A list of paper companies involved in money laundering has been compiled with an order on government companies to refrain from conducting any transactions with them.

The Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) sent a letter and list of 30 businesses to all government companies on Tuesday. This was done on the Finance Ministry's directive.

Adhadhu has obtained the letter and list of the "paper companies" compiled by the Homeland Security Ministry.

According to the letter, the Homeland Security Ministry had warned about paper companies used by criminal gangs for money laundering.

"It has been noted that government-owned companies are conducting transactions with [such] companies. This is facilitating gangs to receive money from the state and gain more power," the letter said.

The letter added that this could allow the paper companies to appear to be legitimate and that the Finance Ministry has directed to take action against government companies that engage in transactions with such companies in the future.

Companies accused of money laundering

1. BCCG Pvt Ltd
2. Luxe Building Co Pvt Ltd
3. Old Town Auto Service
4. Aamaal Holdings Pvt Ltd
5. Solitaire Enterprises Pvt Ltd
6. S and L Real Estate Pvt Ltd
7. Green Enterprises
8. Twilight Maldives Pvt Ltd
9. Magneto Pvt Ltd
10. Golden Era Pvt Ltd
11. Hive Enterprises Pvt Ltd
12. IS Company Pvt Ltd
13. Freshco
14. Sea Coin Pvt Ltd
15. Zero Cool Pvt Ltd
16. Gold Bricks Construction Pvt Ltd
17. Gold Bricks
18. I Suppliers Pvt Ltd
19. Monaco Maldives Pvt Ltd
20. Majestic Holdings Pvt Ltd
21. Royal Aluminum and Glass Pvt Ltd
22. Sea Esta Travels Pvt Ltd
23. Big Gates Pvt Ltd
24. Eco Air Cooling Service
25. Monaco Investment
26. Udumathi
27. Avinax Maldives Pvt Ltd
28. S.S.A Company Pvt Ltd
29. Sea Float Pvt Ltd
30. Heaton Maldives Pvt Ltd

Some of these businesses are in the process of liquidation.

Statistics show that organized crimes committed by gangs in Male' are increasing. Some of their businesses include shops, guesthouses and safaris.

"Some of these people have circulated millions of Rufiyaa," a person with information on the matter said on condition of anonymity.

In November, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan threatened to amend the laws and take the toughest measures to put an end to gang crimes.

The government had drafted a bill to prevent gang crimes. It gives special powers to the police to enter places controlled by gangs without a court order.