Emirates tickets fraud gang held

Dubai police have arrested several persons accused of selling Emirates air tickets for much cheaper prices after obtaining them through stolen visa cards, inflicting up to Dhfive million losses on the airlines per year.

An Emirates official said those involved in the fraud operations were inside and outside the UAE and that those at large have been reported to Interpol.

Persons involved in the scam have promoted the tickets through blackberry SMS while persons found to have travelled on those tickets would be asked to pay the full rate or they would be prosecuted, said Abdullah Al Hashimi, security chief at Emirates, Dubai’s official airlines and one of the world’s fastest growing carriers.

“Three parties were involved in these fraud operations—the seller, the intermediary and the buyer…some of them have been arrested in Dubai and others are wanted by Interpol,” he told Dubai-based Emirat Alyoum daily.

“These operations have cost the Company between Dhfour million and five million a year…but we have managed to recover nearly 50 per cent so far.”

He said Emirates had coordinated with the economic crime section at Dubai’s criminal investigation department to seize those culprits, adding that many passengers have travelled on those stolen tickets. He said they all would be asked to pay the full rate or would be reported to the police. “This is because the law does not protect the fools,” he added.

Hashimi said Dubai police arrested four Indians and Pakistani men last week with the help of a passenger who suspected there was something wrong with his ticket. He said the four had sold Emirates air tickets with a value of around Dh50,000 for only Dh20,000.

“Those wishing to travel on Emirates are requested to obtain tickets through legal means, including the Company’s official website, offices and agents in order to avoid trouble and prosecution,” he said.

Emirat Alyoum said one buyer had been arrested for purchasing more than 100 tickets at the same time. “He was arrested because the prosecutor considered that this does not reflect good intention,” it said.