Tag: Abdul Latheef

Maleesha Hajj Group owner denies fraud charges in court

Maleesha Hajj Group owner Islmail Abdul Latheef ,who is being accused of fraudulently collecting funds from Maldivians who wanted to perform Hajj in Mecca last year, has denied charges against him in the Criminal Court.

Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed today asked Ismail Abdul Latheef to state the reasons as to why he had denied the charges. Latheef requested he be given time to respond.

Judge Abdulla Mohamd asked Ismail Abdul Latheef to state his reasons during the next hearing held.

At today’s hearing the state was given the opportunity to produce evidence against him, however the state attorney refused to produce the evidence before Ismail Abdul Latheef stated his reasons as to why he was denying the charges.

The PG has alleged that Latheef had fraudulently obtained MVR 8 million (US$519,000 ) from many people after they made payments to the Maleesha Hajj Group to travel to Mecca to perform Hajj.

Latheef was arrested in Colombo, Sri Lanka in November 2012, a month after police issued an Interpol red notice to locate and apprehend him. Authorities were reported to have arrested Latheef while he was in the Mount Lavinia Hotel in Colombo.

Hajj groups are authorised by the government to provide transport and accommodation for pilgrims in Mecca, as well as offering guidance in helping them complete the religious rituals.

At the time, Sri Lankan police told local newspaper Haveeru that Abdul Latheef was suspected of being involved in a Sri Lankan money laundering ring as well, and that he was also suspected of collecting money from Sri Lankans.

Latheef’s father is the head of the Athama Hajj Group.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Police release owner of fraudulent Maleesha Hajj Group to house arrest

Police have released the 42 year-old Head of Maleesha Hajj Group Abdul Latheef, who was arrested on charges of fraudulently collecting MVR 11.9 million (US$77,0000) from clients of his Hajj Group, under house arrest.

Police Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef told Minivan News Abdul Latheef was switched to house arrest two days ago due to his medical condition.

‘’Police made the decision to release him after considering his medical condition, on advice from doctors who examined his case,’’ Haneef said.

In late September police alleged that Abdul Latheef had defrauded 175 people of MVR 12 million (US$778,000) after they made payments to the Maleesha Hajj Group to travel to Mecca to perform Hajj.

The owner of the business allegedly collected MVR 68,000 (US$4400) from each person, who wished to go to Mecca this year to fulfill the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.

The issue was reported to police after clients of Maleesha Hajj Group noticed that the group had not called them or responded to any of their calls, and that the Maleesha Hajj Group office on Hulhumale’ was closed.

By the time police began looking for Abdul Latheef he had fled from the Maldives, and his whereabouts were unknown.

On October 2, 2012, Interpol issued a red notice to locate and apprehend Abdul Latheef and on November 25, police located and arrested him at the Mount Lavinia Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

At the time, Sri Lankan police told local newspaper Haveeru that Abdul Latheef was suspected of being involved in a Sri Lankan money laundering ring as well, and that he was also suspected of collecting money from Sri Lankans.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Allegedly fraudulent head of Maleesha Hajj Group in Malaysia, reveal police

Superintendent of Police Mohamed Riyaz has told parliament’s Government Oversight Committee that police have received reports that the Head of Maleesha Hajj Group, Ismail Abdul Latheef is in Malaysia.

Police began searching for 42 year-old in late September after it was alleged that he had defrauded 175 people of MVR 12 million (US$778,000) after they made payments to the Maleesha Hajj Group to travel to Mecca to perform Hajj.

Riyaz said police were trying to verify the information concerning Latheef’s whereabouts.

Officials from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and police were summoned by parliament’s Government Oversight Committee to determine the progress they had made in locating Latheef, and the missing money.

Latheef was reported to police after people who had made the Hajj payment realised that the group’s office had been closed for days without any response.

On October 2, Interpol issued a red notice to locate and apprehend Latheef.

Attending the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Clients of the company were not able to go to Mecca this year to perform the religious obligation.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)