Charges sought against Kingston Holdings for defrauding over 150 customers

The police have asked the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) for criminal charges against Kingston Holdings Maldives and the company’s managing director for allegedly defrauding over 150 people who paid to purchase motorcycles from the company.

In a statement on Monday, the police said that the Fraud and Financial Investigation Department completed the investigation into the case, and forwarded it to the PGO for criminal charges on March 3.

The police said they asked for charges against Kingston Holdings Maldives, as well as the company’s managing director, Ahmed Athif Hassan.

The case was reported to the police in August 2024, and involves incidents dating back to November 2023, when the company reportedly defrauded at least 158 customers.

Investigators found that the victims paid total MVR 7,193,764 and USD 8,398.18 to Kingston Holdings Maldives to purchase motorcycles that they never received.

The case resulted in financial damage to many, and sparked protests outside the company’s Male’ showroom.