Private Firm Accused of Fabricating Documents in 410 Million Rufiyaa Claim Against State

MALE’, — A private company submitted forged documentation in an effort to extract hundreds of millions of rufiyaa from state institutions, according to a sweeping audit report that recommends a formal criminal investigation into the firm.

The Audit Office report, released Tuesday, details a series of lawsuits filed since 2020 by Center Enterprises (“Cent-Enterprise”). The company is attempting to claim 410 million Maldivian rufiyaa (approximately USD 21 million) in alleged unpaid bills and mounting accrued penalties for goods and services purportedly supplied to public bodies between 2006 and 2010.

According to the audit, the legal actions brought by the company span six separate claims targeting multiple state entities and public sector enterprises:

• Ministry of Environment: MVR 31.99 million claimed for 3,627 water tanks and associated non-payment penalties.
• Department of Medical Services (DMS): Three distinct claims totalling over MVR 188 million:

  • MVR 25.33 million for eight water tanks and penalties.

  • MVR 83.94 million for medical equipment and penalties.

  • MVR 79.49 million for a separate consignment of medical equipment and penalties.

• Malé City Council (formerly Malé Municipality): MVR 168.81 million sought for various goods and services.
• Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL): MVR 20.92 million claimed for a fire truck.

Auditors highlighted severe irregularities in several of the company’s demands. The report noted that details regarding the MVR 79.49 million medical equipment claim had previously been flagged in a 15 October 2025 audit, which concluded the demand was completely fabricated using fraudulent paperwork.

Furthermore, the Civil Court of the Maldives had already ruled against the firm regarding the MVR 20.92 million fire truck claim, establishing that MACL had fully settled the payment years prior.

“The evidence suggests a coordinated attempt to seek public funds for goods and services that were either never delivered, or for which the state had already rendered full payment,” the report stated.

The Auditor General concluded that the scale and nature of the filings indicate intentional deceit designed to defraud state coffers.

The report recommends that law enforcement authorities launch a full-scale criminal investigation, perform a detailed forensic analysis on all documentation submitted by Center Enterprises, and prosecute any individuals found complicit in the scheme.