In the course of investigating the theft of a van belonging to the Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), police have uncovered a large-scale scam operating from within the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.

This was disclosed in a press conference held by the Maldives police yesterday.

The theft, reported on May 7, involved the MACL van being taken from the airport to Hulhumalé and then brought to Malé, where it was hidden in a garage at a house in Henveiru.

Superintendent of Police Mohamed Daud revealed that the investigation led them to a garage on the ground floor of Eeramge in Henveiru, where the van was found.

During the search, another vehicle stolen from Immigration about a month earlier was also discovered.

The police have arrested two individuals in connection with the scam: Mohamed Haisham, an employee of MACL, and Ahmed Nizam.

Superintendent Daud explained that nearly 100 vehicles were registered under Nizam's name, with significant alterations making their origins undetectable.

Nizam, who leases the garage where the vehicles were found, also imports vehicles into the Maldives, which includes legitimate registrations.

The investigation revealed corrupt practices in vehicle registrations, including future dates in 2025, 2026, and 2027, without the required garage letters.

Superintendent Daud emphasized that the scam was well-planned and involved collusion with officials from the Transport Ministry.

The police are now working to uncover the full extent of the scam and identify those within the Ministry who were involved.