Criminal Court Sentences Man to 109 Years in Landmark Fraud Case
Hussain Shifau, a defendant accused of orchestrating fraudulent telegraphic transfers (TT) to overseas companies totalling USD 123,844.54
The Criminal Court has sentenced Hussain Shifau to a total of 109 years in prison and imposed a fine of MVR 7 million after finding him guilty of multiple financial crimes involving fraudulent telegraphic transfers (TT).
Shifau was convicted of 23 counts of obtaining goods through deception, after the court determined that he had fraudulently acquired goods worth approximately MVR 1.9 million by sending fake TT slips to various businesses. The charges comprised nine counts of document forgery, seven counts of fraud and seven counts of money laundering. He was found guilty on all counts.
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According to the verdict, the court sentenced Shifau to 70 years’ imprisonment for the money laundering offences, 30 years for fraud, and nine years, 10 months and 24 days for forgery. The combined sentence of 109 years is believed to be the longest prison term ever imposed on a Maldivian national.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Ali Nadheem also ordered Shifau to pay compensation to the Civil Court within six months. In addition, the court ruled that he must pay a fine of MVR 7 million within one year.
The prosecution noted that the state had previously entered into a plea agreement with Shifau. However, the Criminal Court rejected the agreement, ruling that it did not adequately reflect the seriousness and circumstances of the offences.
Shifau had been appointed to a political position under the current administration while the allegations were pending. He was later removed from the post after details of the case emerged in the media.
Shifau was initially arrested in 2023 but was subsequently released by the court. He later fled the country, prompting an international search. A red notice was issued by Interpol, and Shifau was re-arrested upon his return to the Maldives.
