Malé, Maldives – Police have revealed detailed findings of a corruption investigation involving former Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan Waheed, accusing him of orchestrating a pre-planned extortion scheme targeting expatriate workers.

According to police, the case was launched on 20 March 2025. Five individuals have since been arrested and remain in custody. Investigators analysed confiscated mobile phones, conducted multiple interrogations, and reviewed extensive CCTV footage, confirming that the operation was unlawful and premeditated. The case was forwarded to the Prosecutor General on 11 May.

The incident centres on a raid conducted on 12 March at a residence in the Maafannu ward of Malé. The raid targeted expatriate workers and was carried out by three immigration officers – Ibrahim Ahmed, Ahmed Lassan, and Mohamed Alsan Ismail – none of whom were authorised to conduct such operations. The raid was conducted without following standard immigration procedures or paperwork and without involvement of the official Task Force.

Following the raid, which resulted in the seizure of a large sum of cash and the detention of seven expatriate workers, the officers informed then-Controller Shamaan Waheed. Police say Shamaan was aware of and involved in the plan from the beginning.

The next day, Immigration received a letter claiming to be from the sponsor of one of the detained workers, requesting his release and listing a phone contact. Police have confirmed that the letter was fake. Shamaan immediately instructed staff to process the release.

Late on 13 March, the worker was released and handed over to Hassan Sheheshaan – later identified as the cousin of officer Ibrahim Ahmed. The cash recovered from his house was also returned in a white plastic bag.

CCTV footage shows Sheheshaan placing the bag under his motorbike seat. He then met Ibrahim Ahmed nearby and handed over the money. Ahmed and the worker were seen travelling in an Immigration vehicle around Malé before the worker was dropped off near the same house that had been raided – without the money.

The vehicle then returned to Immigration headquarters where Ibrahim Ahmed retrieved his parked motorbike and returned to the parked vehicle, removing the white bag containing the cash.

Ahmed and Lassan were later seen entering Shamaan Waheed’s residence carrying the bag. After three minutes inside the apartment, they exited without it.

Police say the evidence proves that the money was handed over to then-Controller Mohamed Shamaan Waheed. The investigation has concluded, and charges are expected to follow.