3 jailed in UAE over WhatsApp prize scam

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3 jailed in UAE over WhatsApp prize scam

Ras Al Khaimah - RAK Police arrested the first convict after he duped a woman of Dh42,000.

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Published: Sat 8 Dec 2018, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Sun 9 Dec 2018, 9:33 PM

Three African men have been jailed in Ras Al Khaimah after siphoning off cash from unsuspecting residents by leading them to believe they had won huge prizes. The victims were asked to transfer cash to claim their prizes.

The RAK criminal court jailed the main defendant to two years in jail and the other two to a month. They will be deported at the end of their jail terms.

As per court records, the RAK Police arrested the first convict after he duped a woman of Dh42,000. He contacted her via WhatsApp using a European phone number. He told her that she had won a huge cash prize and she needed to deposit the amount to claim the prize. When she didn't get her 'prize money', she realised she had been duped and lodged a police complaint.

Investigations led the police to the convicts, who were arrested and charged with forgery and fraud.

Two of the convicts claimed that they were not aware of the fraud and that they merely received the money on behalf of the first.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com


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