UAE expat cons scrap dealer of $270,000

A UAE-based Indian allegedly sent an India-based company empty barrels instead of recycled lead bullion, conning the buyer of about $270,000, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.

The accused SJ conned a scrap dealing company after reading an advertisement by the dealer expressing interest in buying mineral scrap.

The accused, who claimed to own a company in Hamriya Free Zone, communicated with the advertiser by email and claimed to have 150 metric tonnes of recycled lead bullion, supporting his claim with forged bills. 

The accused agreed with the buyer that the value of the cargo should be paid in full based on shipping documents, SK, 56, Indian, manager of the scrap dealing company, told investigators.  The accused then signed the contract and sent it to the buyer by email.

The monetary value of the cargo was transferred to a branch of a local Islamic bank as per the account number the accused had given to the buyer. A receipt signed by SJ was submitted to the buyer. The cargo, consisting of only empty barrels, was shipped from Jebel Ali Port to a port in India.

“We were shocked to find out that the six containers contained only empty barrels weighing 10 metric tonnes. The containers were opened in the presence of customs officers,” said the manager of the India- based company which lodged a complaint with the police.

Police identified the swindler as the holder of the bank account to which the monetary value of the cargo was transferred by the buyer.

After agreeing with the buyer on the deal, the accused had approached an employee at Dubai Customs and had trickily obtained two certificates for the cargo. He then submitted the certificates to Jebel Ali Port against which shipping certificates were issued.
 

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