Accuse, attack and rob bank clients in daylight

A case being heard in Dubai Criminal Court reveals a novel method adopted by cheats to con unsuspecting victims.

The suspect allegedly first stalks the victim. Then he overtakes him and bends down as if attempting to pick-up something he accidently dropped on the street. He immediately confronts the victim accusing him of picking up cash from the street that belonged to him. A brawl ensues and the victim is robbed of his belongings.

An Indian messenger, 32, MRA, testified in court how he was beaten up and robbed after the suspect stalked him and later pretending to pick up something from the street, assaulted and knocked him unconscious.

MRA said on the noon of August 2, 2012 he had visited his friend who in a cosmetic shop in Al Sabkha area. “My friend Mujeeb handed me a laptop bag which contained Dh183,825 in addition to cheques.

He asked me to collect the cheques from different banks. I went to RAK Bank and collected Dh6,500 then proceeded to the nearby Dubai Islamic Bank and collected Dh6,000 and then to Mashreq Bank where I collected a cheque valued Dh100,000. I put Dh30,000 in my trouser pocket and the rest of the amount in the bag… I went back to my friend who was in Emirates NDB to hand over the amount.

“As I approached a multi-storey car park a man who was walking behind overtook me and bent down pretending to pick-up something from the ground and turned back asking me if I have picked up his money.

"I answered in the negative and continued walking. As I reached a building entrance the accused pushed me into the building despite my resistance. I fell on the floor. There, three other men joined him and attacked me.

“One of them beat me on the back of my neck and I fell unconscious.

About three minutes later, when I woke up, I discovered the attackers had stolen the bag with the money. I notified my friend and the police. A week later I received a call from the police and I recognised the main attacker who pushed me into the building at the identification parade,” he testified.

Mujeeb M, 34, Indian, testified that being busy he had asked his close friend to collect the cheques.

The suspect has been involved in similar attacks earlier, according to initial probe.  He was recently sentenced to 3 months in jail followed by deportation term for a similar attack associated with theft case.

The court will reconvene on February 18.

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