Victims of a reported housing scam orchestrated by Sealife Global have filed a class action suit against the company, the state-run Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and the Economic Ministry.

Victims of the scam claim that they paid MVR 50,000 as booking fees for properties in Hulhumalé. The funds were paid to Sealife Global, the company assigned by the HDC to develop housing units.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for said booking fees and rental value. The case also asks the Civil Court to order HDC to give victims of the scam first opportunity to purchase flats, once they are built.

The case also seeks to have the respondents, Sealife Global and the HDC, pay for loans taken out by the victims and any amounts accumulated as interest.

The case further states that because Sealife Global was assigned the project to construct housing units, through agreement by the HDC and the Economic Ministry, the latter institutions must also be held responsible.

Sealife Global had taken funds from 280 individuals for flats that are yet to be built. Awareness campaigns for the scam say that Sealife’s managing director has been in hiding and that their offices have been shut down.

The case has also been filed with the Maldives Police Service and the Anti-Corruption Commission.