Dubai Police arrest gang behind AED 12 million luxury oud theft
Suspects used fake princess ruse as officers recover stolen goods within 12 hours
Dubai: Dubai Police have uncovered and dismantled an eight-member gang, including a woman, involved in the theft of luxury oud valued at AED 12 million from a merchant.
Officers arrested four suspects and recovered the stolen oud within 12 hours of the crime being reported. Red Notices have been issued for the remaining four suspects, including the woman who impersonated a princess during the robbery.
The gang used an elaborate scheme involving a fake princess and a staged VIP reception to deceive the trader.
The incident began when two gang members visited a luxury oud boutique in a local market, convincing the merchant that a prominent princess was due to arrive in Dubai and intended to purchase a large quantity of premium oud.
Believing the story, the trader prepared a selection of his finest products and arranged a meeting with the supposed royal.
To execute the plan, the gang rented a modern villa, hired security personnel, and organised a high-end reception and dinner to create the impression of a royal visit.
During the meeting, the merchant presented the oud he had brought in his personal bags. The gang asked him to transfer the items into alternative bags they claimed were more suitable for the princess. The trader complied.
Alleged princess
The alleged princess then arrived, met the trader, and requested to proceed with the purchase.
After she left, the gang asked the merchant to wait while the oud was returned to his bags, promising to contact him the following day to complete the transaction.
Instead, they replaced the luxury oud with ordinary wood and handed the bags back to him. When the trader tried to contact them the next day, their phones were switched off. Upon opening the bags, he discovered the theft.
Following a report to the Command and Control Centre, the General Department of Criminal Investigation formed a specialised task force, which launched an immediate investigation using advanced technologies and surveillance systems.
Within 12 hours, officers arrested four suspects and seized the stolen oud from an apartment before it could be disposed of.
Dubai Police later identified the remaining suspects and confirmed they had left the country shortly after the crime. Red Notices have been issued to facilitate their arrest.