Bogus Fewa employee, accomplice accused of swindling Dh750,000 of bank

The duo allegedly forged documents like a salary certificate, employment card, Emirates ID, passport, bank statement and residence visa to get a loan.

By Marie Nammour/senior Reporter

Published: Wed 24 Jun 2015, 2:14 AM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 2:47 PM

Dubai - An Iranian businessman and an Afghani runaway faced charges on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to swindle a bank of Dh750,000.

According to prosecution records, the runaway, identified as M.A., allegedly gave a false name to one of the bank’s employees when applying for a loan. M.A. allegedly forged documents like a salary certificate, employment card, Emirates ID, passport, bank statement and residence visa.

M.A. and the businessman, M.S. 33, also allegedly used the forged documents by submitting them to the bank’s employee. The pair has been charged in the Court of First Instance with attempted fraud, forgery and use of forged documents.

The incident was reported in January at Al Muraqqabat police station.

An Indian sales officer said M.A. applied for a loan. “He was with another man. He wanted a Dh750,000 loan. He first submitted copies of documents and later submitted other copies.”

The witness said the bank’s administration found later that the accused falsely claimed he worked for the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa). “He was reported to the police after finding that the documents he presented were forged.”

An Emirati manager confirmed the officer’s statement. “M.S. was involved in many fraud cases. He obtained credit cards in others’ names and consequently several criminal complaints were filed against him.”

According to a letter from the Fewa, the salary certificate and employment card were not issued from the authority.

The Emirates ID, bank statement and the residence visa were all fake.

Six bank cards, including five credit cards, issued from different banks and bearing bogus names, were seized from M.S.

When searching M.S.’s place, the police found two forged residence cards which he used to obtain a credit card, for which a criminal case was filed against him.

M.S. and M.A. are believed to have committed the crimes together.

The police staged a sting operation to nab M.A., but he managed to escape. They arrested M.S. The hearing has been adjourned to July 5. - mary@khaleejtimes.com