Man steals briefcase with Dh1.8 million cash from Dubai expat

Dubai - The man reportedly had runaway accomplices who posed as officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

A 28-year-old Iraqi man on a visit visa has been charged at the Dubai Court of First Instance for allegedly robbing an Indian vendor of Dh1.8 million.
The man reportedly had runaway accomplices who posed as officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). They assaulted the complainant and snatched his money briefcase, public prosecution records show.
A complaint was filed at the Naif police station, following which the defendant was taken into custody.
The 25-year-old vendor told the prosecution investigator that a man - who served as a witness in the case - told him about an Iraqi man selling mobile recharge cards with discounts.
"Since our shop sells electronics and mobile cards, we contacted the defendant. He told me to bring Dh1.8 million as the price for the quantity he had.
"My boss gave me the money, and I went to the defendant's studio flat in Naif after 1.30pm. After meeting him, the defendant wanted us to hand the bag over. But my colleague and I told him to strike the deal first."
It was not long before two Arab men barged in, pretending to be CID officers, he added.
The complainant and his colleague got beaten up, and the money briefcase was snatched from his hand.
Then, the defendant allegedly tossed it from the balcony, with the accomplices on the ground catching it. The vendor and the witness chased the defendant and eventually got hold of him. However, the accomplices managed to flee with the money.
A police corporal said the robbery was reported in Freej Al Murar.
"We went to the flat and found the defendant restrained by the vendor and other Indian men. However, the accused denied the charge. He claimed it was his friends who did the job."
The trial has been adjourned to September 11.
mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai