iPhone scam: Man held for 'bribing' du staff

An Indian employee and other two fugitives allegedly tried bribing a du employee. They offered to give him 20 per cent of the value of 30 iPhones if he helped process documents for the gadgets, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.

According to the accusation sheet, on last October 14 and 18, MSK, 27, and other two fugtivies approached Yousef Ahmad, du employee, and promised to give him six iPhones worth Dh17,190 provided he took care of legal authorisation documents from his employer - Top Red Rose - for purchasing 30 iPhones.

The Prosecution accused him of attempting to take for himself 30 iPohnes worth Dh85,950 by claiming that his employer Top Red Rose is willing to buy the sets. He is accused of offering him six iPhones as a bribe.

He supported his lies by signing on two service application and submitting a photocopy of the company’s trade licence and a passport photocopy of one of the fugitive complicit (British) and a forged blank cheque.

MSK allegedly forged two du application forms by signing them on behalf of his employer and a cheque attributed to Mashreq Bank that carried an account number not of Top Red Rose. He is also accused of using all of the forged documents.

Du employee, Yousef Ahmad, 34, a Pakistani, testified that MSK approached Al Barsha’s du office on October 14 and expressed that his employer was willing to purchase 30 iPhones. He claimed that the company is owned by his British friend and that he is his representative. Ahmad testified: “He told me that if I processed the application he would offer me six iPhone sets. Then later he offered paying me 20 per cent of the total value in cash. He added that should I process other iPhone purchases he would offer me two iPhones for each 10 sets - equivalent of 20 per cent in cash. The client claimed that he has connections with other companies whose owners are planning to close and flee the country and that he would give me the iPhones for a price higher than Dh2,865 per piece.”

Ahmad told his senior and the accused was trapped in coordination with police on October 18 when he approached the office and submitted the applications and signed the purchase contract.

Ahmad Murad, 45, Emirati, government relations manager of du, testified that in coordination with the company’s Swindling Section and Dubai Police the accused was trapped.

Bader Suhail, 29, policeman testified that it was agreed with du’s employee Ahmad to continue dealing with the suspect until they could catch him red handed.

meanwhile, the suspect denied having any relation with the case and said that someone called Furkan (fugitive) had asked him to submit the papers to du against a commission.

The case’s file includes letters from Dubai Police which states that the British partner and manager of Top Red Rose LAS is not in the country since June 18, 2010. Whereas the Emirati partner SDS has criminal records.

The case is adjourned until August 16.

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