A man arrested in connection with a social media hacking and bank fraud case has pleaded guilty and said he wants to repay the money obtained through the scam.
Police arrested 10 people in the case involving the hacking of a man’s social media accounts and the theft of MVR 279,600 from the bank account of a business in which he holds shares. All suspects remain in custody.
Four of the suspects were produced before the Criminal Court yesterday after their remand period expired. One of them pleaded guilty during a closed hearing.
The guilty plea was entered by Abdulla Nafiz, Primrose, Haa Dhaalu Vaikaradhoo, who told the court he wished to repay the money obtained through the scam.
The other three suspects presented in court; Ali Imran, Heenamaage, Gaafu Dhaalu Fiyoari, Mohamed Nahad Ali, M. Maleyge and Abdulla Israq, Gulbakaa, Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo, did not plead guilty.
All four were remanded in custody for 15 days.
Earlier, another suspect, Mohamed Ali, Foohivaage, Gaafu Alifu Kanduhulhudhoo, also pleaded guilty in the case. He told the court that MVR 25,242.80 of the stolen money had been transferred to his bank account.
Police said the MVR 279,600 taken from the company’s account had been transferred to several individuals.
Among those arrested are one person from Himmafushi, three from Addu and six from Male', including individuals with prior criminal records.
According to police, six of the suspects are accused of receiving deposits of the stolen money into their accounts. One suspect allegedly used the funds to purchase goods from various businesses, while three others are accused of taking different individuals to ATMs and withdrawing cash through them.
