08 June 2009
Suspect selling fake property arrested
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at ADP has arrested an Arab national as a precautionary measure while attempting to leave the country. He is suspected of marketing and selling residential units which does not existed in his home land. He took amounts from 10 persons who have not reported him to police, as they are not aware that they were conned.
According to Colonel Maktoum Al Shareefi, Director of CID the scam has started when the newspapers published advertisements of a real estate company marketing residential units for cheap prices and easy payment conditions, in different areas in an Arab Country. The advertisement states that the customer should pay 20% of the property price, and pay the balance within 40 months. Al Shareefi said “We are surprised to receive international calls from the suspect’s home land, stating that they are prepared to pay the amounts involved against releasing him. Police would never interfere in such bargains and block the way of justice.
Lt. Col. Dr. Rashid Mohammad Bo Rashid, Head of Organized Crime Section, at ADP stated that as CID is concerned with crime and its detection before it takes place, our Department has investigated the company, its financial status and its staff. The staff of the company consists of three persons only. One of them is the suspect himself, the second is a UAE national as a token partner who receives annual amounts and the third lives outside UAE. The company also has no bank account in local banks. Embassy of the suspect’s country has confirmed that the company has no land or building permits or any documents in that country.
10 people have been deceived, 7 nationals, 2 Syrians and one Swedish. Colonel Al Shareefi, urged all members of the community not to get cheated by attractive advertisements and ensure the activities of such companies.
