Real estate agent Hassan Mamdooh (Mandey) was detained by Maldives Police Service yesterday on accusations that he had defrauded apartment buyers.

The police detained Mamdooh under an arrest warrant that was issued on Tuesday. His arrest was made while he was allowed to travel abroad by another court order.

The court order that removed all restrictions on Mamdooh’s mobility will be appealed at the High Court by Prosecutor General’s Office, say reports.

Mamdooh is the local agent for the contractor which is executing the construction of K Park Residence in Hulhumale’.

Korean Developer Hanbo Company and Urbanco (formerly known as Housing Development Corporation – a company completely owned by the State) alerted the police on Mamdooh’s deceitful dealings in selling apartments to several buyers.

In previous statements made to local media, Hanbo Company said that Mamdooh fraudulently sold apartments and accepted funds from the buyers making false promises to them.

According to Hanbo, Mamdooh collected funds from innocent buyers and deposited the money in a bank account at Bank of Maldives.

The bank account at Bank of Maldives which was in the name of Hanbo was opened by Mamdooh by forging the signature of the company’s Managing Director, said Hanbo.

Hanbo said that in Maldives, the company operates its bank accounts only at the State Bank of India.