Kingston Holdings fined MVR 1.2M for selling entrusted motorcycles

Kingston Holdings Maldives has been fined MVR 1.2 million for selling motorcycles that were entrusted to them by another company, New Traders, for display in their showroom.

According to the Trade Ministry's business portal, Ahmed Athif Hassan is the Managing Director of Kingston Holdings Maldives, with a Hassan Hussain also serving on the board of directors. The Ministry portal indicates that the company operates various businesses under different names.

Police have previously issued public notices seeking victims in cases involving allegations of fraud and extortion against Kingston related to motorcycle sales.

The Civil Court last week ruled that Kingston, registered with New Traders, sold motorcycles intended for display at the Kingston showroom. New Traders had sought a lump sum of MVR 1,219,650 in this case.

Kingston did not appear for the hearing, and the case was decided in its absence.

Civil Court Judge Ahmed Abdul Matheen ordered Kingston and its MD, Ahmed Athif Hassan, to pay MVR 1,219,650 immediately.

This ruling comes as police began investigating a fraud case involving the company last year. At that time, some individuals who spoke to Sun reported paying Kingston for motorcycles for several months without receiving them. Others claimed to have been deceived by the company, which allegedly provided various dates for motorcycle delivery. The issue escalated, leading to protests in front of Kingston's shops.