The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Hamza M Sengendo, Staff Reporter

A salesman and his accomplice accused of stealing Dhs2.3 million have been cleared of the charge by the Criminal Court. They convinced the jury they were framed.

The Arab salesman, 22, and his ex-fugitive accomplice allegedly ensnared a Swiss investor, 44, and his Fijian colleague, 42, into a trap after convincing them that they had cheap dollars, the court heard on Feb.25.

The salesman and his accomplice allegedly said they were in a hurry and wanted to exchange $700,000 at less than the market value, offering a 10 per cent discount. The colleague talked to the investor about it.

The investor and the colleague planned to resell them and bag proceeds. The colleague anticipated a 2 per cent profit. The investor convinced an Indian relative, 27, to lend him Dhs2.3m and share the 8 per cent. Both parties first met inside the colleague’s flat in Oud Al Muteena. The salesman was hesitant. He said he was worried since he and his accomplice were mugged by Russians. They decided to go to the colleague’s flat.

There, he refused to enter and claimed he was still worried as he had left the dollars in his car downstairs. They calmed him. He went down to bring the dollars. He returned empty-handed making the same excuse. He went again down and returned saying he was still worried. He started searching the whole flat’s rooms while claiming he feared there were other people hiding inside. He went down the third time to bring them.

He returned empty-handed and suddenly punched the investor’s face. His accomplice punched the colleague’s face and seized his arms behind the back. He picked a glass and vowed to smash it on the colleague’s head.

Both threatened to kill the investor and his colleague if they resisted or sought help. They stole the money, in addition to five mobiles worth Dhs18,200 belonging to the investor, colleague and an elderly friend.

The investor did not complain until a month later when his relative asked him about his swollen face. He claimed before police and prosecutors that he feared incriminating his relative in the illicit money exchange deal.

The salesman argued, “I only punched the colleague for insulting Islam after we refused to eat the meat he served during a meeting to strike a trade deal with the investor.” The court has cleared them of theft and issuing death threats. However, it imprisoned them for one month plus deportation and a Dhs10,000 fine each over assault.