Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

An African couple, aged 35 and 30, were arrested and referred to criminal court for holding a man hostage, brutally beating and robbing him of over Dhs20,000 with the help of other runaway accomplices.

The incident date back to last July, when  the victim was lured through a fake massage advertisement on the internet. 

He contacted the mentioned number to book an appointment.

On the same day, the victim head to the apartment’s destination where he will receive the massage, but was surprised to find an African woman who pulled him  inside the apartment without any notice.

The victim found himself surrounded with three women and tried to scream as  loud as he can after realising the situation he was in.

One of the defendants grabbed a pillow to silence the scared victim, and threatened to kill him with a knife if he doesn’t remain quiet.

The women began to beat the victim, asking him to hand his phone, wallet and credit card details.

He was later stripped naked and tied up inside a room until the robbery operation is completed.

The defendants managed to steal Dhs20,500 from the victim’s credit card, as well as his phone and wallet which contained Dhs50 in cash.

They held the victim hostage for one hour until the transactions were done, then gave him back the empty credit card and phone and let him go.

Police successfully identified the defendants and immediately apprehended and charged them with robbery and assault.