Police have recovered MVR 94,000 in cash that was mistakenly handed to the captain of the wrong vessel and returned it to its owner.
The money, intended as salary payments for employees of a resort under development in Dhaalu atoll, was placed in an envelope and handed over to the captain of a vessel docked at T-Jetty on the 10th of this month.
The error came to light on the 12th, when the intended recipient reported that the envelope had not been received.
After the case was reported to Maafannu Police, officers reviewed CCTV footage from the area. However, the footage did not clearly identify the vessel involved. Police then conducted inquiries in the area where the vessel had been docked, questioning several individuals before identifying the vessel and contacting its captain.
According to police, the captain informed officers that the vessel was in Vaavu atoll and that an envelope delivered by an individual had been placed in the vessel’s locker. The captain handed over the cash to police on Monday night.
Investigators later revealed that the envelope had been given to the captain of a different vessel than the one originally intended.
Police have urged the public to exercise caution when transporting and handing over large sums of cash.
Police advised individuals to verify the identity of the person receiving the money, confirm the vessel’s name and contact details, and obtain written or digital confirmation of the transaction.
Police said that taking such precautions is an important step in preventing significant financial losses and avoiding similar incidents in the future.
