Dubai: Arab man steals from online friend in less than an hour after meeting her

Dubai Public Prosecution referred a young Arab man to the Criminal Court yesterday on charges of stealing from a European female friend that came to his hotel after getting to know her for about one hour on social media.

The victim testified before the Public Prosecutor’s Office that she came to know the accused -who came to the UAE on a visit visa- through a chatting application one hour before the theft and told her at the time that he was not fluent in her language and that he wanted to get to know her and have dinner with her.

The woman came to his hotel from Abu Dhabi, only to be surprised by him asking if she had any money with her, she refused to give him any money, and realized his intentions of harassing her. She also stated to the Public Prosecutor’s office that when she tried to leave the room, the accused grabbed her bag and stole AED 7,600 before heading to the bathroom and locking the door behind him.

She immediately contacted hotel security and Dubai Police who came to the place, searched the accused, and found the money with him after he denied having taken any money from the complainant.