Man Arrested In Addu City Over Facebook Marketplace Scams

A 33-year-old man has been arrested in Addu City on suspicion of defrauding multiple people through scams carried out on Facebook Marketplace.

The suspect, identified as Abdulla Mil’han of Funoas, S. Meedhoo, was detained in the Meedhoo district of Addu on Saturday under a court warrant. The arrest was made during a joint operation conducted by the Anti-Scam Centre and Hulhumeedhoo Police.

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Police said the investigation linked Mil’han to several scams in which he posed as a seller on Facebook Marketplace and obtained money from victims without delivering goods. He is also accused of enlisting others into the scheme, offering them financial benefits in exchange for using their bank accounts to move the funds.

Authorities stated that at least three cases involving Mil’han have been confirmed so far, with losses amounting to more than MVR 16,000. He was remanded in police custody for 15 days on Sunday as investigations continue.

The arrest comes amid a rise in scams involving online marketplaces. The police have advised the public to verify account details before making transfers and to make payments only after receiving purchased items.