Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

A General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFADXB) official said people who encounter fake bank notes must report the matter to the proper authorities, specifically the police.

“These instances must be directed to the police. Like the Dubai Police. They have all the (expertise), the knowledge how to go about investigating these cases,” GDRFADXB-Performance Audit head Capt. Mohammed Issa Al Marri told Gulf Today.

A view of the Dubai skyline.

The counterfeit cash was brought to the attention of Al Marri on the sidelines of the just-concluded “Fraud Conference Middle East” held at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from Feb. 23.

The conference was attended by 400 anti-fraud practitioners and professionals from the region and elsewhere.

It was last Friday evening when this reporter learnt about the possible circulation of fake banknotes through a church mate of hers in Sharjah  on frequent overseas business trips.

“I was at the Dubai Duty Free Shop when the cashier told me that what I handed him was a fake Dhs100.00. The money looked genuine. I went to an exchange center and I was advised the same. You see, you cannot really spot any difference unless you subject the bill to the proper scanning. Are you aware of this?”

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What the man did—as he had kept the receipt for his taxicab fare from Sharjah to the Dubai International Airport—was report the matter to the management of the taxi company of what transpired.

He was told that “their drivers have so far encountered (fake money) in their day-to-day operations.”

“I was encouraged to report the matter to the police because they said their drivers have also been getting fake bills.”

Meanwhile, at the closing session of the fraud conference on Tuesday, the delegates came up with two recommendations that established the principle of transparency and integrity against all forms of false and bogus activities and documents, among others, to meet the needs of the region.

First, the importance of commitment and incubation of governmental and private institutions for anti-fraud awareness programs and campaigns.

Second, the significance of increasing the Emiratization rate in the Financial Audit Authority (FAA).

Conference co-organizer Association of Certified Fraud Examiners president/chief executive officer Bruce Dorris said: “It is important for citizens to see their government’s dedication to transparency, and through hosting this event, GDRFADXB and FAA have set a strong, ethical tone at the top.”  

GDRFADXB general director Maj. Gen. Mohamed Ahmed Al Marri said: “GDRFADXB supports the conference. It comes as a translation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai vision of the necessity of consolidating best practices of governance and transparency, enhancing its role in protecting gains and continuing the sustainable development process witnesses in the (UAE).”

He said the conference “constitutes a global platform for exchanging experience in anti-fraud.”