12 Foreign Nationals Under Investigation Over Unlicensed Dollar Trading, Says Ihusan

The authorities are investigating 12 foreign nationals over alleged involvement in unlicensed US dollar trading following information received through a police hotline, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan has said.

Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, Ihusan said nine of the 12 individuals under investigation had been placed in immigration detention.

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The Maldives Police Service previously established a task force hotline to allow members of the public to report suspected unlicensed foreign currency trading.

Ihusan also highlighted cases where a Maldivian sponsor or employer comes forward to claim an expatriate only after the worker has been detained by authorities.

He criticised the practice, saying Maldivians who bring foreign workers into the country have a responsibility to monitor them rather than leaving them without supervision and intervening only after law enforcement action is taken.

The minister said legal action would be taken if investigations establish that the individuals were involved in large-scale unlicensed dollar trading.

He added that action would also be taken against Maldivians found to have facilitated such activities by providing cover or other support to foreign nationals.

Ihusan said enforcement operations had also highlighted cases of negligence by employers towards foreign workers. He warned that Maldivian employers found to have been negligent could face a fine of MVR 50,000 for each expatriate.