GA. VILLINGILI, MALDIVES — Police have arrested Mohamed Shareef, a 37-year-old man from G. Rosy, for allegedly using fake online payment slips to fraudulently obtain goods from multiple businesses.
According to the Maldives Police Service, Shareef sent fraudulent payment confirmations to various vendors, tricking them into believing he had completed online transactions. Authorities say the scam resulted in the theft of goods worth approximately MVR 1,500 from several shops.
He was taken into custody and later remanded for 8 days following a court hearing.
The use of fake payment receipts has become a growing scam, not only in Villingili but also in the capital Malé, where similar cases have been reported. Police have previously arrested individuals who used this method to fraudulently acquire goods worth thousands of Rufiyaa.
Law enforcement noted that this type of fraud often involves repeat offenders, and investigations are ongoing to determine if Shareef has been linked to other cases.
The police urge businesses to verify online transactions thoroughly before confirming sales or deliveries, especially when payment is claimed via mobile screenshots or transfer confirmations.
