Charming expat cons women into selling cars

Suspect would lure victims by impressing them with his sweet talk

Acharming Arab expat with a sense of humour in Dubai was arrested by Dubai Police for duping several women — and men — of millions of dirhams in a well- oiled car sale scam, Dubai Police said.

Major- General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander- in- Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, said the scammer along with three other men had managed to fool several women— and some men too— into selling or buying cars. “People must check themarket value of cars and verify paper work and documents before buying cars. The victims trusted the suspects and fell prey to a scam,” Maj Gen Al Mansouri said.

The Arab suspect posed as a European wealthy person and gained his victims’ trust by showing off luxury cars. Al Rashidiya Police Station received six complaints after the suspect had scammed victims of more than Dh1 million. Colonel Mohammad Al Merri, Deputy Director of Al Rashidiya Police Station, said the case was complicated because the victims had already signed on documents, months before reporting to the police. “The car’s agent used a different name and posed as a European man. Most victims were new residents in the country. Three othermen helped the suspect in forging the documents,” Col Al Merri said in statement. Colonel Abdul Rahman Al Habtoor, Director of Criminal Records at Al Rashidiya Police Station, said the defendant used to build a relationship with his female victims to fool them. “He used to take them to parties, driving luxury cars to convince them that he is a rich person,” Col Al Habtoor said.