Woman cons man through Facebook

A woman allegedly conned a man whom she knew through Facebook claiming she needed US$2,600 to release a million dollar from Dubai Customs.

The victim HA interacted with the woman, who identified herself as FS of Pakistani national via Facebook. After three months of knowing each other, the woman asked the victim for help.

"She told me that she has sent more than a million dollar from London and that the amount was seized by the authorities at Dubai Airport. She has to pay US$2,600 as custom fees for clearance and supported her claim with documents," testified the victim.

The woman asked the man to pay her Nigerian representative in Dubai the 'clearance fees' and gave her representatives' contact details.

The representative called the victim in Iran and asked when he would arrive in Dubai.

"On January 23, I met him in the hotel where I stayed and handed him over the US$2,600 and he told me that he would return it as soon as the money is released from the airport. The following day, I accompanied him to his residential hotel where he asked me to sign on a paper written in English," said the victim.

The victim refused to sign on any paper that he did not understand.

Hotel's assistant manager AA, testified that there was another Nigerian in the room.

According to hotel rules every visitor has to show their identity card. When the assistant manager saw the second Nigerian come down with a bag he stopped him for ID proof.

The Nigerian made excuse and said his ID was in the car.

"I asked him to leave the bag in the reception till he returned but he refused. Then I offered to carry the bag to the car. As I insisted, he left the bag and ran away," testified the assistant manager.

The bag was kept in the hotel's custody and police was informed.

Within a few minutes, the victim and the Nigerian representative came down.

Both were asked to show their IDs.

HA handed over his passport while the African argued with the manager saying he has already submitted a photocopy of his passport.

While an argument broke between the manager and Nigerian, police arrived in the hotel.

It was found that the African had provided fake documents while booking the hotel room.

HA told the police his side of the story and how he was conned to pay US$2,600.

Police confiscated the bag and recovered US$30,700.

The other man remains at large. The court will reconvene on July 21.

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