Prosecutor General (PG)’s Office has filed charges against Ali Farish, the owner of Mash'ar Hajj and Umrah group for allegedly defrauding people by collecting money under the false pretext of arranging Umrah trips.

According to the PG Office, Farish faces six charges of fraud and money laundering. Despite not having permission to organise Umrah trips in 2024, his company reportedly collected money in MVR and USD from individuals and groups but failed to arrange the trips or return the funds.

The total amount allegedly embezzled is MVR 391,072 and USD 8,100. Investigators claim that the collected money was misused and transferred to Farish’s personal accounts and companies, including Tria Private Limited and Halftone Maldives Private Limited.

The case is still under investigation, with authorities also looking into the involvement of Mash'ar Private Limited, another company suspected of failing to fulfil its Umrah travel commitments. The PG Office has stated that further legal action will be taken based on the findings.