European defaruded of Dhs103,000 in fake rental contract deal in Dubai

Mohammed Yassin, Staff Reporter

The Dubai Appellate Court upheld the ruling of the Court of First Instance, sentencing an Arab national to three months in jail and a fine of Dhs103,000 after being convicted of fraudulently obtaining the fine amount from a European national by deceiving him with a fake apartment rental ad on a specialised electronic site.

In detail, a European national filed a report in March 2023 complaining that he was defrauded and robbed of Dhs103,000, adding that he had asked a real estate broker to search for an apartment for rent in the Business Bay area through a specialised electronic site.

After several days, the broker reportedly contacted him and informed him that a person was offering an apartment for rent, which  matched his desired specifications.

The victim added that the real estate broker informed him that the suspect claimed to be a Gulf national and that the apartment belonged to his brother, who owned several residential units and villas in various areas of Dubai, and that he was authorised to rent them out.

An agreement was reportedly made to inspect the apartment, and when the victim headed to the building with the broker, they met the suspect at the entrance, who then accompanied them to the apartment.

The victim allegedly inspected the apartment, agreed to rent it, and handed over Dhs3,000 until the suspect brings the rental contract and apartment key.

The victim continued that after several days, the suspect informed him that the rental contract was ready, so he handed him over Dhs100,000 and received the apartment key and the rental contract which signed by the suspect, who asked him to sign the contract as well.

But, when the victim went to the apartment the next morning and tried to unlock the door, he discovered that the lock had been changed so he contacted the suspect who promised to send someone to change the lock the following day, but he switched off his phone.

The victim checked with The Land Department, where it was discovered that the contract was fake and that the name and signature of the apartment owner differed from the actual owner.

A police officer clarified that he showed the suspect's picture to the victim and the witness and they both identified him.

It was found that the suspect was an Arab national with a criminal record, and he was arrested. On being interrogated, he denied the crime, but the evidence proved his crime.