Dhs2.8m stolen from bank client’s account

Hamza M Sengendo, Staff Reporter

An Asian salesman, a businessman and their colleague who siphoned Dhs2,867,500 from the bank account of a Canadian man were sued on Tuesday.

The victim who resides abroad requested an American manager, 40, who works in the UAE to obtain for him a SIM card so he could keep following up with updates regarding his bank account, records showed. The salesman, 29, sent an e-application to the telecom services provider claiming the American had agreed to transfer the ownership of the SIM card to the company owned and managed by him (the salesman).

He submitted a fake No Objection Letter bearing a bogus signature and an Emirates ID copy with a false photo attributed to the American. The transaction was processed and the card’s ownership transferred.

Shortly, the salesman contacted the telecom services provider that he lost the SIM card. He applied for a replacement SIM card. This was meant to block the Canadian from receiving messages about his account. The salesman contacted the Abu Dhabi-based bank posing as the Canadian and subscribed to the bank’s internet banking services. He received secret codes on the replacement SIM card to confirm his identity.  He started making cash transfers from the account to another at a Dubai-based bank belonging to a technology company owned by the Asian businessman, 51. Their colleague, 45, withdrew it gradually from ATMs.

The Canadian’s bank account contained dirhams, dollars and Euros. They converted the foreign currencies to dirhams and started siphoning them. They left Dhs386, $9 and less than a Euro respectively.

The activities started from June 10, 2018. The salesman faces forgery, fraud and embezzling Dhs2,867,500. The businessman who provided his company’s bank account to be used is accused of abetting the crimes.

The colleague on the other hand is accused of handling Dhs1,664,300 (part of the money) with reasonable cause to perceive it was obtained through illegal means. The Criminal Court hearing continues on Jul.7. On the record, the American said the Canadian was his friend. “He contacted me on Jul.8 saying the SIM card I registered in my name for him was no longer working. The telecom company told me its ownership was changed.

“I was shown documents that were used in impersonating me at the telecom company’s branch in Deira,” explained the American, adding that he complained to Al Muraqqabat Police Station for action.