Police Arrest Two Men for Knife-Point Theft and Extortion

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has arrested two people who stole money from another person by using a knife to threaten them.

Police stated that the case was reported on August 31. According to the report, the suspects contacted the victim through Meta Messenger, claimed to have nude videos of them, and lured the individual to Hulhumalé Phase 1. There, the suspects threatened the victim with a knife, took the money in their account, forced them into nudity to record videos, and demanded additional payments.

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The suspects were identified as Mohamed Sameer, 23, from Seeson Manzilm, Haa Alifu Filladhoo, and Ali Haisal, 37, from Thudi Araairu, Laamu Gan. They were arrested on 4 September in a police raid on their Hulhumalé Phase 1 apartment.

During the raid, officers recovered three mobile phones, three wristwatches, a drone, a fishing pole, two sunglasses, a silver necklace, and a ring, which police believe were stolen from multiple victims. Six knives were also seized from the apartment.

When presented before the court, Haisal was ordered to be detained for four days, while Sameer was remanded in police custody for 15 days.

Police confirmed they are also investigating two other cases with a similar method of operation, in which suspects used social media to claim possession of nude material, coerced victims into further compromising situations, and attempted extortion.

MPS has urged anyone who may have been targeted in similar incidents to come forward.