Dubai trader robbed of Dh358,500 during deal to buy US dollars

Dubai - All of the eight accused have been placed in detention.

Eight men are standing trial at the Dubai Court of First Instance for allegedly robbing a trader of Dh358,500. Public prosecution records show that the incident took place on March 11 when the trader, an Iraqi, was lured into a 'bargain' of purchasing US dollars.
However, an African man, a 27-year-old visit visa holder, punched the trader on the chest and snatched the bag containing the cash from him. His seven accomplices, including an Arab and six Africans, kept watch. The incident was reported at Al Qusais police station. All of the eight accused have been placed in detention.
The trader, a 38-year-old, told the public prosecution that he went to buy dollar bills from the main accused. "The latter had a money exchange office in Al Nahda and he offered me a good rate. I was in my car when an African man came to check the amount I had in a bag. After checking and counting it, he told me to send someone to check the dollar notes in a building nearby."
Shortly after, someone from the trader's side went to an office there. The trader was distracted by two other men who came to his car. The Africans then allegedly snatched the bag from him. "He gave me a strong blow to my chest when I tried to grab the bag. He managed to pull the bag from my hand and fled the scene with his friends. I could not chase them. A policeman arrived shortly later," the trader said.
The police searched the area and apprehended one of the suspects. The trader identified him as one of the men who distracted him during the robbery.
A 33-year-old Iraqi sales manager, who was with the trader at the time of the incident, corroborated his statement in front of the investigator.
A police officer said they arrested one of the suspects in Al Twar on March 22. "He confessed he robbed the cash from the trader. They split it later. He led us to his accomplices. During the interrogation, they admitted to the robbery charge. Some of the cash was found with them."
The trader identified all the eight defendants among other suspects shown to him at the police station.
The trial will continue on September 27.
mary@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Dubai