A childhood friendship has led an electrical engineer into legal trouble after receiving a suspicious Dh2,100 bank transfer from an unknown person for renewing a trade license.

The Indian electrical engineer claims he was approached by his school friend, who requested his bank details for a money transfer from another individual. The sender was an Indian business owner seeking to renew his company’s trade license. Records show that the business owner had contacted a 28-year-old Indian worker via WhatsApp, who promised to renew the license for Dh10,000.

In his police complaint, the business owner stated he had transferred Dh2,100 as an initial payment, believing the money was sent to the worker. However, when the worker became unreachable and the transaction was incomplete, the business owner reported the issue to the police.

Initial investigations revealed that the money was deposited into the engineer’s account. When questioned, the engineer alleged he had provided his bank details to his old friend. The case was referred to the public prosecution for further questioning, where prosecutors accused the engineer and the worker of swindling, embezzling, and possessing money illegally. They were referred to the Dubai Primary Court.

The engineer appeared in court, unlike the worker, who was tried in absentia but later surrendered. Advocate Hani Hammouda Hagag, defending the 28-year-old suspect, argued that his client and the complainant were friends and had no criminal intent. Hagag stated that the matter had been resolved between them, with the complainant waiving his accusation and providing a written waiver. He requested the court acquit the defendant.

The electrical engineer pleaded not guilty, stating he was unaware the money was obtained illegally or connected to an illegal transaction. The primary court convicted the defendants of swindling, embezzlement, and possessing money illegally. However, citing leniency based on the complainant’s written waiver, the court imposed a one-month suspended imprisonment and ordered them to jointly pay a fine of Dh2,100.

Dubai prosecutors have appealed the primary judgment, seeking harsher punishment and deportation for the convicts. Lawyer Hagag also appealed, aiming to dismiss the prosecutors’ appeal and overturn his client’s conviction. He stated that the victim paid the fine on behalf of both defendants and waived his rights, and his client was also a victim in this case. The defense will seek to prove his innocence before the higher court.

A hearing before the Appeal Court will be scheduled soon.

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