Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

A 10-member criminal gang has been arrested in a raid of two villas in Fujairah after police were alerted of illegal activity there when the properties racked up an abnormally high electricity bill of Dh23,000. Police launched an investigation following the suspicious electricity bill at the villas that were originally rented out for only two people. The investigation revealed that the villas were occupied by the Asian gang involved in money laundering and electronic fraud operations. Arabic news outlet Emarat Al Youm reported that the group created fake websites to lure victims with instant and huge profits. During the raid, police seized multiple computers and phones that the gang used to carry out their illegal activities. The group faced trial at the Fujairah Federal Court, and all ten defendants were sentenced to five years in jail. They were also fined Dh5 million. The court also fined a company Dh5 million for sponsoring the gang’s residence visas, and providing them with the villas and vehicles. ICA/Expat Media
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