arrested again and released after his passport was confiscated.
While his case was pending, Shifau was appointed Senior Political Director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Welfare, but he was dismissed once the media publicized his legal issues.
