Fake cops kidnap worker in Dubai, held while taking Dh2,500 ransom

Dubai - They grabbed him by his shirt and forced him inside the car.

Three men posed as policemen to kidnap a worker and rob him, a Dubai court has heard. They were charged with kidnap, robbery and impersonation, as they stood trial at the Dubai Court of First Instance.

They were arrested red-handed while taking a ransom amount of Dh2,500 for the worker's release. According to court documents, the case dates back to August 15 and was registered at Al Muraqabbat police station.

A 26-year-old Emirati and a 28-year-old Jordanian approached the Bangladeshi worker, claiming to be Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers. They allegedly forced the complainant into a car driven by a 21-year-old Jordanian man.

The 26-year-old complainant said: "I was walking to my friend's place when they stopped me in Al Rigga. They asked me what I was doing there at a late hour."

A car then arrived. "They claimed they would take me to the police station. One of them grabbed me by my shirt and forced me inside the back of their car."

The defendants drove to Bur Dubai, where they switched their car. "I was made to sit in the back seat of the other car. They forced me to hand over my wallet and took Dh80 out of it. They told me to pay Dh5,000 if I didn't want to be taken to the CID. I got slapped on the neck when I said that I didn't have that amount. They told me to call a friend and arrange for half the amount at least."

The electrician then called his friend and asked him for Dh2,500. "After some time, I learned from my friend that he got the money. They drove to him and the main accused stepped off to take the money. The police arrived and arrested him near a restaurant in Al Rigga."

The other defendants tried to speed off but the police chased after them and apprehended them.

The complainant's friend, a 32-year-old Bangladeshi cleaner, corroborated his statement. "I informed the police when I got a call from him. I saw red marks on his neck when the police freed him from the defendants' car."

A police sergeant told the investigators that they watched from a distance while the witness went to meet the kidnappers. "When we arrested the main defendant, his accomplices tried to flee in their car but we caught them shortly later."

The trial will continue on November 8.

mary@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai