Four men accused of embezzling almost Dh500m from Emirati VIP

Four men have been accused of embezzling hundreds of millions of dirhams from the office of an Emirati VIP.

Court records claimed the fraud came to light in March last year and was reported to Bur Dubai police station.

Prosecutors said those involved in the embezzlement include a Emirati general manager, 35, who remained at large.

Police also charged a Lebanese administrative manager, 45, an Egyptian engineer, 59, and a Jordanian marketing manager, 45.

Dubai Court of Misdemeanours heard that the Emirati defendant worked in the VIP’s office. He was charged with embezzling more than Dh315 million while his Lebanese accomplice was charged with stealing Dh5.4m.

Prosecutors also charged the Egyptian with taking Dh32.5m and the Jordanian with stealing Dh700,000.

Much of the money is believed to have been spent on items including expensive cars with VIP registration plates.

During the hearing, prosecutors accused the Emirati defendant of withdrawing nearly Dh80m from two bank accounts belonging to the VIP.

They said the man, who earned a monthly salary of Dh50,000, also forged documents to award himself an additional Dh79,000 pay a cheque drawn from a company owned by his employer.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese defendant is accused of having forged the VIP’s signature on a Dh500,000 cheque he issued to himself. The Jordanian marketing manager forged a Dh50,000 cheque, the court heard.

All four men are charged with embezzlement, forgery and misappropriation of funds.

All four men have been charged with embezzlement, forgery and misappropriation of funds. One is still at large