A sum of MVR 94,000, which was mistakenly handed over to the wrong individual, has been recovered and returned to its rightful owner.

The police stated yesterday that a case was reported on the 12th of this month regarding a lost envelope containing MVR 94,000. The envelope had been handed over to a boat captain at the T-Jetty on the 10th of this month but failed to reach the intended recipient.

Upon receiving the report, Maafannu Police reviewed CCTV footage. However, as the boat could not be identified from the footage alone, officers visited the area to question individuals and gather information. Through these efforts, they successfully identified the vessel and contacted its captain.

"When contacted, the captain informed the police that the boat was in Vaavu Atoll and confirmed that an envelope brought by someone was inside a locker on the boat. The captain handed over the money to the police on the night of February 23rd," the police said.

The investigation revealed that the money was intended for the salaries of employees at a resort under development in Dhaalu Atoll. It was discovered that the individual tasked with delivering the money had mistakenly handed it to the captain of a different boat instead of the intended one.

In light of this incident, the police have urged the public to exercise greater caution when handling cash and entrusting it to others.

"When handing over money, it is crucial to verify the identity of the recipient, confirm the name of the vessel, and ensure you have contact information. Additionally, obtaining a written receipt or a digital confirmation of the handover are steps that can be taken to minimize such occurrences," the police advised.

The police further emphasized that being attentive to such details and gathering necessary information is a vital measure to avoid significant financial loss and prevent similar situations from arising.