Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The Dubai Criminal Court has acquitted an African woman accused of collaborating with accomplices to detain, assault, and rob an Asian man inside a fake massage center in Al Muraqqabat. The court ruled in favor of the defendant after doubts arose over the evidence presented. The case unfolded when the victim reported being attacked and confined in a room for 10 hours. The man had responded to a WhatsApp advertisement offering a massage for Dh200. Upon arriving at the location, he grew suspicious upon being greeted by an African woman. His suspicions were confirmed when three men and another woman appeared, locked the doors, and assaulted him. According to his statement, the attackers robbed him of Dh1,000 in cash and withdrew Dh100,000 using his credit card. They also allegedly threatened to release compromising photos if he reported the crime to authorities. The police arrested several suspects, including the African woman. Despite the complainant identifying her in photos, the court found discrepancies in the identification process. The defendant denied her involvement, and the lack of conclusive evidence led to her acquittal. Meanwhile, Dubai authorities continue to warn residents against engaging with dubious online ads and emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity. ICA/Expat Media
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