Maldives Cricket Association Implicated as Zeed International’s Base for Alleged Scam

Reports have emerged that scores of Maldivian medical students looking to study medicine overseas have been defrauded of tens of thousands of US dollars in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Philippines by Zeed International, an alleged group of scammers posing as an international higher education consultancy firm.

The case came to public attention earlier this week after victims and their family members raised concerns on social media. The Maldives Police Service stated that the case was reported the previous day and is under investigation, although no further details were disclosed.

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H & Associates, a law firm providing pro bono legal aid to the victims, is assisting multiple individuals affected by the agency, which has operated under the names ‘Zeed International’, ‘Zeed Consultancy’, and ‘Zeedle’. According to the firm, Zeed has been charging Maldivian medical students three to four times the actual tuition fees for programmes at institutions in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

Misinformation provided by the agency has reportedly led to several students facing visa issues, with some being deported back to the Maldives. In certain cases, the agency allegedly failed to pay universities and hospitals entirely.

The agency is reported to have used the office of the Cricket Board of Maldives in Malé to meet students in person and advertised its services with posters along major roads in the capital. Zeed’s association with the Maldives Cricket Organisation appears limited to the alleged use of its office; the Board includes Pasindu Liyanaarachichi as National Squad Head Coach, Imad Ismail as Development Manager, and Liam McCumiskey as Regional Development Manager.

Zeed International’s Board of Directors was appointed on 13 September 2023 and includes Abdulla Imad Ismail, Aminath Shaheeda, and Mohamed Ra’e Imad.